THE FRENCH REVOLUTION ON YOUTUBE: Political Uses by Brazilian Right-Wing Movements (2018–2022)

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze the political uses of the French Revolution in YouTube channels aligned with the Brazilian right between 2018 and 2022, the period corresponding to Jair Messias Bolsonaro's presidency. From this, we developed a threefold hypothesis: first, such uses align with political discourse on the topic in North America and France, suggesting a blend of francophone and anglophone right-wing traditions in Brazil. Second, despite this international resonance, the Brazilian right’s use of the French Revolution has roots in the second half of the 20th century, linking to the anti-communist rhetoric of the military dictatorship. Third, this appropriation ties into a specific conception of contemporary history and Brazil, aiming to insert the country into a broader narrative of the supposed decline of "Judeo-Christian civilization," positioning Brazil within the "West."