The National Convention (1792–1795)

The National Assembly, which lasted from 1792 to 1795, proved to be the central governing body during the height of the French Revolution.

Summarizes the key role of the National Convention, which saw the abolition of the monarchy, the trial and execution of Louis XVI, and the establishment of the First French Republic. Between internal conflicts and external wars, the Convention fought with revolutionary fervor, leading to the rise of radical groups such as the Jacobins and the implementation of significant political and social reforms.

Provides a brief overview of the National Convention’s influence on the course of the French Revolution, marking a period of intense political upheaval and the promotion of revolutionary ideals.

The National Convention (1792–1795)

Historical facts	The National Convention
Duration	1792-1795
Context	The abolition of monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic
Leadership	Initially dominated by Girondins, later Jacobins gained control
Key Figures	Robespierre, Danton, Marat, and other revolutionary leaders
Major Events	Execution of Louis XVI, Reign of Terror, Committee of Public Safety
Reforms	The abolition of monarchy and the establishment of the First French Republic
Execution of Robespierre	Thermidorian Reaction led to the downfall of Robespierre in 1794
End of Convention	1795: replaced by the Directory, marking a shift in government structure

Introduction

The third revolutionary assembly in France was the National Assembly. On September 21, 1792, the newly elected members of the National Convention met for the first time. According to Professor C. J. Hayes, “Perhaps no legislature in history was called upon to deal with such perplexing problems as those which faced the National Convention at the beginning of its session.”

Issues facing the National Assembly

The National Assembly had to decide the future of the deposed king. Earth had to be saved from foreign invasion; internal rebellion had to be brought under control; a government had to be established; social reforms were to be completed and consolidated; and a new constitution had to be created for the country. Despite these complex problems, it is to the credit of the National Convention that it has accomplished these tasks.

Struggle for Power

Foreign war and internal unrest were the main challenges that the National Convention had to face. Under these circumstances, there was a greater need for unity and determination. The National Assembly, however, was torn into terrifying factionalism. The main contenders for power in the National Assembly were the Girondins and the Jacobins. Both of these factions were committed to the Republic. However, their differences were sharp over the question of what role the city of Paris should play in government. The Girondins represented the departments (provinces) and insisted that Paris, which was only one of the 83 departments into which France was divided, should have only 1/83 of the influence. The Girondins claimed that they would not tolerate any dictatorship of the capital.

On the other hand, the Jacobins drew their power from the capital city of Paris. They considered Paris to be the brain and heart of the country. The Girondins eagerly followed legal forms and processes. The Jacobins, on the other hand, were not so scrupulous. They were rude, active, and indifferent to the law. They believed in using force wherever and whenever necessary. The Girondins hated three prominent Jacobin leaders—Robespierre, Danton, and Marat.

The Trial and Execution of Louis XVI

The rivalry between the Girondins and the Jacobins intensified after the meeting of the National Assembly. Louis XVI, who had been deposed earlier, was put on trial. He was accused of conspiring against the nation and attempting to overthrow the constitution. After the trial, the king was unanimously found guilty of treason and was sentenced to immediate execution. While the Girondins begged for mercy, the Jacobins demanded his immediate death. Finally, Louis XVI was executed by guillotine on Sunday, January 21, 1793. His last words were: “Gentlemen, I am innocent of what I am accused of. May my blood bring happiness to the French.”

Coalition against France

The immediate consequence of the execution of Louis XVI was to increase the number of enemies of France. France was already at war with Austria and Prussia. After the execution of the French king, other countries such as England, Spain, Russia, Holland, and some states in Germany and Italy joined the coalition against France. The Civil War also added to the problems of the National Convention as the peasants of the Vendée rose against the Republic in support of the non-judicial priests.

Public Security Committee

The National Assembly has decided to face the challenge from within and without. It voted to raise 300,000 troops to meet the challenge of a coalition of powers against France. It created the Committee for Public Security to provide executive oversight, the Committee for General Security to oversee the police, and the Revolutionary Tribunal to hear political cases. These committees were to concentrate the full strength of the nation on the problem of national defense and to eliminate the enemies of the republic, whether foreign or domestic.

