Revolution and Political Conflict in the French Navy 1789-1794

William S. Cormack

Cambridge University Press, May 9, 2002 - History - 360 pages

Professor Cormack's study examines the French Navy during the Revolution, focusing on the fleet's involvement in political conflict. Although ignored by historians of the Revolution, the navy's experience illustrates a nation-wide struggle between authority based on executive power and authority based ambiguously on the "People's Will." The book charts the evolution of this struggle in the assemblies and in the ports of Toulon and Brest, revealing its impact on the navy and its central importance to the French Revolution.

Contents

• The French navy the Revolution and the historians: 1
• The French navy on the eve of Revolution: 18
• The Revolution begins the Toulon Affair of 1789: 49
• Naval reorganization and the mutiny at Brest 17901791: 78
• Bertrand de Moleville and the dissolution of the Officer Corps 17911792: 109
• Naval officers and the Jacobin Regime 17921793 the court martial of Captain Basterot: 143
• The Great Treason the surrender of the Mediterranean fleet in 1793: 173
• Naval authority and the National Will the Quiberon mutiny of 1793: 215
• A navy for the Republic Jeanbon SaintAndres missions to Brest and the Prairial Campaign 17931794: 242
• Conclusion Revolutionary politics and the French navy: 291
• Bibliography: 303
• Index: 328

Bibliographic information

• Title: Revolution and Political Conflict in the French Navy 1789-1794
• Author: William S. Cormack
• Edition: illustrated, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2002
• ISBN: 0521893755, 9780521893756
• Length: 360 pages
• Subjects: History / Europe / France; History / Europe / General; History / Modern / General