National Convention, French Convention Nationale, assembly that governed France from September 20, 1792, until October 26, 1795, during the most critical period of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France and its colonies beginning in 1789. The Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, catalyzed violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napole…
What was the National Convention and why was it important?
The National Convention occurred from September 1792 until October 1795, during some of the most violent periods of the French Revolution. It formed following the end of the Legislative Assembly and would later be replaced by the Directory. The National Convention was extremely important to the events of the French Revolution.
What was the National Convention during the French Revolution?
The National Convention during the French Revolution was a legislative body or parliament that ruled France during the most radical stage of the French Revolution. It replaced the National Constituent Assembly and the Legislative Assembly that came before it.
What was the result of the National Revolution in France?
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. Beginning in 1789, the French Revolution saw the French people overthrow their absolute monarchy and bring about a republic that was based on the principles of equality, liberty and fraternity.
What was the purpose of the French Revolution?
NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Beginning in 1789, the French Revolution saw the French people overthrow their absolute monarchy and bring about a republic that was based on the principles of equality, liberty and fraternity.
What was the purpose of the National Convention?
The Convention came about when the Legislative Assembly decreed the provisional suspension of King Louis XVI and the convocation of a National Convention to draw up a new constitution with no monarchy.
How did the National Convention change France?
On August 22, 1795, the National Convention, composed largely of Girondins who had survived the Reign of Terror, approved a new constitution that created France's first bicameral legislature.
What did the Convention of France do?
The National Convention was an assembly, meeting in France from September 21st, 1792 until October 26, 1795. This was the third assembly of the French Revolution. It came after the Legislative Assembly and founded the First Republic. The first act of the National Convention was to get rid of the monarchy.
What happens at the National Convention?
What Happens at a National Political Convention? To become the presidential nominee, a candidate typically has to win a majority of delegates. This usually happens through the party's state primaries and caucuses. State delegates go to the national convention to vote to confirm their choice of candidates.
What problem did the National Convention face?
The three years under the National Convention would prove eventful, divisive and violent. They were plagued by war and civil war, increasing radicalism in Paris, factional struggles between the Girondins and Montagnards and the continued failure of economic policies and conditions.
What were the actions taken by the National Convention?
Some of the major actions taken by the National Convention include the establishment of the new French constitution, the declaration of war against France's enemies, and the empowerment of the Committee of Public Security.
What is the definition National Convention?
: a convention of a political party usually composed of delegates chosen by state primaries or conventions and meeting primarily to nominate candidates for president and vice-president and to adopt a platform the supreme organ of the national party is still the national convention— F. A. Ogg & P. O. Ray.
When did the National Convention form?
September 21, 1792National Convention / Founded
Why did the National Convention want to change French government and society?
The National Convention wanted to change the French government and society because they wanted all control of the king's power.
What were the actions taken by the National Convention?
Some of the major actions taken by the National Convention include the establishment of the new French constitution, the declaration of war against France's enemies, and the empowerment of the Committee of Public Security.
What was the Convention in the context of France?
The Convention is the French Convention Nationale, and is a one of the most important pacts formed during the French Revolution, which kept the French government assembled and together between 20 Sep 1792 and 26 Oct 1795. It helped form the country's new constitution when monarchy was completely abolished.
What effect did the Constitution of 1795 have?
The Constitution of 1795 established a liberal republic with a franchise based on the payment of taxes, similar to that of the Constitution of 1791; a bicameral legislature to slow down the legislative process; and a five-man Directory.
What did the appellants and the voters do?
Within the nation, "voters" and "appellants", those against or for the execution of Louis, swore undying hatred of each other. The rest of Europe, fearing the outcome of the French Revolution in their own countries, decreed a war of extermination against regicides.
What were the two things that the Constituent Assembly had?
Two of them were of essential importance: Public Safety and General Security. The second, which had formidable powers, is less well known than the first, which was the true executive authority and was armed with immense prerogatives. It dated from April, but its composition was thoroughly reshuffled during the summer of 1793.
What happened to the Girondins in 1793?
