Thermidorian Reaction France: 1791-1795 Legislative Assembly National Convention Reign of Terror Thermidorian Reaction
What factors prevented the resolution of the revolutionary fervor? Why didn’t the French Revolution end with the creation of a new Constitution and Government in 1791? What factors prevented the resolution of the revolutionary fervor?
Why?: International Phase Emigres abroad Girondins (party of international revolution) Marquis de Condorcet Declare war on Austria April 1792 Expansion (Avignon, German lands) Treaty of Pillnitz (Prussian allies with Austria) Conservatism – Edmund Burke Reflections on the Revolution in France
The Political Spectrum TODAY: 1790s: The Plain (swing votes) Montagnards (“The Mountain”) Girondists Monarchíen (Royalists) Jacobins Source: Susan Pojer HGHS
European Reaction
Sans-Culottes: Parisian Working class The Jacobins Robespierre Sans-Culottes: Parisian Working class
Paris Commune – Aug 1792 Revolutionary municipal government Demanded greater democracy September Massacres (prompted by propaganda) Worsening economic conditions fueled civil unrest Losses on the battlefield (Brunswick Manifesto- July 1792) stirred patriotic excitement
The Radical “Second” French Revolution: Overview The National Convention: 1792-1794 Girondin Rule Jacobin Rule Reign of Terror Thermidorian Reaction The Directory 1795-1799
What sparked the radical turn of the French Revolution in 1792?
“The Death of Marat” by Jacques Louis David, 1793
Paul Jacques Aimee Baudry, 19c The Assassination of Marat by Charlotte Corday Paul Jacques Aimee Baudry, 19c
National Convention 1792-1795
Executed the King and Queen January 1793 Marie Executed in October 1793
New Government, Again! New Constitution National Convention “real” democratic reforms Universal male suffrage, abolition of slavery, end of all manorial policies (as liberal as it will become!) Military Success (Levee in Masse) Differing views intenstify
Maximillian Robespierre (1758 – 1794) The Incorruptible? To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is barbarity.” — Maximilien Robespierre, 1794
Georges Danton
Gave republicanism a bad name! Reign of Terror: 9.1793 - 7.1794 Committee of Public Safety (12 members) Revolutionary Courts Guillotine De-Christianization (New Calendar) Law of General Maximum: Economic Controls Law of Suspects: restrictions liberties (speech, press, assembly) Gave republicanism a bad name!
Temple of Reason
“Let terror be the order of the day!” The Reign of Terror “Let terror be the order of the day!” “The government in a revolution is the despotism of liberty against tyranny. “ Estimates have … 16,594 executed by guillotine (2,639 in Paris), another 25,000 in summary executions across France.
Different Social Classes Executed 7% 8% 28% 25% 31%
Thermidorian Reaction July 1794 Executed Robespierre and 83 associates Began the reversal radical democratic policies (universal male suffrage, abolition of slavery) Established the Directory in October 1795 Enter Napoleon…