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Primary sourceDocumentJune 1793

Testament politique d'Olympe de Gouges

Olympe de Gouges · June 1793

Olympe de Gouges's political testament of June 1793, defending the arrested Girondins and bequeathing her heart to the nation.

Her political testament defending the arrested Girondins, written shortly before her own arrest and execution.

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Title page scan of the 1793 French text 'Testament politique d'Olympe de Gouges', printed in serif type with a decorative rule above and below the title. The opening paragraph begins with 'O divine providence!' and is partly faded and smudged.
Olympe de Gouges, Testament politique, 1793.

About this source

What it is

Written by Olympe de Gouges in June 1793, this is a political testament in which she invokes divine providence, defends the imprisoned Girondin politicians, and offers her own life for her country.

Why it matters

Written as the Terror intensified and political enemies of the Montagnards were being imprisoned and executed, this document shows de Gouges defying the dominant faction by publicly defending the Girondins, an act of courage that put her own life at risk.

Look closer

  • What tone does de Gouges take toward 'divine providence' at the start of the text?
  • Why might she offer her own life 'if blood is needed' for the revolution's cause?
  • What does this testament suggest about the political dangers she faced?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Olympe de Gouges on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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