history

National Convention

(1792–1795)

• Abolished monarchy, declared the First French Republic.

• Allowed all male citizens to vote and hold office.

• Faced opposition: Girondists (moderates) vs. Jacobins (radicals).

De-Christianization

• Took Church land and power, killed clergy.

• State handled marriage and birth records.

• Created Cult of the Supreme Being (1794).

Jacobins

• Radical political group.

• Demanded execution of King Louis XVI (1793).

Maximilien Robespierre

• Leader of Committee of Public Safety.

• Ruled during the Reign of Terror (1793–1794).

• Executed in the Thermidorian Reaction (1794).

Reign of Terror

 (1793–1794)

• Thousands executed by guillotine.

• Ended with Robespierre’s death.

The Directory 

(1795–1799)

• Five-man executive government.

• Weak and corrupt.

• Overthrown by Napoleon.

Napoleon Bonaparte

• Born in Corsica.

• Successful general in Italy.

• Rose to power through military fame.

Coup d’État (1799)

• Napoleon overthrew the Directory.

• Became First Consul (dictator).

Concordat of 1801

• Agreement with Pope restoring Catholic Church influence.

• Kept Church under state control

Napoleonic Code (1804)

• New law code.

• Promoted equality before law and order.

• Restricted free speech and press.

Marie Antoinette

 (1755–1793)

• Queen of France, wife of King Louis XVI.

• Originally from Austria (Habsburg princess).

• Unpopular for her spending and luxury → nicknamed “Madame Deficit.”

• Symbol of monarchy’s excess during the Revolution.

• Tried and executed by guillotine in 1793.