Examining the politics of the French Revolutionary tradition during the nineteenth century Bourbon Restoration and early July Monarchy, Robert Alexander argues that political struggle was not confined to the elite. The Restoration Liberal Opposition developed a reform tradition based on legal organization and persuasion, which would prove far more effective in achieving progressive change than the revolutionary tradition of conspiracy and insurrection. Alexander analyzes relations among the Liberal Opposition, ultra-royalists and the state to support his claims.

Bonapartism and Revolutionary Tradition in France is a study of the federes, the massive paramilitary political movement that supported Napoleon throughout France in 1815. The first part analyzes the political and social character of the federes, their organization, activities, ideology and self-interest. Professor Alexander shows how groups divided by events after 1789 reunited in 1815 in common opposition to Bourbon rule. He explains why Napoleon encouraged this surprising development, despite the fact that the movement was largely led by old Jacobins. Part Two discusses how federes went on...