Re-Writing the French Revolutionary Tradition
Liberal Opposition and the Fall of the Bourbon Monarchy

This book examines the politics of the French Revolutionary tradition in the early nineteenth century.

Robert Alexander (Author)

9780521801225, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 11 December 2003

404 pages, 5 maps
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.76 kg

'This is an invaluable scholarly contribution to a welcome revival of interest in the early nineteenth century … specialists will delight in the detailed empirical research and stimulating broad arguments.' The English Historical Review

This book examines the politics of the French Revolutionary tradition during the Bourbon Restoration and early July Monarchy. Robert Alexander argues that political change was achieved by legal grassroots organization and persuasion - rather than by the revolutionary tradition of conspiracy and armed insurrection. Moreover, political struggle was not confined to the elite, as common material values linked the electorate to those deprived of the power to vote. Battle between advocates of national and royal sovereignty constituted the principal dynamic of the period, and fostered significant developments in party formation previously unrecognized by historians. To substantiate his claims, the author analyses relations among the Liberal Opposition, ultraroyalists and the state, concluding that although Liberals triumphed in the 1830 Revolution, thereafter they contributed to the destabilization that produced an immobile Orleanist regime. Nevertheless, they had pioneered a model for change which could successfully adapt pursuit of reform to longing for civil order.

List of maps
List of tables
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations used in notes
Introduction: open questions
1. False starts and uncertain beginnings: from the First Restoration (May 1814) to the elections of September 1816
2. Battle commences: from September 1816 to July 1820
3. Self-defeating opposition: from July 1820 to February 1824
4. Back on track: from March 1824 to January 1828
5. Towards victory?: from January 1828 to July 1830
6. Aftermath: liberal opposition and the July Revolution
Conclusion: revolutionary tradition
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Revolutionary groups & movements [JPWQ], Politics & government [JP], Revolutions, uprisings, rebellions [HBTV], Social & cultural history [HBTB], Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]