Napoléon Bonaparte-proclaimed an end to private property. "The earth belongs to no one; its fruits belong to every one," declared François Noël Babeuf. "There is but one sun, one air for all to breath. Let us end the disgusting distinctions between rich and poor . . . masters and servants, governor and governed."1 As the poor rose in rebellion and joined equally deprived soldiers in rioting, Napoléon rallied them to his banner, assuaging their anger and hunger with promises of rich pastures across French borders: "You have no shoes, uniforms, shirts and almost no bread," he called out to his followers.
( Harlow Giles Unger )
[ John Quincy Adams ]
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