Terrorists, Anarchists, and Republicans: The Genevans and the Irish in Time of Revolution

In 1798, the British massacred members of the United Irishmen at Geneva Barracks, a half-built town near Waterford in Ireland. The site was the remnants of New Geneva, an experimental community of Calvinist republican rebels who fled the continent in 1782. The British believed that the rectitude and industriousness of these imported revolutionaries would have a positive effect on the Irish populace, but the experiment was abandoned after the Calvinists demanded greater independence and more state money. Richard Whatmore's book "Terrorists, Anarchists, and Republicans" explores a violent age in which powerful states like Britain and France intervened in the affairs of smaller, weaker countries, justifying their actions on the grounds of stopping anarchists and terrorists from destroying society, religion, and government. The massacre at Geneva Barracks marked an end to the old Europe of diverse political forms and the ascendancy of powerful states seeking empire and markets, in many respects the end of enlightenment itself.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 512 pages
Publication date: 14 December 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In 1798, a tragic event unfolded near Waterford, Ireland, as members of the United Irishmen, inspired by the French Revolution, faced a massacre at the hands of the British. The site of their demise, known as Geneva Barracks, held significance as it was the remnants of an experimental community called New Geneva. New Geneva was a settlement of Calvinist republican rebels who fled the continent in 1782, seeking a haven away from persecution. The British, driven by the belief that the rectitude and industriousness of these imported revolutionaries would positively impact the Irish populace, initiated the experiment. However, the Calvinists soon demanded greater independence and state funding for their project, leading to the abandonment of New Geneva.

Terrorists, Anarchists, and Republicans delves into the story of a utopian city founded on the principles of liberty and republican values, which tragically transformed into a place of annihilation for republicans who had fought for liberty. Author Richard Whatmore vividly brings to life a violent era characterized by powerful nations like Britain and France intervening in the affairs of smaller, weaker countries, justifying their actions as a means to prevent the destruction of society, religion, and government. On the other hand, the Genevans and the Irish rebels saw themselves as advocates of republican virtue, willing to sacrifice everything for the cause of liberty, rights, and the public good.

The massacre at Geneva Barracks marked a significant turning point in history. It signaled the end of the old Europe, characterized by diverse political forms, and the rise of powerful states seeking empire and markets. In many ways, it can be seen as the end of the enlightenment itself. The event left a lasting impact on the political landscape, shaping the course of events for generations to come. It serves as a reminder of the complex and often tumultuous relationships between nations, ideologies, and the pursuit of power.

Weight: 806g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 34 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691206646