Reform and terror
National Assembly “Rights of Man” State-Church Economic Pay off French debt Offended Catholics
Divided New constitution with Legislative Assembly as the governing body How to handle problems/function of gov. splits France Radicals No monarchy Moderates Some changes Conservatives Wanted monarchy
War Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria and Prussia Mobs and riots in Paris Radicals force depose the King, dissolve assembly, call for new elections New body is the National Convention No monarchy Adult men could vote; no women
National Convention King Louis tried for treason Convicted and beheaded Drafted citizens for war Including women
Reign of Terror Radical leader Maximilien Robespierre gains power Committee of Public Safety De facto dictator of France Tried enemies Anyone not as radical as he 40,000 executed Eventually gets guillotined The Directory is new gov. Moderates of upper middle class
The Guillotine Originally developed to promote equality Quick and painless for all Estimated that head kept hearing and eyesight for 15 minutes Cruel and unusual?