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 PUESENTKI) UY 
 
The Spirit of Propagandism 
 in the French Revolution 
 
 1789-1793 
 
 An Abstract of a Thesis present- 
 ed to the Faculty of Philosophy 
 of the University of Pennsylvania 
 
 By 
 
 Arthur Guy Terry 
 
 In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for 
 the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. 1906 
 
Gift 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 Propagandism began with the Revolution no more 
 than the doctrines which were to be propagated. The 
 ideas of popular sovereignty, personal liberty, and equal- 
 ity before the law were familiar to Frenchmen and had 
 been transmitted to various quarters of Europe before 
 the meeting of the States General in 1789, In England 
 they had been practically in effect for a century, but the 
 forms of monarchy surviving there had obscured the 
 fact to all save a few critical observers. The speculative 
 minds of the eighteenth century had been busy with 
 these ideas for nearly fifty years, and among a certain 
 intelligent class they had received a wide circulation 
 and a considerable acceptance before the period when our 
 study begins. 
 
 This fact explains whatever success the French had 
 in disseminating their political faith. It explains the 
 appearance in each of the neighboring states, at the out- 
 break of the Revolution, of a group of sympathizers who 
 attempted to convert their fellow countrymen to the new 
 regime. The intellectual movement had begun which in 
 time was to revolutionize the political and social structure 
 of all the European nations, a movement which in our 
 day seems to be witnessing its final manifestation in the 
 great empire of Russia. 
 
 The real influence of the French, then, after the out- 
 break of the Revolution of 1789, lay, not in implanting 
 among their neighbors a new doctrine, but in forcibly 
 attacking the ancient structures and in so weakening 
 them as to give room for the ideas already implanted to 
 find natural growth. The rude attempts of the French 
 armies to enforce republicanism upon surrounding na- 
 tions failed utterly, or, if in a few cases they succeeded, 
 it was because the subjects were ready and willing to be 
 enforced. But in most cases the peoples of Europe were 
 not ready. Time was needed for the new ideas to de- 
 velop. They were already there. 
 

 In the enthusiasm of their own successful Revolution ^ 
 the French thought they could hasten the day of regen- 
 eration for their neighbors. They permitted themselves 
 to believe that, instead of small factions, whole popula- 
 tions in the foreign states were thoroughly imbued with 
 the spirit of revolution and anxious to shake off the 
 yoke. This view was thoroughly characteristic of the 
 impractical and visionary minds of the revolutionists 
 — that complete inability to appreciate the hold estab- 
 lished custom has on mankind for which Burke de- 
 nounced them so persistently. In the prevalence of this 
 notion there appeared at an early date in the Revolution 
 a tendency toward some active form of propagandism. 
 This tendency obtained no very distinct headway until 
 fears of European intervention began to arise. Then 
 France hurled back the threat of the Propaganda. The 
 Revolution realized that in this it possessed a unique 
 and powerful weapon. Imagination readily suggested 
 the idea of all the peoples of Europe rising to crush their 
 tyrannical rulers, and of a world restored upon the the- 
 ory of Rousseau, readjusting its affairs to suit the new 
 conditions of popular sovereignty, equality, universal 
 peace and brotherhood. 
 
 This fancy was so pleasing, the faith in its fulfillment 
 was so strong, that, doubtless, it greatly encouraged the 
 reckless spirit that plunged France and Europe into a 
 twenty years' war. When the war broke out, the Propa- 
 ganda, or a general insurrection of peoples against kings, 
 was officially recognized by the French government, and 
 was counted upon as an important part of the military 
 resources of the Republic. 
 
 The object of this study is to note the emergence of 
 the propagandist sentiment, the gradual development of 
 its influence over the minds of the ruling men of France, 
 and the subsequent decline of that influence after the 
 first attempt at application of the theory had signally 
 failed. 
 
For the debates of the Constituent and Legislative As- 
 sembHes I have employed the Archives Parlementaires, 
 because the clear type and simple arrangement make it 
 the most convenient work to use. But, inasmuch as the 
 Archives has been severely criticized as a source by lead- 
 ing scholars, I have used it with great caution, compar- 
 ing the passages with the more authentic reports of the 
 Proces-verbal and Moniteur, and accepting for the most 
 part only those speeches for which the editors have seen 
 fit to cite the original source. I have drawn heavily upon 
 the Moniteur, not only for its reports of debates in the 
 National Assembly, but for other important material it 
 contains, notably the letters of correspondents abroad and 
 the published correspondence of generals in the field. 
 My references to the Moniteur are to the reprint of 1840. 
 
