Revolutionary France Legislative Assembly to the Directory (1791-1798)
The Legislative Assembly (1791-92) Consisted of brand new deputies because members of the National Assembly, led by Robespierre, passed the Self-Denying Ordinance. The NA believed the new system needed new blood. They were practicing what they preached.
The L.A. was never able to rule effectively because: 1) Parts of France were still royalist (provinces far from Paris) and resisted their rule. 2) A lack of unity factions within the L.A had different views on the fate of the King and the direction of the revolution and became bitter rivals, leading to civil war. 3) There was a serious threat of counterrevolution by noble émigrés and hostile nations. 4) The King was clearly not committed to being a constitutional monarch.
The Case for War One of the main debates within the L.A. was a debate over the wisdom of declaring war against Austria (The Habsburgs). The majority of members supported it. Why? The monarchs of Europe considered the revolution a threat to the natural order. It could encourage problems in their own countries. French émigré nobles attempted to gather support in neighbouring countries. Attacks on the Catholic Church made revolutionary France the enemy of the Pope and Catholic nations as well.
Marie Antoinette s brother (Emperor Leopold of Austria) issued the Padua Circular in July 1791 suggesting the formation of a coalition against France. This led to the Declaration of Pillnitz in Aug. 1791 which several countries pledged to protect the French Royal Family.
Europe 1791
War vs. First Coalition
Due to this, the L.A. voted to declare war on Austria and her allies on April 20, 1792. Why? They hoped the war would unite France and end internal strife. They wanted to destroy their enemies and dismantle other absolute monarchs. The King accepted and did not use his veto. Why? A French victory would increase his popularity. A French defeat would destroy the revolutionaries and return him to absolutism.
There was some opposition to the war. Robespierre initially opposed it. o He believed that France was not ready to wage such a war and would lose everything. o He also worried the military would become too powerful and a man like Lafayette could become dictator in a coup. o Saw it as hypocritical no one likes armed missionaries Initially, he was right. The coalition powers were winning and advancing into France. The coalition issued the Brunswick Manifesto which asserted that the people of Paris would be severely punished by the invading forces if they harmed the royal family.
Parisian Response to the Brunswick Manifesto
Suspension of the Monarchy There was great anger and fear in Paris due to the: o Battlefield defeats and Brunswick Manifesto. o King s use of his veto to block punitive L.A. decrees aimed against emigres and the Church On Aug. 10 1792, the Paris mob stormed the Tuileries and forced the royal family to flee to the LA chambers for safety. They demanded the abolition of the monarchy whom they believed to be working against the revolution.
Rise to Power of Radicals The Sans-Culottes and the Paris Insurrectionist Committee were now in control of the city. They force the LA to turn over the King and his family and they are arrested (Sept. 1792) New elections are called to establish a new constitution and make France a Republic. Violence against counter-revolutionaries explodes during the September Massacres. (see handout reading)
The National Convention (1792-1795) The new government was to be elected by universal male suffrage (21 and over). First time in European history.
The King on Trial Louis XVI was charged with treason and tried before the National Convention. The convention found him guilty and sentenced him to death by a narrow margin. (see handout). This intensified factionalism. Most Girondists were against the death sentence and began to criticize men like Danton for the September massacres. It also brought new members to the coalition against France (Ex. England).
The death sentence was deemed necessary because the King was a rallying point for counter-revolutionaries and was a threat alive.
Threats to the Republic Federalist revolts broke out all over France, especially in the Vendee region. These areas were rebelling against the Jacobins and the increasing power of Paris and the Sans-Culottes. The radical elements of the NC allied themselves with the Sans-Culottes and had the Girondins purged from the NC. The NC ruled in a chaotic time of war, revolt, and political intrigue it led to violence.
Reforms of the First French Republic 1) Levee en Masse (23 Aug 1793) France was organized for Total War. o Men 18-25 were conscripted into the army. It increased fighting strength to 800,000 by 1794. o Civilians were organized to work on production of ammunition and supplies for army. o State propaganda flooded the streets encouraging people to do their part. o Was key in eventual victory in the war.
2) Law of the Maximum (29 Sept. 1793) There were food shortages and high prices due to poor harvests and war. Profiteers were accused of taking advantage of the situation, and in some cases hoarding to drive prices up further. Robespierre led the charge to fix the price of grain to keep it affordable for army and people. This led many to cease production because it was not profitable. Violence ensued. More assignats were issued, causing inflation. Eventually, the General Maximum was passed, fixing prices of all essential goods.
3) Legal Reforms The Convention suspended their own constitution in order to have broad and sweeping powers to root out counter-revolutionaries in a time of crisis. The Committee of Public Safety, selected from members of the NC, took on this task. Led to the Law of 13 March 1793(creation of a revolutionary tribunal to quickly prosecute traitors) and the Law of Suspects (Sept. 1793) that allowed arrest of people without evidence. This led to a virtual police state and the Great Terror, a massive political and societal purge. See ch. 8 reading for more
4) Cult of the Supreme Being & the Revolutionary Calendar (see handout on the Republic of Virtue ) 5) State Funded Education First public schools were established.
6) Slavery Abolished In 1794 the Convention abolished slavery. This was motivated by slave revolts and agitation in the French colonies (especially Haiti) where blacks expected equality in the spirit of the revolution. representatives of the French people, until now our decrees of liberty have been selfish, and only for ourselves. But today we proclaim it to the universe, and generations to come will glory in this decree; we are proclaiming universal liberty...we are working for future generations; let us launch liberty into the colonies; the English are dead, today. - Danton
The Directory (1795-99) The Convention had saved France from defeat in war, but had failed to live up to its vision for France. A new government was created by the Constitution of the Year III. It consisted of 2/3 of the deputies left from the Convention. o It sought to create a separation of powers to avoid dictatorship.
a) Council of Five Hundred o elected (franchise restricted to property owners) o could propose legislation but not vote b) Council of Ancients o Also elected, numbered around 250. o Could pass/deny legislation but could not propose it. c) The Directors o Five men chosen by the Council of Ancients from a list voted on by the Council of Five Hundred o One retired each year o They held executive power (like a President)
It was controlled by the Bourgeois class. It maintained basic freedoms but eliminated things like the Cult of the Supreme Being. Some nobles and royalists returned sensing a period of reaction. The Directory brutally suppressed any radicals and especially royalists who wished to see a Bourbon restoration. The Directory was unpopular and marked by corruption and stagnancy.