British Jacobin Politics, Desires, and Aftermaths

This book examines British radicalism in the 1790s, exploring its emotional depth and connections to later political movements, particularly through British Jacobin Politics, Desires, and Aftermaths.

Focusing on British 'Jacobin' politics in the 1790s and its resurgence in later years, British Jacobin Politics, Desires, and Aftermaths emphasizes the performative aspects of radicalism and the various spaces of mobilization. The connections between popular radicals and the Romantics are examined through a dialogue that bridges history and literary studies. This exploration reveals how the emotional investments of individuals inspired by the French Revolution influenced their commitment to political transformation.

The book delves into the hopes, desires, and imagined futures that defined British radicalism during the 1790s, highlighting how this sense of possibility reemerged in subsequent decades. The articulation of 'Jacobin' sentiments showcased the aspirations of both men and women who sought change. The authors underscore the performative nature of political culture, examining spaces where mobilization occurred, including taverns, coffeehouses, and theaters. Additionally, America and New South Wales are portrayed as sites of republican citizenship and political exile, respectively, broadening the horizon of radical dreaming.

Part 1 of the volume concentrates on the political culture shaped by the evolving influence of the French Revolution, while Part 2 investigates the legacy of British Jacobinism in 1817, particularly through early Chartist memorialization and the writings of E. P. Thompson. The relationship between popular radicals and the Romantics is explored throughout, creating a dialogue that transcends the boundaries of British history and literary studies. Ultimately, British Jacobin Politics, Desires, and Aftermaths captures the revolutionary decade’s fervent yearning and its enduring impact in later years.