Syllabus_French_Revolution

Autumn 1791: Marat was hiding from authorities, sometimes in danger of arrest.
Contracted a skin disease that affected his health.
Had a contemptuous view of the Marquis de Lafayette and Jean Sylvain Bailly due to martial law declarations and his arrests following the Champs de Mars massacre.
With his printing presses destroyed, he struggled to publish his newspaper, L'Ami du Peuple, but managed to circulate an article critical of the new constitution before fleeing to England.

Marat described public enthusiasm for the constitution as a "fashionable folly".
- Argued it seduced naive individuals who could not recognize its flaws.
- Claimed the constitution served to preserve royal authority rather than liberate the people.
Marat emphasized its failure, labeling the government formed by it as a mere administration of "royal commissioners" despite the limited powers of King Louis XVI.
- The king lacked legislative power and could only enact a suspensory veto, demonstrating limited trust from the people.

Louis XVI's persistent vetoes stalled essential government legislation for up to three years, hampering the Revolution.
Moderates argued to keep the monarchy intact to avoid destabilizing the Revolution, fearing foreign intervention if monarchy was abolished.
The Feuillants Club, consisting of moderates like Antoine Barnave, insisted on the need for the king and constitution, which ironically led to the discredit of their cause as Louis’s vetoes exacerbated revolutionary tensions.

With moderate leaders discredited, the Jacobin Club rose in influence, with members like Jacques-Pierre Brissot taking charge of the Legislative Assembly.
Brissot viewed Louis XVI as untrustworthy and sought radical measures to ensure revolutionary goals.
- His response to the Declaration of Pillnitz showcased mounting tension with foreign monarchies expressing a united front against revolutionary France.
Brissot called for a preemptive strike against Austria and Prussia, igniting a fervent revolutionary zeal among the Girondins, despite the military and financial shortcomings of France.

Critical flaws in the French military included:
- Lack of skilled leadership due to the noble officer corps fleeing during the Great Fear.
- Emigrés aiding invading Austrian and Prussian armies.
- Financial constraints of the heavily indebted French state diminished war viability.

On April 20, 1792, the Legislative Assembly declared war, with Louis XVI officially supported it, which raised suspicions regarding his motives.
French armies faced disarray and disorder, contradicting optimistic Girondin views about success and support during invasions.

Amidst military failures, paranoia surged among Parisians, leading to the Brunswick Manifesto, where the Duke of Brunswick warned of destruction if the king was harmed.
This manifesto incited fear and anger, resulting in the August 10, 1792, insurrection against the monarchy.

The Tuileries Palace was stormed; Louis XVI was arrested, which led to the suspension of the monarchy and the rise of radical power without moderate checks.

Radicalized sans-culottes stormed prisons, resulting in the mass killing of suspected royalists and others deemed enemies of the Revolution.
- The violence, including the execution of priests, nobles, and political opponents, drew condemnation across Europe and further isolated France.

With Louis arrested, discussions began around the legality of his trial; many questioned whether he could be tried under the now-void Constitution of 1791.
Montagnards called for immediate execution, claiming Louis was a traitor who endangered the Revolution.
Girondins argued for due process, some suggesting a referendum on the king’s fate, fearing further chaos if Louis was put to death.

Louis appeared before the Convention, confidently denying charges of treason, implicating others instead.
His defense attorney, Raymond de Séze, challenged the legitimacy of the trial and the evidence against Louis.

Attempted flight to Austria with intent to restore absolute monarchy.
Vetoed legislative actions and contributed to military designs against revolutionary governance.
Facilitated foreign invasion by seeking support from monarchs.

On January 15, 1793, 693 deputies voted guilty; the debate then shifted to execution.
A narrow decision ultimately condemned Louis to death; he was executed on January 21, 1793, becoming a symbol of revolutionary justice.

The guillotine, introduced by Dr. Joseph Guillotin, became a symbol of equality in execution, reflecting revolutionary values.
Louis’s execution represented a brutal yet swift end to his reign, embodying the radical break from the past under the guise of enlightened justice.