The first European revolution, 1776-1815

The most significant changes during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period were in the realm of ideas. The French Revolution ended the era of aristocratic conservatism, enlightened rationalism and sentimental deism. By the time of Napoleon's eclipse, Idealist philosophy and Romanticism -- both of which assumed disharmony and national conflict -- had replaced these attitudes. The author shows that this ideological shift rather than manifestations of class rivaly explains the actions of the French Revolutionaries. His perspective also throws new light on the impact of Revolutionary and Napoleonic France on the rest of Europe.