Explaining the Terror The Radicalization of the French Revolution, 1792-1794.

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Harvey, David

Keywords

French Revolution, Reign of Terror, Historiography

Area of Concentration

History

Abstract

This thesis attempts to understand the process by which the French Revolution shifted from the hopes and ideals for which it is often remembered to the violence and dictatorial governance that characterized the Reign of Terror--for which the Revolution is also frequently remembered. Much importance is given to the historiography of the French Revolution, both past and present, in the attempt to determine what factors contributed most to the radicalization of the Revolution. The primary thesis is that the Terror can be explained only with attention both to the internal dynamics of revolutionary ideology as well as the circumstances of economic chaos and counterrevolution. It asserts that, while many recent historians have given us a more complete picture of the Revolution and the Terror by focusing on ideological and cultural factors, they have often done so to the detriment of valid aspects of the 'classical' or 'orthodox' explanation.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS