Bonapartism and revolutionary tradition in France : the fédérés of 1815

Bonapartism and Revolutionary Tradition in France is a study of the fédérés, the massive paramilitary political movement that supported Napoleon throughout France in 1815. The first part analyzes the political and social character of the fédérés, their organization, activities, ideology and self-interest. Professor Alexander shows how groups divided by events after 1789 reunited in 1815 in common opposition to Bourbon rule. He explains why Napoleon encouraged this surprising development, despite the fact that the movement was largely led by old Jacobins. Part Two discusses how fédérés went on to organize opposition to the Second Restoration and pave the way for the Revolution of 1830. This study is crucial to the socio-political history of France from 1789-1830, in that it demonstrates clearly continuities in revolutionary personnel throughout the period, and shows how revolutionary tradition and Bonapartism came to fuse in 1815--a development of profound significance for the subsequent course of French history. Bonapartism and Revolutionary Tradition in France is a study of the personnel, organisation and activities of the Fédérés, the massive paramilitary political associations that supported Napoleon during the Hundred Days. In tracing federe backgrounds the author demonstrates that the federations were politically and socially heterogeneous - composed of old revolutionaries, Bonapartists and future Liberals, and drawn from both the lower and middle classes. Analysis of Fédéré literature and symbolism reveals the common ground of ideology and self-interest that enabled these diverse groups to unite in opposition to Bourbon rule, and thereby reverse the process of fragmentation that had beset the Revolutionary movement since 1789. Discussion of relations between the Imperial government and the Fédérés explains why Bonaparte encouraged this development, despite his realisation that old Jacobins dominated the associations of 1815