People and Terms to know • Georges-Jacques Danton • Maximilien Robespierre • Jean-Paul Marat • Reign of Terror • Napoleon Bonaparte • National Convention • Universal Manhood Suffrage • Girondins • Jacobins • Committee of Public Safety • Revolutionary Tribunal • The Directory
National Convention – senptember 1792 – 1st meeting Universal manhood suffrage – every man can vote
Legislative Assembly – 3 main groups • Girodins o Dantonists – followed the lead of Georges Danton; believed Reign of Terror should end earlier and begin re-building of France • Conservatives • Jacobins o Radicals in Assembly; led by Maximilien Robespierre o Jacobins - divided- moderates/radicals § Robespierre § Jean-Paul Marat
National Convention’s Actions • Declared end to monarchy • Beginning of new republic • Wrote new constitution • Brought Louis XVI to trial o Guilty – sentenced to death
French Army – prior to Reign of Terror (Sept 1793) • Defeated Austrian and Prussian forces – stopped foreign invasion
Opposition to the Constitution Arises • French people rose up against revolutionary government – “counterrevolutionary” o Ultimately wanted peace in France • Jacobins – Robespierre and Danton – Controlled National Convention • Arrested many Girodin delegates who opposed their policies • Charlotte Corday – Killed Jean-Paul Marat – arrested and executed
Reign of Terror: suppress all opposition (Sept 1793- July 1794) • “annihilate internal and external enemies of the republic” • Executed Girondin opponents • Fought back European powers – gained advantage • Robespierre – becomes more fanatical • Danton – time to stop Reign of Terror • Robespierre has Danton and his followers (Dantonists) Executed
Work of National Convention – under Robespierre • Democratic Reforms o Committee of Public Safety § 12 men who ruled France under Robespierre § To direct army in crushing foreign invaders § Revolutionary Tribunal – “try enemies of Revolution” o Establish “Republic of Virtue” – good citizenship § New Schools § Elementary education o Wage and price controls to aid economy o Abolished slavery in French colonies • Replace monarchy’s system of weights and measures with metric system • September 22, 1792 – First Year of Liberty – new calendar
July 1794 – Robespierre arrested and executed
The Directory • 2 House legislature o 500 member lower house – proposes laws o 250 member upper house – accepts or rejects laws § Appoints executive branch – 5 directors • Eliminate universal manhood suffrage – only land owners may vote • Only existed for 4 years o Lead to division among classes o Offered way for military dictatorship
Napoleon Bonaparte “I found the crown of France lying on the ground, and I picked it up with my sword”