L'ancien régime et la révolution by Alexis de Tocqueville

Description

L’ancien régime et la révolution by Alexis de Tocqueville is a historical account written in the early 19th century. The work explores the complex interrelations between the former monarchy in France and the revolutionary movement that sought to overthrow it. Tocqueville analyzes the cultural, social, and political dynamics that influenced the revolution, arguing that many elements of the old regime persisted in the new order established after the revolution. The opening of the book presents Tocqueville’s intentions for this study, clarifying that he does not aim to recount the events of the French Revolution but rather to examine its causes and implications. He articulates the monumental effort made by the French people in 1789 to fundamentally shift their societal structure while attempting to sever ties with their past. Tocqueville reveals his belief that the French did not entirely succeed in this endeavor, having retained many sentiments and ideas from the old regime that shaped their revolutionary actions. In this exploratory preface, he establishes his scholarly foundation and outlines the critical analysis he intends to undertake regarding the repercussions of the revolution on French society and governance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)