How France broke with monarchy and forged a republic
In The First French Republic, Horace Mann Conaway traces the long path from revolutionary ideas to a formal republican government in 1792. The book shows how political debates, popular will, and key events shaped France’s transition and the meaning of rights during this pivotal era.
The narrative frames the origin of the republic, the role of the National Assembly, the Tennis Court Oath, and the shift from revolutionary ideals to a sustained constitutional order. It examines how public opinion, factional struggles, and strategic choices influenced the move away from monarchy toward a republic, and what that shift required in terms of governance and legitimacy.
- Learn how the Tennis Court Oath and the early constitutional debates reflected evolving political goals.
- See the rise of competing factions and how they shaped the path to 1792–1793.
- Understand why a republic was chosen and how it sought to define rights and government.
- Explore the broader implications for France and Europe as the new system took hold.
Ideal for readers of the French Revolution, political history, and constitutional development.