In this stirring and persuasive defense of the classical Marxist view of the French Revolution as a bourgeois and capitalist revolution, Henry Heller lays to rest the stylish revisionism on the subject that still dominates in academic circles. Based mainly on articles published in the journal Historical Materialism, Heller that the rise of a bourgeois capitalist class in France stretches back to the sixteenth century, and that the Revolution itself played a large role in strengthening this nascent class politically and economically.
ISBN: 9781608469956
Publication date: October 30, 2018
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction: French Revolution and Historical Materialism
Chapter 2 Jaurès
Chapter 3 Review of Paysans et seigneurs en Europe: une histoire comparée, XVIe–XIXe siècle, Guy Lemarchand, Rennes: Presses Universitaires de Rennes, 2011
Chapter 4 The Longue Durée of the French Bourgeoisie
Chapter 5 Response to Henry Heller’s ‘The Longue Durée of the French Bourgeoisie’
by William Beik
Chapter 6 Henry Heller and the ‘Longue Durée of the French Bourgeoisie’
by David Parker
Chapter 7 Response to William Beik and David Parker
Chapter 8 French Absolutism and Agricultural Capitalism: A Comment on Henry Heller’s Essays
by Stephen Miller
Chapter 9 Stephen Miller on Capitalism and the Old Regime: A Response
Chapter 10 Marx, the French Revolution, and the Spectre of the Bourgeoisie
Chapter 11 Review of Jeff Horn, The Path Not Taken: French Industrialization in the Age of Revolution, 1750–1830
Chapter 12 Bankers, Finance Capital And The French Revolutionary Terror, 1791–4
Bibliography
Index
“The French Revolution has set the standard for Marxist interpretations for years to come. For this reason alone, it should be read.”
—Jean-Pierre Reed, Marx & Philosophy Review of Books
“[A] Marxist historiography on the revolution and of capitalism is desperately needed in the current historical moment. For that reason alone, although it is certainly not the only one, Heller’s volume is well worth reading.”
—Kirk S. Lawrence, Socialism and Democracy
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