I am not a student of the French Revolution but have always been struck by how well organized they were. I wonder if there was an element of what we now call Communists involved.
They weren’t organized. They didn’t even have their own language. Just a ridiculous accent and they all walked around talking like Maurice Chevalier. “Au au au!”
Whether they meant it or not there definitely was an element of Communism and I have always thought of the French Revolution as the beginning of modern Communism.
Not much logic or thought.
It's also why Stalin killed millions and George Washington didn't.
The American Revolution was based on logic and principles. The French Revolution was based on mindless anger, feelings, and rage - the rage of the stupid and ignorant.The mob that killed the nuns did it without logic - without principle, without even knowing why they were whipped up into such a frenzy. The rage of the mob overtook what little sense they had.
To understand that type of rage - and lack of rational thinking - listen to the interviews with random liberals at Occupy Wall Street. They know they're angry. They 'feel'. They want revenge. They're trying to pick a fight with the police... violence turns them on... it's why Ayers is involved. It's a large group tantrum. Same mindlessness as all totalitarians.
“I wonder if there was an element of what we now call Communists involved.”
Yes, although it wasn’t in the radical mainstream. Cf. Babeuf:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois-No%C3%ABl_Babeuf