Conflict continued without interruption until the expulsion of the Girondin leaders from the Convention on 2 June 1793. The Girondins had relied on votes from the majority of the deputies, many of whom were alarmed as well as scandalized by the September massacres, but their insistence on monopolising all positions of authority during the Convention, and their attacks on the Montagnard leaders, soon irritated them and causiled them to regard the party as a faction. One by one, able deputies such as Couthon, Cambon, Carnot, Lindet and Barère began to gravitate towards the Montagnards, and the majority, the Plain, as it was called, held itself aloof from both sides.
What was the main article of the Convention of 1792?
Main articles: Trial of Louis XVI and Execution of Louis XVI. The trial of Louis XVI. The Convention's unanimous declaration of a French Republic on 21 September 1792 left open the fate of the former king.
What were the two main factions of the French Revolution?
Main articles: Girondins and Montagnard (French Revolution) Most historians divide the National Convention into two main factions: the Girondins and the Montagnards. The Girondins were the more radical democratic faction at the Convention, as opposed to the Montagnards, who were authoritarian populists.
What was the Salle des Machines?
The Salle des Machines had galleries for the public who often influenced the debates with interruptions or applause. The members of the Convention came from all classes of society, but the most numerous were lawyers. 75 members had sat in the National Constituent Assembly, 183 in the Legislative Assembly.
What was the first French assembly elected by a suffrage without distinctions of class?
The National Convention was, therefore, the first French assembly elected by a suffrage without distinctions of class. Although the Convention lasted until 1795, power was effectively stripped from the elected deputies and concentrated in the small Committee of Public Safety from April 1793.
Why was the National Convention elected?
The National Convention was elected to provide a new constitution for the country after the overthrow of the monarchy (August 10, 1792). The Convention numbered 749 deputies, including businessmen, tradesmen, and many professional men. Among its early acts were the formal abolition of the monarchy ...
When did the Girondins get out of the Convention?
Discredited by a series of defeats in the war they promoted against the anti-Revolutionary European coalition, the Girondins were purged from the Convention by the popular insurrection of May 31 to June 2, 1793. The Montagnards controlled the Convention during its second phase (June 1793 to July 1794).
What is an encyclopedia editor?
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...
Who controlled the Convention of 1793?
The Montagnards controlled the Convention during its second phase (June 1793 to July 1794). Because of the war and an internal rebellion, a revolutionary government with dictatorial powers (exercised by the Committee of Public Safety) was set up.
What was the most violent period of the French Revolution?
Finally, the National Convention oversaw the most violent period in the entire revolution which was the Reign of Terror . The Reign of Terror occurred from September of 1793 until July of 1794, and was a time period of extreme violence and paranoia during the French Revolution.
What were the Jacobins concerned about?
Following the execution of Louis XVI, the more radical revolutionaries, the Jacobins, were concerned that foreign and domestic groups would threaten the continuing of the revolution. As such, the Jacobins worked to remove the more moderate Girondins from positions of power within the revolution.
What was the French Revolution based on?
Beginning in 1789, the French Revolution saw the French people overthrow their absolute monarchy and bring about a republic that was based on the principles of equality, liberty and fraternity.
Why was the National Convention important?
The National Convention was extremely important to the events of the French Revolution. First, the convention was the first government in France based on universal male suffrage. All males 25 years and older were allowed to vote for representatives of the National Convention, regardless of their class in society.
How many governments were there during the French Revolution?
Throughout the years of the revolution, there were four different revolutionary governments, including: National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, National Convention and the Directory. The National Convention occurred from September 1792 until October 1795, during some of the most violent periods of the French Revolution.
Who was executed in the reign of terror?
The National Convention ended in October of 1795 following the execution of Maximilien Robespierre and the excesses of the Reign of Terror. The Directory formed out of and replaced the National Convention.
Who carried out the execution of Louis XVI?
This action helped lead into the trial and execution of Louis XVI, which was carried out by the National Convention. While the early stages of the revolution were carried out by the moderates in the National Assembly and the Legislative Assembly, by 1792 it was firmly in the hands of the more radical National Convention.
What convinced the Convention to send revolutionary militia to the outskirts of France?
The threat of foreign troops encroaching on French soil finally convinced the Convention to send revolutionary militia to the outskirts of France, and the city of Paris thereby became devoid of protection. Marat stepped in again to rally the people to action.
What was the first issue that divided the Convention?
