In this Book
Considerations on the Principal Events of the French Revolution
Book
2012
Published by:
Liberty Fund
summary
Few individuals have left as deep an influence on their time as did Germaine de Staël, one of the greatest intellectuals of her age, whose works have influenced entire cultures, eras, and disciplines. Soon after its publication, posthumously in 1818, Considerations on the Principal Events of the French Revolution became a classic of liberal thinking, making a deeply original contribution to an ongoing political and historical debate in early nineteenth-century France and Europe. As a representative of classical liberal opinion, de Staël’s voice, which Napoleon Bonaparte tried to silence by censorship and banishment, is a unique and important contribution to revolutionary historiography. Considerations is considered de Staël’s magnum opus and sheds renewed light on the familiar figures and events of the Revolution, among them, the financier and statesman Jacques Necker, her father. Editor Aurelian Craiutu states that Considerations explores “the prerequisites of liberty, constitutionalism and rule of law, the necessary limits on power, the relation between social order and political order, the dependence of liberty on morality and religion, and the question of the institutional foundations of a free regime.” Madame de Staël’s unique perspective combined a sharp intellect with an elegant style that illustrates the French tradition at its best. Considerations was rightly hailed as a genuine hymn to freedom based on a perceptive understanding of what makes freedom possible and on a subtle analysis of the social, historical, and cultural context within which political rights and political obligation exist. Madame de Staël conceived of this volume in six parts: parts 1 through 4 reflect on the history of France, the state of public opinion in France at the Accession of Louis XVI, and Necker’s plans of finance and administration. Other topics discussed in this section of the book include the conduct of the Third Estate in 1788 and 1789, the fall of the Bastille, the decrees of the Legislative Assembly, the overthrow of the monarchy, the war between France and England, the Terror of 1793–94, the Directory, and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Parts 5 and 6 contain a vigorous defense of representative government in France, with a detailed examination of the English political system. Part 6, in particular, offers memorable political insights on liberty and public spirit among the English and discusses the relation between economic prosperity and political freedom and the seminal influence of religion and morals on liberty. Germaine de Staël (1766–1817) rose to fame as a novelist, critic, political thinker, sociologist of literature, and autobiographer. She experienced firsthand many important events of the French Revolution, which she followed closely from Paris and, later, from exile in Switzerland, where she lived between 1792 and 1795. Her salon was famous for hosting Benjamin Constant, August Wilhelm von Schlegel, Lord Byron, and other luminaries, before and after her exile by Napoleon. Aurelian Craiutu is Associate Professor of Political Science at Indiana University, Bloomington.
Table of Contents
Cover
pp. 1-1
Title Page, Copyright
pp. 2-5
Contents
pp. v-vi
Introduction
pp. vii-xxiv
Note on the Present Edition
pp. xxv-xxx
Considerations on the Principal Events of The French Revolution
pp. 1-2
Notice by the Editors
pp. 3-4
Advertisement of the Author
pp. 5-6
Contents
pp. 7-16
Part I
Chapter I. General Reflections
pp. 17-25
Chapter II. Considerations on the History of France
pp. 26-44
Chapter III. On the State of Public Opinion in France at the Accession of Louis XVI
pp. 45-52
Chapter IV. Of the Character of M. Necker as a Public Man
pp. 53-57
Chapter V. M. Necker's Plans of Finance
pp. 58-64
Chapter VI. M. Necker's Plans of Administration
pp. 65-71
Chapter VII. Of the American War
pp. 72-73
Chapter VIII. M. Necker's Retirement from Office in 1781
pp. 74-82
Chapter IX. The Circumstances That Led to the Assembling of the Estates General.âMinistry of M. de Calonne
pp. 83-90
Chapter X. Sequel of the Preceding.âMinistry of the Archbishop of Toulouse
pp. 91-95
Chapter XI. Did France Possess a Constitution Before the Revolution?
pp. 96-111
Chapter XII. On the Recall of M. Necker in 1788
pp. 112-114
Chapter XIII. Conduct of the Last Estates General, Held at Paris in 1614
pp. 115-117
Chapter XIV. The Division of the Estates General into Orders
pp. 118-127
Chapter XV. What Was the Public Feeling of Europe at the Time of Convening the Estates General?
