Tuesday, August 25, 2015

5.7.7. AN OBSCURE EXAMPLE REVEALS DREAD OF INSURRECTION


AS SAID, THE ARTERIES' IMMEDIATE PURPOSE WAS TO LET THE ARMY MOVE RAPIDLY TOWARD AREAS WHERE REVOLTS MIGHT TAKE PLACE

That could be as far away as the 13th district, then a working-class area on the southeast edge of town.

The arrow is along the artery meant for marching troops.

Adapted from a Google map

Rue Jeanne d'Arc

 Notre-Dame-de-la-Gare

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As well, the arteries' width made building barricades more difficult, and being long and straight allowed bombarding those barriers should they spring up just the same.

Internet, source unknown
As when La Commune broke out (in 1871) they did.

          "Building a Barricade on March 19, 1871" (the day after La Commune began) by Arnaud Durbec / zoom. 
-- musée Carnavalet, not exhibited

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The design also appears in the space around the church, so big that a market occupies it two days a week:


Notre-Dame de la Gare, one of the churches built to encourage obedience.

There is room for stands, trucks, parked cars and traffic. 


"Marry me! The cheese will be free!"


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In the south, tearing down a slum sufficed to build an artery. In the north, a steep hill made such construction impossible, with dramatic consequences. In the east, a canal brought a problem, which we will come to.

In the wealthy, conservative west, such change was unnecessary.

That the design should strike
an area as remote 
reveals the fear that insurrection inspired. 

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