The Vendee: A Sociological Analysis of the Counter-Revolution of 1793

by Charles Tilly

In the countryside of western France, one of the most backward parts of the country, rebellion broke out in March, 1793...This was the rebellion of the Vendee, and its gory story has often been told. Professor Tilly does not attempt a new description: he gives us, rather, a socio-economic analysis of the circumstances leading up to the rebellion, placing political developments in novel and suggestive sociological perspective...Professor Tilly provides not diverting relaxation but intellectual pleasure. His is an important book. Clarity, sense of humor and the avoidance of any kind of jargon make it also singularly readable. -- Eugen Weber "Current History"

Genres: History, Sociology, France, French Revolution

374 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Charles Tilly was an American sociologist, political scientist, and historian renowned for his pioneering contributions to the study of social change, state formation, and contentious politics. A prolific scholar, Tilly authored over 600 articles and more than 50 books, shaping disciplines ranging from sociology and history to political science. His research was grounded in large-scale, comparative historical analysis, exemplified by his influential works Coercion, Capital, and European States, Durable Inequality, and Dynamics of Contention.
Tilly began his academic career after earning his doctorate in sociology from Harvard University, where he studied under noted figures like George C. Homans and Barrington Moore Jr. He taught at several major institutions, including the University of Michigan, The New School, and ultimately Columbia University, where he held the Joseph L. Buttenwieser Professorship of Social Science.
He developed a distinctive theoretical approach that rejected simplistic, static models of society, instead emphasizing dynamic processes and relational mechanisms. Tilly’s theories of state formation, particularly his provocative comparison of war-making and state-making to organized crime, remain central in political sociology. He also played a key role in the evolution of historical sociology and the relational sociology movement, especially through his collaborations and influence on the New York School.
A leading theorist of social movements, Tilly outlined how modern protest became structured around campaigns, repertoires of contention, and public displays of unity, worthiness, numbers, and commitment. His work with scholars like Sidney Tarrow and Doug McAdam further redefined the field by linking social movements to broader political processes.
Tilly received numerous honors, including membership in the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, as well as multiple honorary doctorates. His legacy endures through awards bearing his name and through continued influence on generations of social scientists.

Reviews

[tacitus · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly detailed and nuanced analysis of the conditions surrounding the Vendee counter-revolution in France. This book was the primary source archive for my final thesis paper on the Vendee uprisings. It is also a fascinating look at the countryside in Ancient Regime and Revolutionary France, something that we hear so little about. When reading French history, it can begin to feel like the entire French nation begins and ends with the Paris, but we have to remember that the revolution had many different faces depending on where one was.

Also, if you are interested in the Catholic Church in France during this time period, Tilly's work is a goldmine. He has painstakingly gathered data that is nearly impossible to locate anywhere else. =)