Historiography of The French Revolution - II

Summary

This lecture series delves into the historiography of the French Revolution, examining how its narrative has evolved from the 1789 revolution to contemporary times. It discusses the initial writings that emerged during the revolution, the classical tradition that views the revolution positively, Marxist interpretations, and the rise of revisionist historians. The lecture also touches on the impact of political ideologies on historical writings and the varying perspectives on the revolution's significance.

Takeaways

• 📅 The lecture discusses the historiography of the French Revolution, focusing on how it has been viewed since 1789.
• 🎉 The centenary (1889) and bicentenary (1989) celebrations of the French Revolution showcased different heroes and emphasized various aspects of the revolution, reflecting the political climate of the time.
• 📜 Early writings on the revolution are considered the embryonic stage of historiography, with sources like pamphlets and publications playing a crucial role.
• 🤔 The French Revolution was self-conscious, with revolutionaries aware they were bringing about significant change, which generated anxiety and support.
• 📚 The Enlightenment period's writings, such as pamphlets and encyclopedias, were seen as a fundamental cause of the revolution by some early historians.
• 👨‍💻 Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the French Revolution' (1790) is highlighted as a traditionalist critique that foresaw the revolution's darker aspects.
• 📈 The historiography of the French Revolution can be divided into two main traditions: the classical tradition viewing the revolution positively, and a critical tradition that is more hostile or ambiguous.
• 🌟 Prominent Marxist historians like Georges Lefebvre and Albert Soboul are part of the classical tradition, interpreting the revolution as bourgeois in nature.
• 🔄 Revisionist historians like Alfred Cobban and François Furet challenged the Marxist orthodoxy, with Cobban offering a softer revisionism focused on social interpretation, and Furet a harder revisionism focusing on political history.
• 🌐 Post-1989, the historiography of the French Revolution has become more diverse, including a range of viewpoints and interests, even giving voice to counter-revolutionary perspectives.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the lecture series on modern European history?

The main focus of the lecture series is the historiography of the French Revolution, examining how the event has been viewed and written about over time.

How were the centenary and bicentenary celebrations of the French Revolution different in terms of the heroes and aspects emphasized?

The celebrations differed in the way they brought different heroes into prominence and emphasized various aspects of the revolution, reflecting the political climate and ideologies of the time in France.

What is meant by the 'self-consciousness' of the French Revolution?

The 'self-consciousness' refers to the revolutionaries' awareness that they were bringing about a significant change and were in the midst of a revolution.

What was the earliest school of thought regarding the cause of the French Revolution?

The earliest school of thought attributed the cause of the French Revolution to the writings of Enlightenment philosophers and their reformist ideas.

What role did pamphlets play in the French Revolution?

Pamphlets played a significant role as they were published in large numbers, serving as a medium for spreading ideas and contributing to the revolutionary fervor.

Who wrote 'What is the Third Estate?' and what does it reveal about the self-perception of the Third Estate?

Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès wrote 'What is the Third Estate?', which reveals the self-perception of the Third Estate as confident and eager to transform into a new national assembly, representing France as citizens rather than members of a particular estate.

What are the key documents from the French Revolution that early observers relied on?

Early observers relied on documents such as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789), and the three different constitutions published by 1795.

How does Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the French Revolution' differ from other early writings on the revolution?

Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the French Revolution' is unique as it is written from a traditionalist perspective, critical of the revolution, and it anticipated the Reign of Terror and the excesses of the revolutionaries.

What are the two 'family lines' of writing about the French Revolution mentioned in the script?

The two 'family lines' are the great tradition or classical tradition, which views the revolution positively, and a range of writings that are either hostile, critical, or ambiguous about the revolution.

What distinguishes 'soft revisionism' from 'hard revisionism' in the historiography of the French Revolution?

Soft revisionism, represented by Alfred Cobban, still focuses on social interpretation and critiques the Marxist view but remains within the social framework. Hard revisionism, represented by Francois Furet, ventures into a non-Marxist arena of political history, offering a stark contrast to the established Marxist interpretations.

How did the Marxist historians like Georges Lefebvre and Albert Soboul view the French Revolution?

Marxist historians like Georges Lefebvre and Albert Soboul viewed the French Revolution as a bourgeois revolution, with the nature of the revolution decided in favor of the bourgeoisie.