Reign of Terror 11-19-24
The National Convention and the Abolishment of the Monarchy
Date: September 1792
Purpose: Called to draft a new constitution and act as the ruling body of France.
Composition: Dominated by lawyers, professionals, and property owners, with two-thirds of deputies under 45 years old, mostly having political experience from the revolution.
Distrust of the King: Most members distrusted King Louis XVI, leading to the decision to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic on September 21.
Political Clubs and Factions
Political Clubs Formation: Citizens formed clubs reflecting diverse social and political views post-1789.
The Girondins
Represented regions outside Paris.
Feared radical mobs in the capital.
The Mountain
Represented radical interests in Paris.
Many affiliated with the Jacobins Club, advocating for the king's execution to prevent him from rallying opposition.
Execution of King Louis XVI
Decree: Early 1793, the Mountain convinced the Convention to condemn Louis XVI to death.
Execution: Beheaded on January 21, 1793, via guillotine, viewed as a quick and humane method.
Consequences: Created new enemies for the revolution, escalating domestic and foreign crises.
Domestic Crises
Pressure from the Commune: Led by radicals, notably Georges Danton, calling for more radical measures.
Peasant Resistance: Many rural peasants and urban dwellers refused to acknowledge the Convention's authority.
Foreign Crisis
Coalition Against France: Countries like Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch Republic prepared to invade after Louis's execution.
Initial Military Setbacks: French armies began retreating as the coalition threatened the revolution.
The Committee of Public Safety
Formation: Created by the National Convention to address the crises; dominated by Jacobin Maximilien Robespierre.
Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Aimed at defending France from perceived threats; revolutionary courts convened to punish counterrevolutionaries.
Victims: About 40,000 people executed, with 16,000 via guillotine.
Notable Executions: Included Marie Antoinette and Olympe de Gouges.
Methods of Execution: Guillotining was supplemented by mass shootings when it was deemed too slow.
Acts of Brutality
Example of Lyon: 1,880 citizens executed as a punitive measure against rebellion.
Nantes Violence: Notoriety for victims loaded onto barges and sunk in the Loire River.
Social Control and Reforms
Republic of Virtue: Robespierre's vision for a society of virtuous citizens exemplifying revolutionary ideals.
Education: Laws introduced for primary education but poorly implemented.
Abolition of Slavery: Aimed at French colonies as part of social reform.
Economic Controls: Attempts to stabilize prices for essential goods faced enforcement difficulties.
Role of Women and De-Christianization
Women in Revolution: Active in demanding rights, including the formation of the Society for Revolutionary Republican Women in 1793.
De-Christianization Campaigns: Efforts to eliminate religious influence included:
Renaming streets, looting churches, and promoting the worship of reason.
Replacement of Sundays with new calendar system.
Military Mobilization and National Defense
Decree to Raise Army: Mobilization called for men, women, and children to support the military effort against foreign enemies.
Fast Expansion of Army: By September 1794, the army exceeded a million soldiers, the largest in Europe.
End of the Reign of Terror
Decline of Terror: By summer 1794, foreign threats mitigated, but the Terror continued.
Downfall of Robespierre: Fearing his increasing power, the National Convention members voted to execute him on July 28, 1794.
Aftermath of Robespierre's Death
Moderate Control: Shift of power to moderate leaders; cessation of the Reign of Terror.
Constitution of 1795: Set up a new government with two legislative houses and restricted voting rights to property owners.
Lower House: Council of 500 drafted laws.
Upper House: Council of Elders reviewed and approved laws.
Directory: A five-member executive body plagued by corruption lasting from 1795 to 1799.
Napoleon's Coup: In 1799, General Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état.
The National Convention and the Abolishment of the Monarchy Date: September 1792 Purpose: Called to draft a new constitution and act as the ruling body of France. Composition: Dominated by lawyers, professionals, and property owners, with two-thirds of deputies under 45 years old, mostly having political experience from the revolution. Distrust of the King: Most members distrusted King Louis XVI, leading to the decision to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic on September 21.
Political Clubs and Factions Political Clubs Formation: Citizens formed clubs reflecting diverse social and political views post-1789. The Girondins: Represented regions outside Paris. Feared radical mobs in the capital. The Mountain: Represented radical interests in Paris. Many affiliated with the Jacobins Club, advocating for the king's execution to prevent him from rallying opposition.
Execution of King Louis XVI Decree: Early 1793, the Mountain convinced the Convention to condemn Louis XVI to death. Execution: Beheaded on January 21, 1793, via guillotine, viewed as a quick and humane method. Consequences: Created new enemies for the revolution, escalating domestic and foreign crises.
Domestic Crises Pressure from the Commune: Led by radicals, notably Georges Danton, calling for more radical measures. Peasant Resistance: Many rural peasants and urban dwellers refused to acknowledge the Convention's authority.
Foreign Crisis Coalition Against France: Countries like Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch Republic prepared to invade after Louis's execution. Initial Military Setbacks: French armies began retreating as the coalition threatened the revolution.
The Committee of Public Safety Formation: Created by the National Convention to address the crises; dominated by Jacobin Maximilien Robespierre. Reign of Terror (1793-1794): Aimed at defending France from perceived threats; revolutionary courts convened to punish counterrevolutionaries. Victims: About 40,000 people executed, with 16,000 via guillotine. Notable Executions: Included Marie Antoinette and Olympe de Gouges. Methods of Execution: Guillotining was supplemented by mass shootings when it was deemed too slow.
Acts of Brutality Example of Lyon: 1,880 citizens executed as a punitive measure against rebellion. Nantes Violence: Notoriety for victims loaded onto barges and sunk in the Loire River.
Social Control and Reforms Republic of Virtue: Robespierre's vision for a society of virtuous citizens exemplifying revolutionary ideals. Education: Laws introduced for primary education but poorly implemented. Abolition of Slavery: Aimed at French colonies as part of social reform. Economic Controls: Attempts to stabilize prices for essential goods faced enforcement difficulties.
Role of Women and De-Christianization Women in Revolution: Active in demanding rights, including the formation of the Society for Revolutionary Republican Women in 1793. De-Christianization Campaigns: Efforts to eliminate religious influence included:
Renaming streets, looting churches, and promoting the worship of reason.
Replacement of Sundays with new calendar system.
Military Mobilization and National Defense Decree to Raise Army: Mobilization called for men, women, and children to support the military effort against foreign enemies. Fast Expansion of Army: By September 1794, the army exceeded a million soldiers, the largest in Europe.
End of the Reign of Terror Decline of Terror: By summer 1794, foreign threats mitigated, but the Terror continued. Downfall of Robespierre: Fearing his increasing power, the National Convention members voted to execute him on July 28, 1794.
Aftermath of Robespierre's Death Moderate Control: Shift of power to moderate leaders; cessation of the Reign of Terror. Constitution of 1795: Set up a new government with two legislative houses and restricted voting rights to property owners. Lower House: Council of 500 drafted laws. Upper House: Council of Elders reviewed and approved laws. Directory: A five-member executive body plagued by corruption lasting from 1795 to 1799. Napoleon's Coup: In 1799, General Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory in a coup d'état.