Revolutionary Chairs: Not Just for Sitters
Did you know that the humble chair has been at the forefront of social change?
From the French Revolution to the Russian Revolution, chairs have been used to
overthrow monarchies, empires, and even office hierarchies.
A Brief History of Chairs in Revolutions
It all began with the French people's use of chairs as projectiles during the
French Revolution. Who needs a guillotine when you have a well-placed chair
to the head?
- French Revolution (1789-1799): Chair-based insurrections became a
staple in the struggle for democracy.
- Russian Revolution (1917): Chairs were used to blockade key government
buildings, forcing leaders to make concessions.
- Chair-filled barricades in the 1960s: The ultimate symbol of
nonviolent protest.