1st Edition

Recollections French Revolution of 1848

By Alexis de Tocqueville Copyright 1987
    374 Pages
    by Routledge

    333 Pages
    by Routledge

    Tocqueville was not only an active participant in the French Revolution of 1848, he was also a deeply perceptive observer with a detached attitude of mind. He saw the pitfalls of the course his country was taking more clearly than any of his contemporaries, including Karl Marx. Recollections was first written for self-clarification. It is both an exciting, candid, behind-the-scenes account of what actually happened during those tumultuous months and a remarkably shrewd analysis that has become an accurate forecast of future societies wrestling with the dilemma of synthesizing equality and freedom. Thus the book has a relevance that extends beyond France, to our own country and others, a relevance that is explored in J.P. Mayer's new introduction.

    Out of print in English for several years, Recollections is presented here in a translation based on the definitive French edition of 1964. It captures the wit and subtlety of mind that have made this book one of the most popular of all Tocqueville's works. Tocqueville's own comments, which he wrote into the manuscript, including his variants, are given, and the editors have added explanatory notes.

    Written in July 1850, at Tocqueville; 1: Origin and Character of these Recollections – General aspects of the period preceding the Revolution of 1848-First symptoms of the Revolution; 2: The Banquets – Sense of security entertained by the Government – Anxiety of the Leaders of the Opposition – Arraignment of Ministers; 3: Troubles of the 22nd February — The Sitting of the 23rd — The New Ministry — Opinions of M. Dufaure and M. de Beaumont; 4: The 24th February – The Ministers' Plan of Resistance – The National Guard – General Redeau; 5: The Sitting of the Chamber – the Duchess of Orleans – The Provisional Government; Everything contained in this notebook (that is chapters 1 to 11 inclusive) was written at odd moments at Sorrento in November and December 1850 and in January, February and March 1851; 1: My view of the reasons for the events of the 24th February, and my thoughts concerning its effects for the future; 2: Paris the day after the 24th February, and the days that followed-Socialist character of the new revolution; 3: Uncertainty of the members of the old Parliament about what attitude to adopt-My own reflections about what I ought to do and the resolutions I made; 4: My candidature in the department of La Manche – Characteristics of that province – The general election; 5: First meeting of the Constituent Assembly – Appearance of that Assembly; 6: My relations with Lamartine-His Subterfuges; 7: The 15th May; 8: The Festival of Concord and the eve of the June Days; 9: The June Days; 10: The end of the June Days 1; 11 1: The Drafting Committee for the Constitution 2; My Term of Office; 1: My return to France-Formation of the cabinet; 2: Composition of the Cabinet-Its conduct down to the attempted insurrection of the 13th June; 3: Our domestic policy-Quarrels within the Cabinet-Difficulties in its relations with the Majority and the President; 4: Foreign affairs

    Biography

    Alexis de Tocqueville