Rebellion against the Girondins

Meanwhile, the power struggle between the Girondins and the Jacobins took a turn for the worse. The Girondins wanted to punish those Jacobin leaders, especially Marat, who was responsible for the “September Massacre” (1792). They also wanted to punish members of the Paris Commune for numerous illegal acts. To silence the Girondins, the Paris Commune, which supported the Jacobins, organized an uprising against the Girondins. The Tuileries, where the Convention was meeting, were surrounded by the Parisian mob. The National Convention thus became a prisoner of the commune. The commune demanded the expulsion of the Girondin leaders from the National Assembly. Twenty-nine Girondin leaders were arrested and later executed. The victory of the commune was the victory of the Jacobins, who became masters of the National Assembly. The Girondins called on the ministries to take up arms against the tyrannical Paris Commune. The departments responded to the call from the Girondins. Around 60 of the 83 wards participated in the anti-Jacobin movement.

Efforts to Resist Foreign Invasion

Meanwhile, efforts were made to counter the danger of invasion by foreign armies. For the needs of the war, a general call for troops was issued, and 750,000 men were enrolled in the army. Carnot, one of the members of the Committee of Public Safety, rendered great service in organizing the armed forces by training and equipping recruits. These newly organized armies were sent in various directions against the foreign enemies of France. The French armies made superhuman efforts and were successful in many battles against the coalition forces.

Reign of Terror, Law of Suspects: While this great effort was going on to resist foreign invaders, the Committee of Public Safety was engaged in a furious campaign in France against all domestic enemies. Under the Suspects Act, any person of noble birth or who held office before the Revolution had any relation to an emigrant or could not produce proof of citizenship was liable to execution. It is estimated that about 5,000 people were executed under this suspect law in Paris alone during the so-called Reign of Terror. The Reign of Terror was unleashed by the Committee of Public Safety, the first real executive body to rule France since the overthrow of the monarchy. The Reign of Terror officially began with the establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal in March 1793. Although initially the Reign of Terror began in Paris, it soon spread to the countryside. Local courts were established to arrest and sentence suspected anti-revolutionaries.

The deposed Queen Marie Antoinette also fell victim to the Reign of Terror and was executed by guillotine. The Reign of Terror ended when Danton and later Robespierre were sent to the guillotine. As it happened, the coup against Robespierre and his associates was led by a group of dissident Jacobins, including members of the Committee of Public Safety. They supported the Reign of Terror but feared that Robespierre would turn on them next. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre and his close followers were arrested in the congress hall. Over the next two days, Robespierre and 82 of his companions were executed by guillotine. The Reign of Terror was the most radical phase of the French Revolution and remains the most controversial. Some have seen the Reign of Terror as a significant advance towards modern democracy; others call it a step towards modern dictatorship. Some defenders of the Revolution argued that the Reign of Terror was a reasonable response to the military crisis of 1793 under the circumstances. Others rejected this idea, pointing out that the military victories of early 1794 did little to diminish the intensity of the Reign of Terror, followed by the Great Terror of June and July 1794, in which more than 1,300 people were executed in Paris.

Constitution of 1795

To prevent the restoration of the monarchy, the National Convention drew up a new constitution for France. Under the new republican constitution, legislative power was to be vested in a bicameral national legislature. One of the chambers was to be called the Council of Elders, composed of 250 members who must be at least 40 years old and either married or widowed. The second chamber was to be known as the Council of Five Hundred. It was to be composed of members aged at least 30 years. Members were to be elected by voters who owned property. Only the Council of Five Hundred had the right to draft laws. However, these laws could not be put into effect unless passed by the Council of Elders.

The executive power of the state was to be exercised by a directory consisting of five directors. They were to be at least 40 years of age and elected by both houses of the National Legislature. In rotation, each of the directors held the presidency for 3 months, and one director alternated each year. The National Convention approved two amendments to the Constitution that stated that two-thirds of each council should be chosen from among the members of the National Convention. The new constitution was accepted by the people of France in a referendum. The two-thirds law was unpopular in Paris. A Paris mob launched an attack on the National Assembly at the Tuileries on April 20, 1795. The National Assembly was saved by Napoleon Bonaparte, a military officer who used his presence of mind to disperse the mob.

Conclusion

Napoleon Bonaparte thus saved the Revolution by saving the National Assembly from the unruly mob of Paris. Other important achievements of the National Convention include the introduction of a new system of weights and measures known as the metric system. He also laid the foundation and carried out preliminary work on the codification of laws. She also dealt with the problem of national education, which was supposed to be compulsory, free, and completely secular.

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