Reform and Revolution in France
The Politics of Transition, 1774–1791

A new social and political interpretation of the origins of the French Revolution.

Peter M. Jones (Author)

9780521459426, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 September 1995

292 pages, 10 maps
22.7 x 15.1 x 1.7 cm, 0.425 kg

"Jones's work is commendable on many grounds: it synthesizes well so many complex cultural and religious strains in the early seventeenth century that form the character, vision, and ecclesiastical activity of this leader in the diocese of Milan. Borromeo, too is a significant personality for any student of the post-Tridentine era, for he not only knew nearly every major actor in his day and absorbed the intellectual and spiritual energies in his milieu, but he invested heavily his own resources in an institution that sought to promote many genres of art on a amjor scale and to make these public for the salvation of souls." Frederick J. McGinnes, The Catholic Historical Review

This textbook has been written to help teachers and students to pilot their way through the enormous and ever expanding literature on the French Revolution. The author makes a conscious effort to combine social and political interpretations of the origins of the Revolution and offers a synthesis which takes full account of current debates. He also seeks to restore the Revolution to its domestic environment. Notwithstanding the powerful contemporary myth of rupture, the author argues that the dramatic events of 1789 need to be considered alongside the reform achievements of Bourbon absolute monarchy. The result is a new account of the gestation of the Revolution which is both up-to-date and satisfying in its range of vision.

List of illustrations
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. Government
2. Society
3. Economy
4. Reform and the reform constituency
5. Towards 'a truly national representation', 1787–1789
6. The National Assembly, 1789–1791
7. The political culture of revolution
Conclusion
Notes
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]