Bibliograph

Proven patriots, the French diplomatic corps, 1789-1799, by Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey

Type

Label

Proven patriots, the French diplomatic corps, 1789-1799, by Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

Proven patriots

Medium

electronic resource

Nature of contents

bibliographydictionaries

Oclc number

754805410

Responsibility statement

by Linda S. Frey and Marsha L. Frey

Series statement

St. Andrews studies in French history and culture, no. 3Open Access e-Books

Sub title

the French diplomatic corps, 1789-1799

Summary

This study analyzes a hitherto unexamined group, the French diplomatic corps during the Revolution (1789 to 1799), and focuses on the question of loyalty and conscience. For some diplomats choice was an illusion as their status often determined their fate. Some supported the king and continued to do so in spite of the high cost, often creatively sabotaging the Revolution. Others put nation, as they defined it, above king. Because the definition of loyalty constantly shifted the corps, like the army and the bureaucracy, was periodically purged. Those who had worked for or been sympathetic to the old regime or those who had allied with a certain political faction came under scrutiny. The turmoil in the diplomatic corps not only had international repercussions but also reflects larger societal trends, such as the attack on the aristocracy and the displacement of one elite by another. The French diplomatic corps was thus emblematic of many issues surrounding the revolutionary struggle of this decade

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