Muslims and Citizens: Islam, Politics, and the French Revolution

A groundbreaking study of the role of Muslims in eighteenth-century France, "Muslims and Citizens" explores how revolutionaries used Muslims as a test case for their ideals and how the French Revolution's fascination with the Muslim world paved the way to Napoleon's disastrous invasion of Egypt in 1798.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 360 pages
\n Publication date: 07 April 2020
\n Publisher: Yale University Press
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A groundbreaking exploration into the intricate relationship between Muslims and French citizenship during the eighteenth century emerges in this meticulously researched and compelling narrative. This elegant, braided history stands as a vital resource for scholars of the French Revolution and those with a deep interest in modern France.

From the very outset, the French revolutionaries envisioned their transformative journey as a universal endeavor, encompassing the inclusion of Muslims, Europe's closest neighbors. They held steadfast beliefs in a world where Muslims could and would embrace the status of French citizens, yet their visions of universalism were met with fierce disagreements regarding the harmonious integration of religious and social diversity.

On the other hand, Muslims, too, discerned an opportunity, particularly as European powers turned their backs on the newly established French Republic, leaving the Muslim polities of the Middle East and North Africa as France's sole allies in the region. In Muslims and Citizens, Coller delves into the intricate processes through which Muslims became active participants in the political upheavals of the revolution. He also uncovers how revolutionaries employed Muslims in France and beyond as a testing ground for their ideals.

In the final chapter of this remarkable work, Coller unveils how the French Revolution's fascination with the Muslim world laid the groundwork for Napoleon's catastrophic invasion of Egypt in 1798. This insightful analysis sheds light on the complex interplay of historical events, illuminating the profound impact of religious and cultural differences on the course of European history.

In conclusion, Muslims and Citizens emerges as a groundbreaking contribution to the field of history, offering a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between Muslims and French citizenship during the eighteenth century. This essential work is a must-read for students of the French Revolution, as well as anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of modern France and its intricate connections with the wider world.

\n Weight: 700g\n
Dimension: 166 x 242 x 32 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780300243369\n \n