pp. 128-159
Chapter XVI. Opening of the Estates General on the 5th of May, 1789
pp. 129-133
Chapter XVII. Of the Resistance of the Privileged Orders to the Demands of the Third Estate in 1789
pp. 134-139
Chapter XVIII. Conduct of the Third Estate During the First Two Months of the Session of the Estates General
pp. 140-143
Chapter XIX. Means Possessed by the Crown in 1789 of Opposing the Revolution
pp. 144-146
Chapter XX. The Royal Session of 23d June, 1789
pp. 147-154
Chapter XXI. Events Caused by the Royal Session of 23d June, 1789
pp. 155-161
Chapter XXII. Revolution of the 14th of July (1789)
pp. 162-164
Chapter XXIII. Return of M. Necker
pp. 165-172
Part II
Chapter I. Mirabeau
pp. 173-177
Chapter II. Of the Constituent Assembly After the 14th of July
pp. 178-181
Chapter III. General La Fayette
pp. 182-185
Chapter IV. Of the Good Effected by the Constituent Assembly
pp. 186-193
Chapter V. Liberty of the Press, and State of the Police, During the Time of the Constituent Assembly
pp. 194-198
Chapter VI. Of the Different Parties Conspicuous in the Constituent Assembly
pp. 199-206
Chapter VII. Of the Errors of the Constituent Assembly in Matters of Administration
pp. 207-210
Chapter VIII. Of the Errors of the National Assembly in Regard to the Constitution
pp. 211-215
Chapter IX. Efforts Made by M. Necker with the Popular Party in the Constituent Assembly to Induce It to Establish the English Constitution in France
pp. 216-219
Chapter X. Did the English Government Give Money to Foment Troubles in France?
pp. 220-221
Chapter XI. Events of the 5th and 6th of October, 1789
pp. 222-230
Chapter XII. The Constituent Assembly at Paris
pp. 231-234
Chapter XIII. Of the Decrees of the Constituent Assembly in Regard to the Clergy
pp. 235-241
Chapter XIV. Of the Suppression of Titles of Nobility
pp. 242-245
Chapter XV. Of the Royal Authority As It Was Established by the Constituent Assembly
pp. 246-248
Chapter XVI. Federation of 14th July, 1790
pp. 249-251
Chapter XVII. Of the State of Society in Paris During the Time of the Constituent Assembly
pp. 252-254
Chapter XVIII. The Introduction of Assignats, and Retirement of M. Necker
pp. 255-259
Chapter XIX. State of Affairs and of Political Parties in the Winter of 1790-91
pp. 260-264
Chapter XX. Death of Mirabeau
pp. 265-267
Chapter XXI. Departure of the King on the 21st of June, 1791
pp. 268-272
Chapter XXII. Revision of the Constitution
pp. 273-280
Chapter XXIII. Acceptance of the Constitution, Called the Constitution of 1791
pp. 281-284
Part III
Chapter I. On the Emigration
pp. 285-290
Chapter II. Prediction of M. Necker on the Fate of the Constitution of 1791
pp. 291-298
Chapter III. Of the Different Parties Which Composed the Legislative Assembly
pp. 299-303
Chapter IV. Spirit of the Decrees of the Legislative Assembly
pp. 304-305
Chapter V. Of the First War Between France and Europe
pp. 306-310
Chapter VI. Of the Means Employed in 1792 to Establish the Republic
pp. 311-315
Chapter VII. Anniversary of 14th July Celebrated in 1792
pp. 316-318
Chapter VIII. Manifesto of the Duke of Brunswick
pp. 319-320
Chapter IX. Revolution of the 10th of August, 1792âOverthrow of the Monarchy
pp. 321-323
Chapter X. Private Anecdotes
pp. 324-332
Chapter XI. The Foreign Troops Driven from France in 1792
pp. 333-334
Chapter XII. Trial of Louis XVI
pp. 335-340
Chapter XIII. Charles I and Louis XVI
pp. 341-345
Chapter XIV. War Between France and England. Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox
pp. 346-353
Chapter XV. Of Political Fanaticism
pp. 354-356
Chapter XVI. Of the Government Called the Reign ofTerror
pp. 357-362
Chapter XVII. The French Army During the Reign of Terror; the Federalists, and La Vendeé
pp. 363-366
Chapter XVIII. Of the Situation of the Friends of Liberty Out of France During the Reign of Terror
pp. 367-370
Chapter XIX. Fall of Robespierre, and Change of System in the Government
pp. 371-374
Chapter XX. Of the State of Minds at the Moment When the Directorial Republic Was Established in France
pp. 375-383
Chapter XXI. Of the Twenty Months During Which the Republic Existed in France, from November 1795 to the 18th of Fructidor (4th of September) 1797
pp. 384-388
Chapter XXII. Two Singular Predictions Drawn from the History of the Revolution by M. Necker
pp. 389-392
Chapter XXIII. Of the Army of Italy
pp. 393-395
Chapter XXIV. Of the Introduction of Military Government into France by the Occurrences of the 18th of Fructidor
pp. 396-401
Chapter XXV. Private Anecdotes
pp. 402-406
Chapter XXVI. Treaty of Campo Formio in I797. Arrival of General Bonaparte at Paris
pp. 407-413
Chapter XXVII. Preparations of General Bonaparte for Proceeding to Egypt. His Opinion on the Invasion of Switzerland
pp. 414-416
Chapter XXVIII. The Invasion of Switzerland
pp. 417-421
Chapter XXIX. Of the Termination of the Directory
pp. 422-424
Part IV
Chapter I. News from Egypt: Return of Bonaparte
pp. 425-427
Chapter II. Revolution of the 18th of Brumaire
pp. 428-435
Chapter III. Of the Establishment of the Consular Constitution
pp. 436-440
Chapter IV. Progress of Bonaparte to Absolute Power
pp. 441-447
Chapter V. Should England Have Made Peace with Bonaparte at His Accession to the Consulate?
