shed
light on the activities and feelings of those officials in a position to affect
the governance of France in this tumultuous period.
Born about 1760, Joseph Fouché was the son of a ship owner. He attended university, became prefect of the college of Nantes and married. While Professor of Philosophy in Arras he met Maximillian Robespierre, another of the leaders of the French Revolution.
Fouché was elected to the Convention in 1792 and served on the Committee of Instruction. A year later the Reign of Terror was at its height and the guillotine barked its harsh bark over many a mortal. In August that same year, Napoleon, just another officer, commanded the cannon at the siege of Toulon, a French port held by the English. He rose to fame and at his heels every step was Fouche. For the next 21 years, until 1814, Fouché and Napoleon danced with the Revolution.
Fouché relates his own rise and fall, restoration to favor, and efforts to bring about peace. In every case, Fouché excuses his double dealings behind Napoleons back by claiming to be working for the Revolution and for France. Unfortunately for his credibility, Fouché had been appointed Minister of Police by Napoleon and was clearly acting against the Emperor's interest in many instances.
Fouché survived the hurley-burley of the Revolution by dint of his efficient "police" service. What ran a intelligence and counter-intelligence organization, collecting data from the peoples' pulse to the intrigues of those at the pinnacle of power. By using this "insider knowledge" he eluded the hangman more than once.
Fouché fell out of favor in 1802. He was removed from office on the excuse that since Napoleon had quelled the discontent and brought stability back to France, a minister of police was no longer necessary, but that was subterfuge of Napoleon's to rid himself of a powerful and informed adversary. For two years, Fouché lived at his estate, Pont Carre, keeping in touch via his still-active agents. He was thus was able to get wind of intrigues (though unable to act on them), and track the progress of various political parties within France. During this period, Napoleon completed his rise in power, tramping across Europe, beating army after Royal army, terrorizing rulers, all of whom felt threatened by the French Revolution and who were determined to re-seat the French King in order to bolster monarchies in general. Napoleon, became first consul (of three), then violated the letter of the Revolution, Fouche believed, by circumventing the Triumvirate duly appointed by the Revolutionary leaders. Adding insult to injury, Napoleon then established the Empire and worse, a family dynasty by appointing his brothers, Joseph and Lucien and sister Eliza to kingships within Europe. Joseph was king of Spain, though lost that country in a bloody guerilla war another of France and his sister ruled Tuscany.
As Napoleon dug his own grave, Fouché recognized the course of events as it developed and began jockeying for power. He failed, and makes excuses for having tried. Napoleon found him indispensable, however, and reinstated Fouche--another mistake. Fouché continued his intrigues and, unable to gain power for his chosen party, threw in his lot with King Louis XVIII.
Throughout the book, Fouché makes excuses for his actions, claims to have taken dozens if not hundreds of people off the executioner's lists, and to have mitigated the wrath of the Convention through negotiation and subterfuge.
Fouché exclaims that he stood alone against Napoleon, warning him time after time that he was alienating the people with his imperial dynasty, but was ignored. According to his memoirs, he stood only for the Revolution and France, supported Napoleon as long as he kept those ideals held dear by freedom-loving Frenchmen. All-in-all, Fouché's assertions are difficult to swallow. In the end, he was trusted by no one and held accountable for helping King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to the scaffold. Aside from Fouché's self-exculpatory statements, the book stands as a real source document of the French Revolution.
He makes references to many other history-makers throughout, including Lafayette, Tallyrand, Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington. One of the most interesting characters of the period was General Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, first a general of Napoleon's, in 1810 elected by the Swiss States-General to rule that land as Hereditary Prince, he later fought against Napoleon. His descendants still reign in Switzerland. Fouché is able to shed light on relationships between Napoleon and his generals including the 'braves of the brave, Ney, and the flamboyant and ambitious Joachim Murat, appointed King of Italy. Fouché was one a few dozen men thrown by reason of education and strength of will into the leadership of a divided people and whose observations on Napoleon carry the weight of close contact and study.
Following the Second Restoration, Fouché was in a position to speak authoritatively on the run of events from the French perspective. In this memoir, he exculpates himself, accuses many, and in the end claims a degree of credit for getting Napoleon off the throne. On the very first page, he says he was, "for a long time invested with a mysterious and terrible power, never wielded it but to calm the passions, dissolve factions, and prevent conspiracies."
There is no doubt Fouché was a brilliant man. His memoir actually understates
his intelligence because when written, he could not admit to the machinations
he employed to influence events. This book, 469 pages, and one of the finest
translations I have ever clapped eyes on, is a "must read" for any serious student
of the French Revolution.
Memoirs of Joseph Fouché(translated) J.B Lippencott Company Philadelphia
1892