DOI: 10.22281/2413-9912-2022-06-04-115-122

Samsarov A.I.

PAUL BARRAS: THE ORIGINS OF A POLITICAL BIOGRAPHY

The article describes a little-known period in the life of one of the major figures of the French Revolution — Paul Barras (1755-1829). That was the time of his youth, attempts to make a career as a professional military man. At the same time, the formation of his socio-political ideas took place. The study of this figure is undoubtedly important, since Barras played a key role in such turning points of the revolution as: 9 Thermidor — the overthrow of the Jacobin dictatorship and 13 Vendemière (October 5, 1795) — the defeat of a dangerous royalist uprising that almost destroyed the Republic. He will go down in world history as the leader of the Directory regime. The economic troubles of this stage of the French Revolution, the machinations of corrupt officials, political instability — all this will be blamed primarily on him. He was presented as a certain deputy — a businessman closely connected with the so-called new bourgeoisie. A careful study of his youth does not seem to fit well with such ideas and versions. Neither by origin, nor by his way of life, Paul Barras had anything to do with the French bourgeoisie, neither with the old — Rentier, nor with the new — business. It was a typical representative of the noble nobility of the «sword». His attitude to material values was also appropriate. Such people could squander funds, «burn life», but they were not adapted to entrepreneurial activity. Barras was attracted by service in the navy, adventures in the French colonies. Under these conditions, Barras showed himself to be an independent and courageous military officer, able to show ingenuity at a critical moment. And in another way, his behavior resembled the lifestyle of many young nobles of his time. Just like them, he was a member of the Masonic lodge, visited salons, and was attentive to new social trends. Already under the Old Order, this nobleman and naval officer was inclined towards change. The outbreak of the revolution accelerated this process. This study focuses on the previously little-studied moments of Barras’s biography, such as his military career and social life in Paris before the revolution. The work is based on the memoirs of Barras, parliamentary materials, as well as on domestic and foreign scientific literature.

Keywords: French revolution, Barras, Provence, Fox Amphou, Pondicherry, Paris, Convention, Commissioner.

Academician I.G. Petrovskii Bryansk State University (Russia)

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