september 21, 1792- newly formed national convention (ruling body of france, mostly bourgeoisie) met for new constitution, ended up abolishing the monarchy and establishing a republic
girondins- represented areas outside of paris (so like literally everywhere else in the country), less radical
jacobins- super radical, wanted to kill the king, from paris
jan 21, 1793- king louis xvi is executed by guillotine, reinforced domination of radicals
the paris commune (paris governing body, led by georges danton) pressured national convention to be more radical
lots of areas in rural france didn’t accept the rule of the national convention
lots of countries tried to invade france to reinstate the monarchy
national convention gave power to the committee of public safety (led by maximilien robespierre)
1793-1794 (reign of terror)- committee of public safety took over
40,000 people executed (“rebels” or aristocrats)
1st/2nd estate were 15% of executions, rest were 3rd estate
committee tried to reshape france by turning it into the “republic of virtue”
called everyone citizen
expanding education (didn’t work)
got rid of slavery
control inflation (didn’t work)
more voice to women (unofficially)
dechristianization (didn’t work, most of france was catholic already)
new calendar (really weird)
created the first ever draft for upcoming invasions- before, wars were the games of kings, now it concerned the people
summer 1794- mostly defeated enemies, but robespierre was still in power. everyone was afraid of him, but he was guillotined on july 28, 1794 (ending reign of terror)
more chill after that
two legislative houses
ruled by extremely corrupt five-person directory (who was overthrown in 1799 by napoleon in a coup d’etat