The French Revolution - Volume 3

"The French Revolution - Volume 3" by Hippolyte Taine is a late 19th-century exploration of the French Revolution, examining the rise and operation of the revolutionary government, the Jacobin Program, and their vast repercussions on those in charge and society. Taine investigates the mindset of the Jacobin leaders and the movement's broad impact on society. The author introduces the move from the old system to the intense Jacobin rule, using ancient Egypt as a comparison to show how appearances can hide terrible truths. He compares the Jacobins' power grab to worshiping a dangerous "crocodile," noting the flaws of past governments that allowed the Jacobins to create an authoritarian government that crushed basic freedoms. The beginning builds the groundwork for a deeper examination of the events that led to the establishment of a government that values control over freedom, demonstrating the intricate relationship between beliefs and power during this turbulent era.