1. The French Revolution becomes the Radical Revolution

2. In September 1792, the newly elected National Convention began its sessions
Acted as the ruling body of France
Abolished the monarchy and established a French republic
Debated the fate of the king
Girondins = favored keeping the king alive
The Mountain = favored killing the king
Mountains won
January 21, 1793 – the King was beheaded on the guillotine
Move to radicalism

3. The Guillotine Machine that the revolutionaries adopted
Believed to kill quickly and humanely
Became the symbol of the Reign of Terror
The Guillotine

4. Problems for the National Convention
Disputes between the Girondins and the Mountain
Paris Commune putting pressure on the Convention for more radical reforms
Some people of France refused to accept the authority of the Convention
Foreign enemies who took up arms against France
Outraged by the execution of King Louis XVI
Problems for the National Convention

5. National Convention’s Response
The National Convention’s response to the problems
Formation of the Committee of Public Safety
Leaders included Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre
Acted to defend France from foreign and domestic enemies
Defense at home
Becomes known as the Reign of Terror
Defense abroad
Mobilized the nation for war
Raised an army of 1 million – largest ever in European history
Pushed its enemies back
National Convention’s Response

6. The Reign of Terror Led by the Committee of Public Safety
Revolutionary courts were set up to prosecute internal enemies of the republic
Close to 40,000 were killed
Most executions were held in places that had openly rebelled against the National Convention
Meant to rid France of its rebels in hopes of creating a Republic of Virtue
Republic composed of good citizens
The Reign of Terror

7. End of Terror – Rise of the Directory
By the summer of 1794, Reign of Terror began to die down
National Convention was able to focus on a new constitution
Constitution of 1795
Established a legislative assembly with 2 houses
Council of 500
Initiated legislation
Council of Elders
Accepted or rejected proposed laws
Members of the legislative assembly chosen by electors
5 Directors were chosen by the assembly to act as the executive committee
Becomes the Directory
The Directors + the legislature ruled from
End of Terror – Rise of the Directory