18 Ventôse
An CCXXXIV
Republic
On 21 September 1792, the freely elected National Convention met for the first time. The deputies solemnly proclaimed the end of the monarchy. France thus became a republic – a form of government in which power emanates from the people. A radical break with the old order. Yet the new state of the French Revolution had to assert itself against enemies both at home and abroad. Until the Consulate, this was repeatedly achieved through Terror, emergency measures and coups d’état. The First Republic lasted until 1804. That year, Napoleon crowned himself emperor – the Empire began.
JK
1792 - 1804
- September 21, 1792 · The National Convention proclaims the abolition of the monarchy in France.
- September 22, 1792 · On the motion of Billaud-Varenne, the Convention decrees that acts shall be dated as
Year I of the Republic
, retroactively effective from the previous day. - June 24, 1793 · The Convention adopts a democratic constitution, approved by referendum (Constitution of 1793). It is suspended until peace is achieved and never enters into force.
- August 22, 1795 · The National Convention adopts the Constitution of the Directory (Constitution of the year III).
- November 10, 1799 · The Directory is replaced by a provisional Consulate headed by Napoleon. It is tasked with drafting a new constitution.
- December 15, 1799 · Promulgation of the Constitution of the Consulate (Constitution of the year VIII). Official end of the Revolution, though France formally remains a republic.
- August 4, 1802 · Constitution of the Year X. Napoleon becomes consul for life.
- May 18, 1804 · The Constitution of Year XII enters into force. End of the Republic, beginning of the Empire.
Quotes
I request that, starting from yesterday, documents no longer be dated as the fourth year of liberty, but as the first year of the French Republic.
Billaud-Varenne, September 22, 1792
The French Republic is one and indivisible.
Article 1, Constitution of the French People, June 24, 1793
To build a republic is to destroy everything that opposes it.
Saint-Just, February 5, 1794
Le Moniteur
Samedi 22 septembre 1792,
l'an quatrième de la liberté, et le premier de l'égalité
The abolition of the monarchy, 21 September 1792
External links
