Radicals, War, and Regicide

Conservative What comes to mind when you hear this term? What does it mean to be conservative? Who or what do you associate with conservatives?

Moderate What comes to mind when you hear this term? What does it mean to be moderate? Who or what do you associate with moderates?

Radical What comes to mind when you hear this term? What does it mean to be radical? Who or what do you associate with radicals?

France’s Political Spectrum Radicals Moderates Conservatives Wanted further revolution Wanted some changes Wanted to keep the monarchy intact (limited monarchy) Sans-culottes  “Without knee breeches;” usually the poorest members of Third Estate. Often took actions of violence Sat in the center aisles of the Legislative Assembly’s meeting hall Desired very few to no changes Jacobins  extremist political party that wanted an end to the monarchy and death to anyone who supported the monarchy Girodins moderate liberals who wanted a democratic constitution Sat on the right side of the Legislative Assembly’s meeting hall Sat on the left side of Legislative Assembly’s meeting hall

Sans-culottes

War Many European nations feared revolutions similar to the one in France Prussia & Austria (the queens home country) want French to restore Louis’ power Radical French government declares war on Prussia

Regicide What to do with Louis XVI? Jacobins Giordins King must face justice No need for a trial; he has been overthrown Giordins King must be judged by a court He is a citizen like all Frenchmen Wanted citizens to decide whether or not Louis deserved the death penalty

Regicide The Trial No one votes “not guilty” (691-0) Referendum to allow the people to decide king’s punishment failed (424-283) Government votes in favor of death penalty (387-334)