Storia degli Italiani, vol. 13 (di 15)

This volume turns its attention to the French Revolution, tracing how the storm that erupted in 1789 rippled far beyond Paris and reshaped the political landscape of Europe. The author sketches the clash between ancient institutions and the new ideals of liberty, equality and popular sovereignty, showing how philosophers turned abstract theories into concrete demands. By placing the French upheaval in dialogue with Italian states, the narrative highlights the ways neighboring societies wrestled with similar calls for reform.

Listeners will hear a vivid account of the National Assembly’s rise, the abolition of feudal privileges, and the turbulent experiments that followed the monarchy’s collapse. The book explores the promises and contradictions of rational governance, the interplay of noble, clerical and bourgeois interests, and the enduring impact on concepts of citizenship. Together, these insights illuminate a pivotal chapter in the broader story of Italy’s path toward modern nationhood.