Part 2/11:
Three monarchs—Louis XVIII, Charles X, and Louis Philippe—attempt to reconcile their royalist ideologies with the revolutions and reforms initiated during the Napoleonic era, each ultimately failing in their endeavor. The story of France during this turbulent period cannot be told without acknowledging the lasting impact of Napoleon and the complexities of his legacy.
The Bourbon Restoration and Its Challenges
Following Napoleon's abdication, the victorious allies reinstated the Bourbon monarchy, placing Louis XVIII on the throne as the brother of the executed Louis XVI. Tasked with leading a constitutional monarchy, Louis XVIII was acutely aware of the political landscape shaped by the Revolution. He understood that a return to the absolutism of the Old Regime was untenable.