A Social History of the French Revolution

The revolutionary movement which began in 1787 disrupted all aspects of French society, rising to a pitch of such extreme violence that the effects are still felt today. The Revolution was the product of social tensions developing in the 2nd half of the 18th century. Hampson analyses the nature of these social conflicts within their political framework. With enough background information to satisfy the general reader, this book devotes particular attention to provincial France. The result is both a picture of the supreme crisis in society, & an examination of social attitudes & aspirations whose influence has been universal & enduring.