pp. 448-452
Chapter VI. Of the Solemn Celebration of the Concordat at Nôtre-Dame
pp. 453-457
Chapter VII. M. Necker's Last Work Under the Consulship of Bonaparte
pp. 458-467
Chapter VIII. Of Exile
pp. 468-473
Chapter IX. Of the Last Days of M. Necker
pp. 474-478
Chapter X. Abstract of M. Necker's Principles on Government
pp. 479-482
Chapter XI. Bonaparte Emperor. The Counter-revolution Effected by him
pp. 483-490
Chapter XII. Of the Conduct of Napoleon Toward the Continent of Europe
pp. 491-494
Chapter XIII. Of the Means Employed by Bonaparte to Attack England
pp. 495-498
Chapter XIV. On the Spirit of the French Army
pp. 499-505
Chapter XV. Of the Legislation and Administration Under Bonaparte
pp. 506-510
Chapter XVI. Of Literature Under Bonaparte
pp. 511-514
Chapter XVII. A Saying of Bonaparte Printed in the Moniteur
pp. 515-546
Chapter XVIII. On the Political Doctrine of Bonaparte
pp. 516-522
Chapter XIX. Intoxication of Power; Reverses and Abdication of Bonaparte
pp. 523-536
Part V
Chapter I. Of What Constitutes Legitimate Royalty
pp. 537-541
Chapter II. Of the Political Doctrine of Some French Emigrants and Their Adherents
pp. 542-548
Chapter III. Of the Circumstances That Render the Representative Government at This Time More Necessary in France Than in Any Other Country
pp. 549-552
Chapter IV. Of the Entry of the Allies into Paris, and the Different Parties Which Then Existed in France
pp. 553-560
Chapter V. Of the Circumstances Which Accompanied the First Return of the House of Bourbon in 1814
pp. 561-564
Chapter VI. Of the Aspect of France and of Paris During Its First Occupation by the Allies
pp. 565-568
Chapter VII. Of the Constitutional Charter Granted by the King in 1814
pp. 569-574
Chapter VIII. Of the Conduct of the Ministry During the First Year of the Restoration
pp. 575-585
Chapter IX. Of the Obstacles Which Government Encountered During the First Year of the Restoration
pp. 586-591
Chapter X. Of the Influence of Society on Political Affairs in France
pp. 592-597
Chapter XI. Of the System Which Ought to Have Been Followed in 1814, to Maintain the House of Bourbon on the Throne of France
pp. 598-607
Chapter XII. What Should Have Been the Conduct of the Friends of Liberty in 1814?
pp. 608-611
Chapter XIII. Return of Bonaparte
pp. 612-617
Chapter XIV. Of the Conduct of Bonaparte on His Return
pp. 618-620
Chapter XV. Of the Fall of Bonaparte
pp. 621-625
Chapter XVI. Of the Declaration of Rights Proclaimed by the Chamber of Representatives, 5th of July, 1815
pp. 626-628
Part VI
Chapter I. Are Frenchmen Made to Be Free?
pp. 629-633
Chapter II. Cursory View of the History of England
pp. 634-648
Chapter III. Of the Prosperity of England, and the Causes by Which It Has Been Hitherto Promoted
pp. 649-658
Chapter IV. Of Liberty and Public Spirit Among the English
pp. 659-676
Chapter V. Of Knowledge, Religion, and Morals Among the English
pp. 677-688
Chapter VI. Of Society in England, and of lts Connection with Social Order
pp. 689-701
Chapter VII. Of the Conduct of the English Government Outside of England
pp. 702-716
Chapter VIII. Will Not the English Hereafter Lose Their Liberty?
pp. 717-722
Chapter IX. Can a Limited Monarchy Have Other Foundations Than That of the English Constitution?
pp. 723-729
Chapter X. Of the Influence of Arbitrary Power on the Spirit and Character of a Nation
pp. 730-738
Chapter XI. Of the Mixture of Religion with Politics
pp. 739-747
Chapter XII. Of the Love of Liberty
pp. 748-756
Select Bibliography on Madame de Staël
pp. 757-768
Index
pp. 769-804
| ISBN | 9781614878636 |
|---|---|
| Related ISBN(s) | 9780865977327 |
| MARC Record | Download |
| OCLC | 836874520 |
| Pages | 834 |
| Launched on MUSE | 2014-01-01 |
| Language | English |
| Open Access | No |
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