Chapter 18: The FRENCH REVOLUTION and NAPOLEON

Section 2: Radical Revolution and Reaction Objectives for Today Quiz on Section 1: The French Revolution Begins. Understand the two early political factions in revolutionary France; Girondins Jacobins

Girondins Deputies of the National and Legislative Assembly that were primarily from the Gironde region of France. Representing France outside of Paris. Very influential in the early states of the revolution. Led by Jacque Pierre Brissot. Forced the declaration of war with Austria. Opposed the monarchy, but did not agree with executing Louis XVI. In favor of a more republican form of government.

Jacobins Initially a minority group, know also as the Mountain. Represented the interests of radicals in Paris. Led by Maximillien Robespierre, who drew his power from the Paris Commune. Georges Danton and Jean-Paul Marat, also important figures. Believed the king must be executed to preserve the republic. Pressure the National Convention to take more radical measures.

The fall of the Girondins and rise of the Jacobins. Initially the Girondins dominated the assemblies and later the National Conventions, after forcing the king to appoint many of their deputies. The Girondins distanced themselves from the violent massacres that took place during 1972 and 1793. As the revolution became more radical and violent the Girondins found themselves the conservative voice. This lead to their decline in power. The Jacobins come to view the Girondins as a hindrance to the revolution for their “conservative” policies.. In early 1793 the Jacobins convinced the Convention to condemn Louixs XVI to death, effectively wresting control of the revolution from the Girondins.

The Execution of King Louis XVI On January 21, 1793 the king is beheaded. The revolution enters a new and even more radical phase. Nine months after his execution Marie Antoinette was found guilty of treason and executed on September 21st, 1793

The Aftermath Following the death of Louis XVI, Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain and the Dutch Republic formed a coalition and took up arms against France. The French armies fell back and the coalition prepared for full scale invasion. The National Convention gave broad power to the Jacobin-dominated Committee of Public Safety. To protect France the Committee adopted policies that became known as the Reign of Terror.