Cosmopolitan Patriots: Americans in Paris in the Age of Revolution

by Philipp Ziesche

This truly transnational history reveals the important role of Americans abroad in the Age of Revolution, as well as providing an early example of the limits of American influence on other nations. From the beginning of the French Revolution to its end at the hands of Napoleon, American cosmopolitans like Thomas Jefferson, Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Paine, Joel Barlow, and James Monroe drafted constitutions, argued over violent means and noble ends, confronted sudden regime changes, and negotiated diplomatic crises such as the XYZ Affair and the Louisiana Purchase. Eager to report on what they regarded as universal political ideals and practices, Americans again and again confronted the particular circumstances of a foreign nation in turmoil. In turn, what they witnessed in Paris caused these prominent Americans to reflect on the condition and prospects of their own republic. Thus, their individual stories highlight overlooked parallels between the nation-building process in both France and America, and the two countries' common struggle to reconcile the rights of man with their own national identities.

Genres: History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 18, 2010

Reviews

[Mathieu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The project behind this book -- analysing how, during the age of revolutions, not only nationalism or patriotism and cosmopolitanism were not contradictory but went hand in hand -- is particularly stimulating. As such, both the introduction and the conclusion of the book are great food for thought. However, and this is the explanation of why only 3 stars, it is quite problematic that only these parts are the most intellectually-stimulating parts.

The book proper, with its six chapters which follow a chronological order, is less satisfying. The main defect, I think, comes from the fact that Philip Ziesche chose to explore this patriotic cosmopolitanism (or cosmopolitan patriotism) only through the history of ideas. What would have been really needed is an exploration of the social networks and dimensions of this cosmopolitanism. Because, with only names like Paine, Barlow, Jefferson, Morris, Du Pont de Nemours and others of this ilk, we get the impression that cosmopolitanism was doomed to fail in the face of popular politics, replaced by a narrow conception of the sovereign nation, and that the counter-revolutionary turn of the end of the 18th century (both in the US and in France) is only natural.

Yet, despite this failing, the book is clearly (if somewhat un-passionately) written, and is a must-read for anyone interested in the Atlantic perspective of the age of revolutions or the Atlantic Republic.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ziesche focuses on the role of Americans in the French Revolution and the effect of the French Revolution on governance in the United States. I lack enough knowledge about the French Revolution to make useful conclusions, but the book is very well researched and the topic is examined deeply. In addition, it's fascinating to think about the ongoing effects of the American & French Revolutions, and to compare the universal ambitions of American revolutionaries to our efforts at "nation-building" today. Worth the read although I recommend reading a standard history of the French Revolution first to get the participants and events straight.