The revolutionary calendar was adopted in France because the National Convention wanted to improve productivity. Reactions to the new calendar were mixed; some hailed it as the end of ignorance and the beginning of reason, while others disliked it because it went contrary to traditional beliefs. The new calendar was adopted in France because the National Convention wanted to improve productivity in France. In Document 1, the Third Estate of Chateau-Thierry requests “that the number of religious holidays be reduced” because they “enchain the activity of a great people, being of considerable detriment to the State, not to mention the numerous disadvantages of idleness” (Document 1). Document 1 argues that religious holidays reduce productivity …show more content…
Document 3, a response the the proposal for the new calendar, argues that “our customary practices, the many connections we have with the practices of peoples in neighboring countries, and the centuries immediately preceding our own, all combine, in this respect, to make an obstacle too imposing to overcome” (Document 3). Document 3 is arguing against the creation of a new calendar. It states that the calendar must overcome traditional values in order to succeed. This implies that many aspects of the new calendar go contrary to tradition. Document 8 states that “the Jacobins were able to overthrow the religion of our fathers and trample underfoot the venerated objects of the people,” and that “the new calendar was an act of despotism forced on the people” (Document 8). Document 8 is violently asserting that the new government is despotic and disrespectful towards tradition. It views the new calendar as a symbol of the government's oppression and violation of traditional values. Document 11 reports that ”Sunday came from heaven; Tenth Day from the Earth. One preached morality to men, and the other nothing; one is linked to great memories, while the other recalls cruel periods” (Document 11). The author of this document dislikes the new calendar and its features. The author craves for a return to traditional ideas and beliefs (eg. Sunday