1. The French Revolution, Part II
From Constitutional Monarchy to the Reign of Terror

2. Division of the French Government
Three Groups
Conservatives – want things as they had been; monarchy with absolute rule
Moderates – most want a king, but want most of the power in the Assembly
Radicals – want power to be in the hands of the people and believe everyone should participate in the political process; in addition, want to spread the French Revolution to other countries surrounding France

3. Once Louis XVI Was Captured
There was a big question as to what should be done
Within the National Assembly, most conservatives and some moderates want him to be a Constitutional Monarch

4. Louis Doesn’t Wait Around
Louis leaves Paris in an attempt to flee to Austria
He is stopped at the city of Varennes when someone sees his signature on his travel documents

5. Louis is Imprisoned
The king and his family return to Paris, where they are “imprisoned” at the Tuileries Palace
Still, many support his return to the throne

6. Austria Steps In The King of Austria is Marie Antoinette’s brother
He demands the French return Louis to the throne

7. This Backfires Completely
The Radicals in French government convince France to declare war on Austria, instead

8. The First Coalition
Prussia and England soon join Austria’s side in fighting against France
All three nations are afraid the ideas of the Revolution could spread to their countries and threaten their own monarchs
In addition to revolution, France is now fighting a war on several fronts

9. Back in Paris
Radicals have gained the greatest control and influence within the city
Different groups vie for power within the Assembly

10. Two Biggest Groups The Jacobins, led by Maximilien Robespierre
The Girondins, led by Georges Danton

11. Jacobins and Girondins
Both groups are considered radicals, but the Jacobins moreso
Jacobins had greater numbers and more influence in Paris
Girondins had some influence in Paris, but are more influential in other parts of France

12. Poor Old Louis
Under the radicals, the Assembly gave up on the idea of a Constitutional Monarchy
Deposed the king, then dissolved themselves to form a new legislature

13. The National Convention
The new body is called the National Convention
Takes office in September 1792
The Jacobins have the most power within this new legislature

14. Under Jacobin Rule
The monarchy is officially abolished; Louis won’t be king, and neither will anyone else
Louis XVI is tried for treason, and is found guilty
By a very close vote between the Jacobins and Girodins, he is sentenced to death

15. January 21, 1793
Louis XVI is executed by guillotine

16. The Committee of Public Safety
This was created to root out the enemies of France
Members were supposed to be equal, but the committee was dominated by Robespierre

17. Committee’s Power
Since the Committee of Public Safety could rule that anyone was an enemy of France, they in effect ruled the country

18. July 1793 – July 1794
During this time, Robespierre is pretty much the dictator of France
This period is known as the Reign of Terror

19. The Reign of Terror
France is now still trying to bring the ideas of the Revolution to pass
In addition, it is still fighting with Austria, Prussia, and England
On top of that, it now has pockets of resistance and an all-out civil war going on in the Vendees

20. The Reign of Terror
To combat this, and to bring about order, Robespierre and the Jacobins come up with an extremely radical plan
They will try to create a new Republic of France largely by killing anyone who opposes their ideas for new Republic of France

21. The Death Toll of the Terror
Is difficult to guess
In Paris, more than 12,000 people went to the guillotine
There were occasionally as many as 50 or more executions per day

22. Outside of Paris The records are much less clear
Guillotines existed in any number of cities
In addition, firing squads and other methods were used

23. Paranoia Once Again Grew
No one knew just who was going to end up on a list of those who were enemies of France
Robespierre even went so far as to have Danton sent to the guillotine

24. Finally, the Terror Has to End
Eventually the National Convention grows tired of the bloodshed, but Robespierre keeps coming up with lists of enemies of France

25. The End of Robespierre
When coming to deliver yet another list of enemies, Robespierre is shouted down in the Assembly
He is arrested on a charge of treason
That night, two of his followers commit suicide; Robespierre blows off a portion of his own jaw in an apparent suicide attempt

26. The End of Robespierre
Robespierre is found guilty of treason; he cannot speak in his own defense due to his shattered jaw
He is sentenced to death by guillotine

27. July 28, 1794 Robespierre goes to the guillotine
Thus ends the Reign of Terror

28. After Robespierre Moderates return to power in the National Convention
They set up a new governing body called the Directory
The Directory will hold power for the next five years, from