UNIT 3- September 1792–1795 The establishment of a Republic Flashcards
What is the National Convention?
The National Convention was a governing body established during the French Revolution.
When was the National Convention established?
The National Convention was established on the 20th of September 1792.
How many Girondins were in the National Convention? Who were they? What did they think about the Montagnards? What figures did it include?
There were 200 Girondists in the National Convention.
Wanted to consolidate and protect the change already made, hesitant about sanctions for the king (especially death penalty), moderate militant approach.
Believed the Montagnards could be potential dictators. (Because of their want for centralised control)
Brissot
How many members were in the Plain faction of the National Convention? WHO were they?
There were 389 members in the Plain faction.
They were representatives of the departments outside of Paris. More favouring of the Girondins, however they were constantly changing their views and beliefs.
How many Montagnards were in the National Convention? Who were they? What figures did it include? What did they think about the Girondins?
There were 160 Montagnards in the National Convention.
Marat, Danton, Robespierre
They wanted more radical change- wanted Louis executed, needed radical militant approach to make change, favoured by Sans-Culottes
What was the King charged with?
33 charges, including his betrayal, sabotage of the constitutional monarchy and the government, failure of leadership.
Who was to judge at the King’s trial and why was this controversial?
Convention declared they would both be the judge and jury in the trial.
People doubted the legality of this and the fact that they themselves were the accusers.
There was no legal/constitutional facility
Who defended the King at his trial?
Louis assembled France’s best lawyers:
-The orator, Raymond de seize
-The man who interrogated the King after the FtV, Francois Tranchet
Retired jurist and former minister of State, GuillammevMaesterios
What was the King’s defence at his trial?
-The Convention were unfit to judge because they already knew the outcome
-Focused on his constitutional inviolability as a monarch (can’t be infringed upon)
What defence did the King not use?
-That he was ignorant of the law or to provoke pity for him
How did the King make things difficult for himself?
His utterances in his witness chair were stubborn and invigorating of the Convention.
This disproved his argument of inviolability because of the constitution.
Appel au peuple
National referendum on whether on not the king should be executed
Campaigned for by the Girondins since Xmas 1792, opposed by the Jacobins. Jacobins won the vote 424 to 283
Votes on the King’s execution
387 to 334
How many deputies raised a supplementary motion using clemency? How was this significant
72
Though this was voted down, it is significant as it shows that there was still support for the King (though this was a minority)
