Radicalization of the French Revolution

After the Flight of the King 21 September 1792 NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NATIONAL CONVENTION CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCY REPUBLIC

Main Factions: Jacobins Dominant from 1792-1794 Extreme radicals Support from Urban areas Robespierre, Danton and Marat “The Mountain” “Left Wing” The Plain Support went both directions Abbe Sieyes “Centrists” Girondins Dominant until 1792 Constitutional Monarchists Support from Rural areas “Right Wing”

National Assembly - 1789 CENTER RIGHT LEFT Moderates Girondin Nobles Jacobin Speaker

Key Jacobins Robespierre: Known as “the Incorruptible” “Terror without Virtue is disastrous. Virtue without Terror is powerless.” The most extreme leader of the French Revolution

Key Jacobins Danton: Rallied the French in the War with Austria Did not support the Terror to the extent of Robespierre

Key Jacobins Marat: A Radical Journalist Called for blood in his publications Contracted a skin disease from living in the sewers of Paris (Part IV – 0:30 to 3:00)

First decisions of the NATIONAL CONVENTION All titles were banned Subjects were hailed “citoyen” or “citoyenne” (citizen) What should the new Republic do about the enemies of the Revolution?

Austria attempts to Free Louis XVI Sans-culottes #5 (5:50 – 9:33)

War with Austria April 1792 - 1797 The Girondins supported the war with Austria Robespierre was against going to war Great Powers of Europe were afraid the Revolution would spread Countries allied against France: Austria, England, Prussia, Spain, Savoy, Holland

War with Austria

The September Massacres 1792 How did Marat justify the slaughter of all the political prisoners? 1000 political prisoners were killed in less that one week Some had been prisoners for three years

 The above caricature was taken from a 1792 British cartoon, published immediately after the September Massacres in Paris.

January 21st, 1793 December 1792: Louis XVI (Citizen Capet) placed on trial for treason Condemned to death by guillotine Distribution of Convention votes Guilty: 387 Innocent: 334 Which group was in favor of sparing the King?

Execution of King Louis XVI & Marie-Antoinette “Come all the kings of Europe against us and we will hurl at their feet in defiance, the head of a king” ~ Danton #6: (3:00 to 6:12; #7 1:30 to 6:15)

Reign of Terror – Sept 1793 #7 8:30 to end; #8 2:50 to 5:00

Consequences of Terror 1793-1794 20,000 – 25,000 suspects guillotined 17,000 is the official count 40,000 people killed Suspected Monarchists and Girondins liable to summary execution

Executions During the Reign of Terror What, if anything do you find surprising about this chart?

What was the only possible way for the Reign of Terror to end? With the death of the Jacobins

The Revolution Consumes its own Marat is stabbed to death by a Girondin sympathizer

April 6th, 1794 Execution of Danton He wanted to end the Terror Robespierre disagreed

Execution of Robespierre July 28th, 1794 This was a key turning point Guillotined without a trial Over 90 Jacobin supporters executed End of the radical ideological component of the Revolution

Constitution of 1795 Creation of the DIRECTORY (1796-1799) The Terror comes to an end Pressure from financial issues & food shortages remained The climate was ripe for a military coup d’etat