The French Revolution : a political history / John Hardman.

Author/creator Hardman, John, 1944- author.
Format Book
PublicationNew Haven, Connecticut ; London, England, United Kingdom : Yale University Press, [2025]
Copyright Date©2025
Descriptionxix, 349 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of color plates : illustrations (some colour), map, portraits ; 24 cm
Subjects

Contents Pen portraits of seven protagonists -- Map -- Introduction -- Royal revolution manqué -- Metamorphosis: From Estates-General to National Assembly -- 'A New France very promptly regenerated': The Central Reforms of the National Constituent Assembly (August-September 1789) -- The Revolution takes a wrong turning: The October Days -- The King, the Queen and the politicians -- The flight to Varennes polarizes France -- The Legislative Assembly -- Girondins and Montagnards: Paris against the Provinces, 10 August 1792-2 June 1793 -- The Great Show Trials -- Robespierre's Red Summer -- The Fall of Robespierre -- The Thermidorian Reaction -- Conclusion -- Chains of Command -- Chronology -- Notes -- Bibliography -- List of illustrations -- Index.
Abstract "In 1786, France's ancien régime appeared to be functioning as usual. Its alliance with the victorious American colonies had restored its diplomatic prestige, the economy seemed to be flourishing, even internal politics seemed quiet. But just a few short years later, the dynasty that had ruled France for more than eight centuries was entirely swept away. What happened to cause such devastating change to a long-established political structure? John Hardman traces the political history of the French Revolution, from its origins to its aftermath. Hardman argues that the nature of ancien régime politics, the mismanagement of the fiscal crisis, and a new generation of young, overly confident politicians brought the Bourbon monarchy's apparatus crashing down. He shows how feudalism was on its last legs in 1789, and analyses the key roles played by Louis XVI, Antoine Barnave, Maximilien Robespierre and Georges Danton. This is a remarkable history of one of modern Europe's defining moments, revealing how, for the revolutionaries, building a lasting new system proved much harder than tearing down the old one."-- from the inside front flap.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references and index.
LanguageIn English.
ISBN9780300282689
ISBN0300282680 (hardback)

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