Soldiers of Revolution: The Franco-Prussian War and the Paris Commune

How war gave birth to revolution in the 19th century

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71 introduced new military technologies, transformed the organization of armies, and upset the continental balance of power, promulgating new regimented ideas of nationhood and conflict resolution more widely. However, the mass armies that became a new standard required mass mobilization and the arming of working people, who exercised a new power through both a German social democracy and popular insurgent French movements.

As in the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Paris Commune of 1871 grew directly from the discontent among radicalized soldiers and civilians pressed into armed service on behalf of institutions they learned to mistrust. If this militarized class conflict, the brutality of the Commune's subsequent repression not only butchered the tens of thousands of Parisians but slaughtered an old utopian faith that appeals to reason and morality could resolve social tensions. War among nations became linked to revolution and revolution to armed struggle.

Author: Mark Lause
Publisher: Verso
Published: 01/18/2022
Pages: 288
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 9.30h x 6.30w x 1.00d
ISBN13: 9781788730549
ISBN10: 1788730542
BISAC Categories:
- History | Europe | France
- History | Military | Revolutions & Wars of Independence (See Also Unit
- Political Science | History & Theory | General

About the Author
A professor of history at the University of Cincinnati, Mark A. Lause had published extensively in nineteenth century history, including books on subjects such as radical movements, bohemianism, spiritualism, secret societies, and the origins of trade unionism in the U.S. Much has centered on the relationship between war and social movements, using the American Civil War.