Education and the French Revolution

The French Revolution was the first of the great social upheavals which transformed European society; its effects on the French national educational system and its wider influence on education is obviously important. Little has been written on the topic and Professor Barnard offers a modern study. He begins with a survey of the educational system under the Ancien Régime and describes the criticisms and schemes of reform which had already been offered before the Revolution. Then follow accounts of the educational activities of the revolutionary assemblies and the individual institutions set up during the period. The story ends with an account of the lasting influence of these reforms. Throughout, Professor Barnard emphasises the importance of the concept of education as a fundamental civic right and the duty of the state to provide and regulate it. The book gives the student of the history of education, of social history and modern France a useful survey of a central topic.