18 Ventôse
An CCXXXIV
National Convention
The National Convention was the parliament that emerged from the first free and general elections of the French Revolution after the fall of the king on 10 August 1792. The Convention’s first act was the proclamation of the Republic. In January 1793, a narrow majority decided on the execution of Louis XVI. In June 1793, the leading Girondins were arrested. The Montagnards then dominated politics for one year. They passed the laws that became the basis of the Reign of Terror. The Committee of Public Safety and the Committee of General Security were granted extensive powers. With the fall of Robespierre in July 1794, the deputies regained their authority. The Thermidorians dominated Parliament for another year. They returned to a policy shaped by the interests of the upper bourgeoisie. In the autumn of 1795, the Convention dissolved.
JK
1792 - 1795
- September 20, 1792 · First session of the National Convention.
- September 21, 1792 · The National Convention declares the abolition of the monarchy. France is now a republic.
- January 21, 1793 · After being found guilty and sentenced to death by the National Convention, the former king Louis XVI is guillotined on the Place de la Révolution in Paris.
- June 2, 1793 · The radical Montagnards win the power struggle against the moderate Girondins. Numerous deputies are placed under house arrest. The leading Girondin politicians are executed on 31 October 1793.
- July 27, 1794 · 9 Thermidor. Uprising of the National Convention against Robespierre. He is prevented from speaking and arrested together with four other deputies.
- July 28, 1794 · Execution of Robespierre and his supporters.
- August 1794 · The Convention curtails the powers of the committees and thereby regains greater authority.
- May 20, 1794 · Prairial uprising. Sans-culottes storm Parliament. They demand
bread and the Constitution of 1793
. The uprising fails. Fourteen sympathetic deputies are arrested, six of whom are sentenced to death. - August 22, 1795 · The Convention adopts the Constitution of Year III (Directory).
- October 26, 1795 · Final session of the National Convention.
Quotes
Legislators, you declared that there is no constitution except one that has been freely accepted by the people. You also declared that royalty has been abolished in France.
Pétion, president of the National Convention, 21 September 1792
The National Convention is the sole center of revolutionary initiative.
Decree of 7 Fructidor, Year II (24 August 1794)
The National Convention declares that its mission has been fulfilled and that the session is closed.
Genissieu, president of the National Convention, 26 October 1795.
Le Moniteur
Quartidi, 14 brumaire, l'an 4 de la République Française, une et indivisible
(November 5, 1795)
External links
