Synopses & Reviews
First published in 1980, this book rapidly established itself as the indispensable guide for those seeking to learn what broughgt about the French Revolution--as well as those wanting to track the many debates had by historians on this issue. This new edition brings the subject up-to-date with an extensively rewritten survey of the historiography of the Revolution as it stands today, alongside a revised interpretation of this era that fully reflects the most current research. The book remains a vital starting point for anyone planning to seriously explore the greatest of all revolutions.
Synopsis
This new edition of the acclaimed 1981 study of the origins of the French Revolution remains a provocative and up-to-date synthesis of the important work on this complex topic. Incorporating the wealth of research that has appeared over the last eight years, Doyle presents a detailed analysis of the ancien regime and the struggle for power that followed its disappearance.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Part I: Writings on Revolutionary Origins since 1939
1 The Classic Interpretation.
3 Post-Revisionism.
Part II: The Breakdown of the Old Regime
4. The Financial Crisis
5. The System of Government
6. Opposition
7. Public Opinion
8. Reform and its Failure 1787-88
Part III: The Struggle for Power
9. The Nobility
10. The Bourgeoisie
11. The Election Campaign September 1788- to May 1789
12. The Economic Crisis
13. The Estates-General, May and June 1789
14. The People of Paris
15. The Peasantry
16. Conclusion: The New Regime and its Principles
Abbreviations, Notes, Further Reading, Index of Authors Cited, General Index
Contributors