 Of the secondary authorities bearing upon the subject 
 I have found most useful M. Sorel's recently com- 
 pleted work on the external relations of the Revolution, 
 UEurope et la Revolution Frangaise, and M, Chu- 
 quet's exhaustive treatise on the military history of the 
 Revolution. The former speaks very suggestively on the 
 subjective phases of the propagandist spirit, and the lat- 
 ter vividly describes the work of the armies and agents 
 of the government in active propagandism. So far as 
 I am aware, no separate study of the Propaganda has 
 yet been published. Several monographs have appeared 
 treating of the influence of the French Revolution in par- 
 ticular states of Europe, and upon these I have drawn 
 for certain facts. 
 
 An apology may be necessary for the frequent and 
 extended quotations from sources, especially throughout 
 the first chapter. The reason for this Hes in the nature 
 of the subject, where, in tracing the growth of a some- 
 what intangible form of revolutionary enthusiasm, the 
 exact phraseology in which it finds expression must have 
 considerable significance. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 Chapter I. — Rise of the Propagandist Idea. 
 
 1. The Journals. 
 
 Expression of the propagandist idea traced in two 
 famous revolutionary newspapers, the "Revolu- 
 tions de Paris" and the "Revolutions de France 
 et de Brabant," with frequent illustrative quota- 
 tions, 
 
 2. The Clubs. 
 
 Expression of the propagandist idea in the debates 
 and correspondence of the Jacobin Club traced 
 down to March, 1793, with illustrative quotations. 
 
 Examination of the so-called "Club of the Propa- 
 ganda," and the "Club of 1789," with the conclu- 
 sion that these societies were not engaged in prop- 
 aganda. 
 
 3. The National Assembly. 
 
 Expression of the propagandist idea traced through 
 the debates and proceedings of the Constituent 
 and Legislative Assemblies and the Convention to 
 April, 1793. Here the development of the Giron- 
 dist war policy is carefully followed, and the 
 passage of the declaration of war of April 20, 
 1792, is closely analyzed. The history of the 
 propagandist decrees of November 19th and De- 
 cember 15th, 1792, receives particular attention. 
 The principal topics of this section, in order of 
 discussion, follow : 
 (i) The Constituent Assembly. 
 
 Greetings from foreign societies. 
 
 Anacharsis Cloots and the "Deputation of Man- 
 kind." 
 
 The decree renouncing conquest. 
 
 The first rumors of war. 
 (2) The Legislative Assembly. 
 
 Debate on the emigres. 
 
 Veto of the decree of Nov. 9, 1791. 
 
Isnard's speech, and the Address to the King. 
 The Girondist war agitation. 
 Negotiations with Vienna. 
 The Declaration of War, April 20, 1792. 
 The purpose of the war. 
 Temporary decline of propagandism. 
 Effects of Valmy. 
 (3) The Convention. 
 The invasion of Nice, Savoy, the Rhenish 
 
 States and Belgium. 
 High tide of propagandist sentiment. 
 The decree of November 19th, 1792. 
 Propagandism or Conquest? 
 Annexation of Savoy. 
 The decree of December 15th. 
 England wants an explanation. 
 Annexation of Nice. 
 "Natural Limits." 
 More annexations. 
 Preparations to invade Holland. 
 Defeat at Neerwinden and effect. 
 The decree of April 13, 1793. 
 Propagandism abandoned. 
 
 Chapter II. — Active Propagandism. 
 
 1. Writings. 
 
 Review of notices respecting the circulation of revo- 
 lutionary journals, pamphlets, and books in neigh- 
 boring states, and the efforts of the governments 
 at suppression. 
 
 2. Emissaries. 
 
 Discussion of the different classes of agents active 
 in disseminating revolutionary doctrines outside of 
 France, viz. ; emissaries of clubs, ambassadors 
 of the Republic, refugees, travellers, actors. 
 
 3. Patriotic Societies. 
 
 Inquiry into the relations between the Jacobins and 
 foreign societies. 
 
Armed Propaganda. 
 
 A study of the campaigns of the French armies in 
 Savoy, Nice, the Rhenish States, and Belgium 
 between September, 1792, and March, 1793, with 
 a detailed examination of the propagandist activi- 
 ties of each. The methods were everywhere the 
 same. First, the incendiary proclamation of the 
 commanding general; then the levy of contribu- 
 tions on privileged and official classes, together 
 with studied kindness to the common people ; the 
 formation of clubs and opening of correspondence 
 with French Societies; the influx of a horde of 
 French proselyters, deputies on mission, agents of 
 the executive council, emissaries of clubs and 
 others, to "fraternize" with the "liberated" people 
 and to teach them liberty and equality; the intro- 
 duction of the tricolor, the liberty tree, the liberty 
 cap, the songs, dances, fetes and ceremonies of 
 the Revolution. 
 
