French Revolution: Radical Republic to Directory

Fueled by freedom of the Press 1792: Popular opinion had turned against the Monarchy!

Facts & Figures: The Guillotine Named after French doctorNamed after French doctor Total weight was about 1278 lbsTotal weight was about 1278 lbs Height of side posts was just over 14 ftHeight of side posts was just over 14 ft

Facts & Figures: The Guillotine The blade drop was about 88 inchesThe blade drop was about 88 inches It took 2/100 of a second for the head to be cut offIt took 2/100 of a second for the head to be cut off Power at impact was 888 lbs per square inchPower at impact was 888 lbs per square inch

National Convention Writes a New Constitution Ended the monarchyEnded the monarchy Made France a REPUBLIC – government with elected officialsMade France a REPUBLIC – government with elected officials Legislature called the National ConventionLegislature called the National Convention

National Convention Writes a New Constitution Universal male suffrage – all adult male citizens given the right to voteUniversal male suffrage – all adult male citizens given the right to vote Base of power – the sans culottesBase of power – the sans culottes

Primary goal was to encourage greater equalityPrimary goal was to encourage greater equality New government - supported schools for allNew government - supported schools for all Universal Elementary EducationUniversal Elementary Education Reforms of the Republic

Pamphlets to help farmers; new land for peasantsPamphlets to help farmers; new land for peasants Introduced wage & price controlsIntroduced wage & price controls Abolished slavery in French coloniesAbolished slavery in French colonies Abolished Catholic ChurchAbolished Catholic Church

Reforms of the Republic Other reforms to rid France of Old Regime:Other reforms to rid France of Old Regime: –Converted to metric system –Adopted new calendar –New street names –No formal pronouns or titles

The Sans-Culottes Lead the Way! “Without knee breeches”“Without knee breeches” Shopkeepers, artisans and workersShopkeepers, artisans and workers

The Sans-Culottes Lead the Way! Rejected elaborate clothingRejected elaborate clothing Called each other “citizen” & “citizeness”Called each other “citizen” & “citizeness” (citoyen & citoyenne)(citoyen & citoyenne) Considered patrioticConsidered patriotic

Symbols of the Revolution

Revolution spreads!Revolution spreads! Slogan of Revolution:Slogan of Revolution: “liberty, equality, fraternity!!”“liberty, equality, fraternity!!”

The Phrygian Cap of Liberty

Louis XVI Executed for Treason! Louis XVI Executed for Treason! Led by radicals - tried, convicted & beheaded king for “conspiring against liberty of the nation”Led by radicals - tried, convicted & beheaded king for “conspiring against liberty of the nation” “I forgive those who are guilty of my death…”

Execution of King Threatens Foreign Thrones Jan 1793: Monarchs of Great Britain, Spain, Netherlands & Sardinia joined Austria & Prussia in an alliance against France’s revolutionary governmentJan 1793: Monarchs of Great Britain, Spain, Netherlands & Sardinia joined Austria & Prussia in an alliance against France’s revolutionary government

Jacobins vs. Girondists in the National Convention JACOBINS (radical): supported by sans-culottes; had voted to execute Louis XVIJACOBINS (radical): supported by sans-culottes; had voted to execute Louis XVI Leaders: Robespierre, Danton & MaratLeaders: Robespierre, Danton & Marat

Jacobins vs. Girondists in the National Convention GIRONDISTS (moderate radicals): felt revolution had gone far enough & wanted to protect wealthy middle class from radical attack; wanted to spread ideasGIRONDISTS (moderate radicals): felt revolution had gone far enough & wanted to protect wealthy middle class from radical attack; wanted to spread ideas

Committee of Public Safety Formed to direct war and repel foreign invasionFormed to direct war and repel foreign invasion Adopted conscription - draft calling for all men for military serviceAdopted conscription - draft calling for all men for military service

Committee of Public Safety Also dealt with counter-revolutionaries within France (those who wanted to stop the Revolution)Also dealt with counter-revolutionaries within France (those who wanted to stop the Revolution) Revolutionary Tribunal – court that sentenced suspected counter-revolutionariesRevolutionary Tribunal – court that sentenced suspected counter-revolutionaries

Jacobins Arrest Girondists Girondists accused Jacobins of seeking the favor of the mob; hurting the economy of France; also had voted against the execution of the former king!!Girondists accused Jacobins of seeking the favor of the mob; hurting the economy of France; also had voted against the execution of the former king!!

Jacobins Arrest Girondists Jacobins charged that Girondists were secretly royalists (supporters of the king) and arrested Girondist leadersJacobins charged that Girondists were secretly royalists (supporters of the king) and arrested Girondist leaders

Girondist Retaliation! Charlotte Corday, a loyal Girondist supporter, killed Marat, the Jacobin leader (in the bathtub!)Charlotte Corday, a loyal Girondist supporter, killed Marat, the Jacobin leader (in the bathtub!)

Corday was sent to the guillotineCorday was sent to the guillotine Marat’s assassination used as excuse for:Marat’s assassination used as excuse for: the Terror...the Terror... Girondist Retaliation!

The Republic Becomes More Oppressive: The Reign of Terror! Led by Radicals, especially RobespierreLed by Radicals, especially Robespierre Hunted down suspected traitors & counter-revolutionaries & turned them over to the Revolutionary TribunalHunted down suspected traitors & counter-revolutionaries & turned them over to the Revolutionary Tribunal

The Reign of Terror Courts carried out swift trials & handed down harsh sentencesCourts carried out swift trials & handed down harsh sentences Marie Antoinette one of the first executedMarie Antoinette one of the first executed 80% of commoners died80% of commoners died

Results of the Reign of Terror: 40,000 deadResults of the Reign of Terror: 40,000 dead Stacks of heads labeled: "Clergy," "Nobles,”etc.Stacks of heads labeled: "Clergy," "Nobles,”etc. Largest stack is for the "People" or general publicLargest stack is for the "People" or general public

End of the Reign of Terror By spring of 1794, France was winning the war & had increased French territory!By spring of 1794, France was winning the war & had increased French territory! Republic was out of danger…Republic was out of danger… Danton & supporters called for an end to the TerrorDanton & supporters called for an end to the Terror

End of the Reign of Terror BUT Robespierre accused them of treason & had them sent to the guillotineBUT Robespierre accused them of treason & had them sent to the guillotine Robespierre called for a new round of arrests…Robespierre called for a new round of arrests…

The Thermidor Reaction July 1794 – Fearing their own safety, other leaders turned against Robespierre & had him executedJuly 1794 – Fearing their own safety, other leaders turned against Robespierre & had him executed Many of Robespierre’s followers were also arrestedMany of Robespierre’s followers were also arrested The people called for a new government & an end to terrorThe people called for a new government & an end to terror

Limited Republic: The Directory Limited Republic: The Directory New Constitution (again) - brought government under the control of the wealthy MIDDLE CLASSNew Constitution (again) - brought government under the control of the wealthy MIDDLE CLASS Universal male suffrage endedUniversal male suffrage ended Only men with property could voteOnly men with property could vote

Limited Republic: The Directory Limited Republic: The Directory Executive Council of 5 men called DirectorsExecutive Council of 5 men called Directors Directory ruled with a 2-house legislature (bicameral)Directory ruled with a 2-house legislature (bicameral)