Collapse in the Constitutional Experiment

Question 1

What were the sans-culottes? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 1

The sans-culottes were lower class Parisian workers who supported radical political ideas.

Question 2

When was the first of the 1792 Journées? How many sans culottes gathered? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 2

The first Journée occurred on 20th June 1792, with 8000 sans-culottes gathering at the Tuileries palace.

Question 3

Describe the events of the Journée of 20th June 1792. What were its outcomes? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 3

Crowds of sans-culottes gathered with petitions, demanding that Louis withdraw he’s vetoes and restore pro-war ministers that had been dismissed. Louis appeared, drinking a toast to the nation which seemed to resolve the situation.

Question 4

When was the decree ‘la patrie en danger’ issued? What were the demands of this? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 4

‘La patrie en danger’ was issued on the 11th July 1792, demanding that all men show full support to the war effort in the spirit of self-sacrifice.

Question 5

When was the Brunswick Manifesto issued? What did this proclaim? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 5

The Brunswick Manifesto was issued on the 25th July 1792, stating that any National Guard captured by the Austrians would be put to death and that Paris would face consequences if Louis came to any harm.

Question 6

When was the 2nd Journée of 1792? How many people attended? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 6

The 2nd Journée of 1792 happened on the 10th August 1792. 20,000 sans-culottes gathered this time, joined by 2000 fédérés.

Question 7

Describe the events of the Journée of 10th August 1792 - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 7

Sans-culottes had carefully planned a protest, with the King instructed to hide in the Assembly. Loyalist troops defected to the mob, allowing the mob to flood into the palace. Nearly 1000 sans-culottes were killed, yet all royal guards were massacred.

Question 8

What was the outcome of the Journée of 10th August 1792 in terms of the Monarchy? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 8

The King was removed from the Palace by the Paris Commune and placed in the Temple Prison. The King was not deposed, rather he was temporarily suspended.

Question 9

What action was taken to alter the distinction between active and passive citizens following the 2nd Journée of 1792? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 9

The distinction between active and passive citizens was ended following the Journée of 1792, with all men over 25 granted the ability to vote for the new Convention.

Question 10

Who was made minister of justice following the King’s deposition? Why could this have been controversial? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 10

Danton was made Minister of Justice following Louis’ deposition. Danton was a radical member of the Cordeliers club, which will have angered moderates.

Question 11

What decree was issued against refractory priests on the 26th August 1792? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 11

On 26th August 1792, Danton decreed that all refractory priests should leave the country within 2 weeks or face deportation to French Guyana.

Question 12

What French settlements came under foreign attack on the 23rd August and 1st September respectively? What fears were generated by this? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 12

Longwy fell to foreign forces on the 23rd August and Verdun came under attack on the 1st September. This generated fears that the Capital could rapidly fall to enemy forces following this, leading France to lose the war.

Question 13

When did Danton introduce conscription ‘on pain of death’? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 13

Danton introduced conscription ‘on pain of death’ on the 2nd September 1792.

Question 14

What decree did Danton make on the 30th August with regards to searches? What were the impacts of this decree? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 14

On the 30th August, Danton decreed that house searches for weapons should take place. As a result of this decree, 3000 people were sent to prison.

Question 15

When did the September Massacres take place? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 15

The September Massacres took place from 2nd-6th September 1792.

Question 16

What happened during the September Massacres? How many people were killed? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 16

1000-1500 prisoners (political figures and refractory priests) in Paris were killed by sans-culottes and fédérés in an orgy of blood.

Question 17

What caused the September massacres? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 17

The September Massacres were caused by the uncertainty from both external and internal threats, with the progress of the war causing fear. Meanwhile, the searching of the houses of counter-revolutionaries created an angry rhetoric against these groups.

Question 18

What was the response of the Assembly to the September Massacres? What did this demonstrate about the power of the Assembly compared to radical leaders? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 18

The Assembly did nothing to prevent the actions of the radicals during the September Massacres. This created a view that the Assembly was weak whilst radical leaders were seen as increasingly influential.

Question 19

What were the results of the September 1792 elections to the National Convention? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 19

In the National Convention elections of 1792, the Girondins were obliterated following their opposition to the sans-culottes and radical sentiment. No Girondins elected in Paris, with radical leaders selected instead.

Question 20

When did the new National Convention open? - Collapse of the Constitutional Experiment

Answer 20

The National Convention opened on the 20th September 1792.