SUMMARY OF CHAPTER I. 
 
 The development of the propagandist idea has been 
 followed from its first appearance to its decline in 1793. 
 In recapitulating, the story might be told in six decrees 
 which mark the successive stages of development. 
 
 1. Tjhe decree renouncing conquests. This act is rep- 
 resentative of the early period of the Revolution when 
 the propagandist sentiment was quiescent. This was the 
 period when France was basking in the bright sunlight 
 of freshly achieved Liberty, and the spirit of peace on 
 earth, good-will toward men prevailed. The utmost 
 desire, outside of securing her own freedom, was that 
 other nations might benefit by the example, and also find 
 the light. 
 
 2. The address of the Legislative Assembly to the 
 King on November 29, 1791, urging him to warn the 
 German princes to desist from their machinations against 
 the Revolution or France will carry Liberty into their 
 states. Here the propagandist spirit becomes aggressive. 
 It is now used as a threat to the hostile powers, telling 
 them to stand off if they wish to avoid infection. During 
 this period the Girondist orators fan the enthusiasm in 
 urging the nation to undertake an offensive war. 
 
 3. The declaration of war of April 20, 1792. Armed 
 propagandism now becomes the accepted policy. The 
 war is waged, not upon states or nations, but upon 
 "tyrants." Their oppressed subjects are to be liberated. 
 The successful period of the war following the retreat of 
 Brunswick sees the climax of propagandist enthusiasm, 
 which is expressed in — 
 
 4. The Decree of November 19, 1792, offering assist- 
 ance to any peoples who desire to throw off the yoke of 
 despotism. Almost at the same time appear the signs of 
 the coming change. Savoy and Nice are annexed. Bel- 
 gium is overrun, but refuses to change her social order 
 for the French system of equality. The Republic needs 
 money. It is decided to enforce the French system on 
 
Belgium in spite of her protests, and then to invade Hol- 
 land for more treasure and territory. 
 
 5. The Decree of December 15th, with later amend- 
 ments, turns the war into conquest. Belgium is annexed 
 against the will of a majority of her people. Soon after- 
 ward the doctrine of natural boundaries is openly advo- 
 cated. War is declared on England and Holland and 
 later on Spain. Then the period of disaster comes in 
 March, 1793, and the war becomes defensive. The Con- 
 vention realizes its position, sees that the Decree of No- 
 vember 19th was a political mistake, that armed propa- 
 gandism is impracticable, and retracts by passing 
 
 6. The Decree of April 13, 1793. Here the policy of 
 non-intervention with the internal affairs of other states 
 is adopted. Revolutionary propagandism had already 
 turned into conquest and territorial expansion. It is now 
 abandoned in theory as well as in fact. 
 
 SUMMARY OF CHAPTER H. 
 
 1. There was no very considerable dissemination of 
 French pamphlets and newspapers abroad, since they 
 were strictly prohibited in most European countries and, 
 moreover, would have been unintelligible to the masses 
 of the people, of whom no great proportion, save, per- 
 haps, in the principalities close to the border, understood 
 the French language. Knowledge of the doctrines and 
 events of the Revolution was conveyed to these peoples 
 by newspapers and writers of their own nationality — not 
 by Frenchmen. 
 
 2. It was the policy of the Jacobin Society to propa- 
 gate the doctrines of the Revolution solely by discussion. 
 It sent no emissaries to incite rebellion in foreign states. 
 Individual members may have undertaken self-appointed 
 missions of that character, but probably in very few cases 
 with the formal sanction of the society. 
 
 3. While the Jacobin Club held friendly correspond- 
 ence with foreign patriotic societies, notably those of 
 England, there was no regular affiliation between it and 
 
any foreign society, except in conquered territories. 
 
 4. Wherever the armies of France penetrated in the 
 campaigns of 1792-3 they sought to revolutionize the 
 conquered peoples, using toward that end every possible 
 means. 
 
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 Archives Parlementaires. Ed. M. J. Mavidal and 
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 Auckland, Lord (Wm. Eden, first baron) ; Journal 
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 Aulard, F.-A. ; Histoire Politique de la Revolution 
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 Avenel, Georges; Anacharsis Cloots. Paris, 1865. 
 
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 THEj MANUSCRIPT OP th:^ compi,:ete; thesis can 
 
 BE CONSUI^TED AT THE I^IBRARY OP THE 
 UNIVERSITY OP PENNSYI,VANIA.