One of the first major issues to divide the Convention was the trial of Louis XVI, now known by the egalitarian surname Capet. Louis Capet had no allies in the Convention, but the Girondins at least wanted to spare his life. The Jacobins wouldn't hear of it; Louis must die.
What did Robespierre decide?
Robespierre decided that someone would have to govern the frenzied French. And for a time, Robespierre, known by his contemporaries as the "Incorruptible," was a steady and righteous leader. But even he lost his cool in the subsequent years. 1 …. 2 3 4. 5 6 7 …. 8 9. 10. .
What were the sans-culottes?
The sans-culottes, or "those without breeches," became the leaders of local government while the convention governed the entire nation of France. These localized rebels were typically artisans who identified themselves by wearing full-length pants rather than the knee-length breeches that the style of the Old Regime had dictated.
Why was the National Assembly created?
The National Assembly was born out of shared interest in liberty, equality and brotherhood, but as the French Revolution wore on, differences in political ideologies became more obvious.
When did France become a republic?
On Sept. 21, 1792, the Convention officially declared France a republic [source: Encarta ]. To cut ties completely with the Old Regime, the Convention even created a new Republican calendar for France.
Who convinced the people that the monarch must die for the republic to live?
Robespierre convinced the people that the monarch must die for the republic to live. Louis ominously prophesied, "I trust that my death will be for the happiness of my people, but I grieve for France…". On Jan. 20, 1793, he was guillotined. Louis Capet appears before the National Convention to await his verdict.
What was the September massacre?
The September Massacres. The September Massacres refer to murderous riots that erupted in Paris in the autumn of 1792. On September 2nd, gangs of armed sans culottes stormed the city’s prisons and killed between 1,100 and 1,400 prisoners. Among the victims were hundreds of Swiss Guards and royal soldiers detained after the August 10th attack on ...
How many people died in the September 6th massacre?
The attacks on prisons continued until the evening of September 6th. In four days, the September Massacres claimed between 1,100 and 1,400 lives. Of the dead, around a third were legitimate counter-revolutionary suspects.
What was the grisly satire of the September massacre?
James Gillray’s grisly and overstated satire, showing the Parisian sans culottes. Reports of the September Massacres invoked outrage and horror when they reached London. The London press ran gory accounts of the violence – and some false reports of cannibalism and devil worship.
What was the significance of the September massacres?
The September Massacres were widely reported across Europe, where they caused disgust and outrage. To critics of the revolution, the massacres were proof of a city gripped by bloodthirsty anarchy. Within the government, the September Massacres widened the gulf between the moderate Girondins and radical Jacobins.
What happened on August 19th?
Two significant developments occurred on August 19th: the Marquis de Lafayette fled the revolution and was taken prisoner by the Austrians, as Prussian forces crossed the border and penetrated into French territory. The following day, these Prussian troops engaged the French Revolutionary Army at Verdun.
What was the Brunswick manifesto?
The Brunswick Manifesto was intended to intimidate the people of Paris but it had the opposite effect. Brunswick’s threats inspired Parisians to defend the fatherland and rally to combat foreign imperialists.
What happened in Versailles on September 9th?
Copycat riots in Orléans and Versailles on September 9th also claimed some notable figures. At Versailles, an angry mob broke into the prison there and slaughtered around 30 inmates. One was Charles d’Abancour, a former minister to Louis XVI. Another was Louis, Duke of Brissac, a former governor of Paris and commander of the king’s bodyguard.
What were Napoleon Bonaparte's military victories?
Terms in this set (52) Napoleon Bonaparte made his early military reputation with victories in a successful. -invasion of Great Britain. -repression of the Haitian slave revolt. -invasion of Italy, followed by the Egyptian expedition. -invasion of Spain.
Why was Robespierre overthrown?
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror were overthrown in part because the defeat of both internal and external enemies of the French Revolution had led many persons to favor more moderate policies.
What was the Civil Constitution of the Clergy?
The Civil Constitution of the Clergy. -was approved by the pope. -divided the French Catholic population. -established Protestantism in France. -was the idea of Napoleon Bonaparte. B. The major accomplishments of the National Assembly during the French Revolution included. -a written constitution.
Which side of the French Revolution did the Jacobins sit on?
