The French Revolution: Aristocrats versus Bourgeois? (Studies in European History)

Few historical events have inspired so much controversy and debate as the French Revolution. The origins, nature and effects of the Revolution have been the themes of a voluminous literature, especially since the 1950s, and there has been sharp disagreement among historians about them. This book discusses the present state of the controversy and provides detailed suggestions for further reading. Blanning explains the different interpretations advanced by Marxist, revisionist and post-revisionist historians in order to provide students with access to the literature and to help them to form their own views. Few historical events have inspired so much controversy and debate as the French Revolution. The origins, nature and effects of the Revolution have been the themes of a voluminous literature, especially since the 1950s, and have aroused sharp disagreement among historians. This book discusses the present state of the controversy and provides detailed suggestions for further reading. Professor Blanning explains the different interpretations advanced by Marxist, revisionist and post-revisionist historians in order to provide students with access to the literature and to help them to form their own views. 'The essential cause of the Revolution', wrote Albert Soboul, 'was the power of a bourgeoisie arrived at its maturity and confronted by a decadent aristocracy holding tenaciously to its privileges' [11]. Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-7 Origins: the Old Regime....Pages 9-32 Impact: the Revolution....Pages 33-48 Aftermath: Napoleon and Beyond....Pages 49-56 Back Matter....Pages 57-70