According to Napoleon Bonaparte: “a Revolution Is an Idea Which Has Found Its Bayonets.”

According to Napoleon Bonaparte: “A Revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.” Examine the truth of this statement.

(1,499 words)

Introduction

An expansion of the statement would be as such: A Revolution is essentially the radical implementation of a consolidated, coherent socio-political idea that is empowered by cohesive, violent force and strength of arms. The statement suggests that Ideology is the fundamental determinant of Revolution.

Indeed, Revolutionary Ideology is the powerful, emotive rallying force that unifies and binds revolutionaries. It is also the rational strategy that directs the revolutionaries. For this reason, Revolutionary Ideology is synonymous with actual Revolution. This was seen in the French Revolution’s(1789) ideals of liberty and in the 1848 Revolutions that were driven by Liberalism and Nationalism.

However, streams of abstract revolutionary philosophy amount to mere theory and can effect nothing; thus Revolutionary Ideology must be seen in the context of Revolutionary political movements. These Revolutionary bodies represent the consolidation and institutionalization of Revolutionary Ideology and are responsible for organizing and leading the Revolution. Examples include the National Assembly(1789-1791), Legislative Assembly(1791-1792), the Convention(1792-1793) and the Commission for Public Safety(1793) in the French Revolution(1789). And in the 1848 Revolutions, the Provisional Republican Government(France) and the Vorparlament(German states).

As such, we can infer that the term “idea” used by Napoleon refers to these Revolutionary bodies. And it is here that the statement falters. Firstly, it implies that the Revolutionary Body is largely responsible for orchestrating Revolution. Secondly, it controls violent popular force. Thirdly, the Revolutionary Ideology is cohesive and coherent. Finally, the Revolutionary Body is able to determine the process and outcome of a Revolution.

Thus, this essay will...