In the National Convention during the French Revolution, the Jacobins sat on the right and the Girondins sat on the left.
What was the purpose of the Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution?
The Committee of Public Safety during the French Revolution had two principal goals: to secure the republic against internal and external enemies, and to carry out a program of revolutionary radicalism.
What was Napoleon's second victory?
Napoleon's second victorious military campaign culminated with the defeat of the British at the Battle of the Nile.
What was Napoleon's purpose in the Continental System?
The purpose of Napoleon's "Continental System" was to form a firm alliance with Great Britain.
How many departments did the National Constituent Assembly have?
C) the National Constituent Assembly took the complicated patchwork of local provinces and replaced this with 83 departments of approximately equal size.
Why did the National Constituent Assembly abolish feudalism?
The National Constituent Assembly "abolished feudalism". In order to calm down the peasant population and end the chaos in the countryside.
What was the name of the song that became the French national anthem?
D) a group of volunteers from Marseilles created a song called, "Le Marseilles", which eventually became the French National Anthem.
What was the National Assembly replaced by?
A) the National Assembly, which had drafted the Constitution, was disbanded and replaced by a new Legislative Assembly filled with different representatives who were less cautious than those who had been members of the original National Constituent Assembly.
Why were the Sans-Culottes so unpopular?
Became unpopular during war with Austria and Prussia, angered sans-culottes because they took away unions, the riots led to the national convention
What is a levee en masse?
levee en masse, attempted to regulate businesses to support the war effort, confiscated or occupied materials necessary to support the war effort
Which estates are exceptions to the trend?
C. 1st Estate—in general, Talleyrand and Sieyes are exceptions to the trend
Overview
The National Convention (French: Convention nationale) was a parliament of the French Revolution, following the two-year National Constituent Assembly and the one-year Legislative Assembly. Created after the great insurrection of 10 August 1792, it was the first French government organized as a republic, abandoning the monarchy altogether. The Convention sat as a single-chamber assembly fr…
Elections
The indirect election took place from 2 to 10 September 1792 after the election of the electoral colleges by primary assemblies on 26 August. Despite the introduction of universal male suffrage, the turn-out was low , though the election saw an increase in comparison to the 1791 elections – in 1792 11.9% of a greatly increased electorate votes, compared to 10.2% of a much smaller electorate in the 1791. The low turn-out was partly due to a fear of victimization; in Paris, Robes…
Political Breakdown
The National Convention was made up of three major factions. The Mountain or the Montaganrds, The Plain or the Marais and The Girondins or the Brissotins. Historians are divided on the exact make up of the Convention but the current consensus is that the Mountain was the biggest faction with around 302-309 deputies. The Girondins were represented by 178-227 deputies and the Plain was represented by 153-250 deputies. Of the three groups the Mountain was the most …
Girondin Convention
The first session was held on 20 September 1792. The following day, the assembly agreed to the proposition "That royalty be abolished in France" and was carried with cheers. On the 22nd came the news of the Battle of Valmy. On the same day, it was decreed that "in future the acts of the assembly shall be dated First Year of the French Republic". Three days later, the corollary that "th…
Montagnard Convention
Scarcely had the Gironde been eliminated when the Convention, now under Montagnard leadership, found itself caught between two threats. While the federalist revolt gained strength, the popular movement, roused to fury by high prices, was increasing the pressure it exercised on the government. Meanwhile, the Government was proving incapable of controlling the situation. In July 179…
Thermidorian Convention
Whatever reasons the conspirators had behind 9 Thermidor, the events afterwards went beyond their intentions. Evidently, the remaining members on the Committees counted on staying in office and currying the favour of the Jacobin dictatorship, as though nothing more had happened than a party purge.
They were speedily disabused of that notion. Robespierrists might go out and …
Legacy
Anchel (1911) concludes, "The work of the Convention was immense in all branches of public affairs. To appreciate it without prejudice, one should recall that this assembly saved France from a civil war and invasion, that it founded the system of public education (Museum, École Polytechnique, École Normale Supérieure, École des langues orientales, Conservatoire), created institutions of capital importance, like that of the Grand Livre de la Dette publique, and definitely …
See also
• Fall of the French monarchy
• Girondist
• The Mountain
• Georges Danton
• Maximilien Robespierre