ALIENS OF THE REVOLUTION.

The article examines the shifting status of British citizens living in France during the French Revolution, particularly as revolutionary fervor gave way to the Reign of Terror. Initially seen as allies of liberty, Britons in France became increasingly viewed as enemies and potential subversives amid rising Franco-British tensions and wartime paranoia. In 1793, the French National Convention, influenced by leaders like Maximilien Robespierre, ordered the mass arrest of British subjects in France, marking a departure from earlier norms by targeting civilians based largely on birthplace rather than political activity. This policy ensnared a diverse group of individuals whose identities and loyalties often transcended simple national categories, revealing the complexities of transnational lives during this period. The episode contributed to the early formation of the concept of the "enemy alien," with lasting implications for future conflicts.