National Convention

It's in the Armoury Chamber of the Tuileries than meets the National Convention until 9 May 1793. She then moved into the old machine room of the Tuileries Palace , a vast room on the ground floor used for various performances. In this last room, the galleries were planned for eight to nine hundred people, this figure could be doubled in some occasions.

The Convention is the name given to the Constituent Assembly that governed France from 21 September 1792 to 26 October 1795 during the French Revolution.

She succeeded the Legislative Assembly and founded the First Republic. She was elected for the first time in France, universal male suffrage to give a new constitution for France, made necessary by the lapse of Louis XVI during the day on August 10, 1792.

At its first meeting, the Convention, which exercised legislative power, abolished the monarchy after the interventions of Collot d'Herbois and the Abbe Gregoire , who declared: "The kings are in the moral order what monsters are in the physical order. The courses are workshop of the crime, the focus of corruption and the den of tyrants. The history of kings is the martyrology of nations. "

The next day, the Year One of the Republican calendar was proclaimed. The Constitution of Year I , very democratic Constitution ( universal male suffrage ) and decentralization, developed by the Montagnard Convention who solemnly promulgated 10 August 1793 after a referendum , was never implemented due to state of war inside and outside. On 10 October 1793 , the Convention enshrined the institution of a system of terror , saying: "The provisional government of France is revolutionary until the peace. "

The National Convention was created in an extremely tense: On August 10, 1792 took place the insurrectionary Commune of Paris and the taking of the Tuileries. The Legislature passed a decree calling for the election by universal suffrage of a National Convention which will establish new institutions of France. A Transitional Executive Council is formed to ensure the continuity of government. It is composed of six ministers chosen from outside the Legislature.

First experience of universal suffrage in the history of France, general elections were held from 2 to 6 September 1792. Voter turnout very low in the districts is 11.9% of the electorate, against 10.2% in September 1791, while the number of voters was more or less doubled . The conditions of votes were:

• ^1st degree: be 21 years old, domiciled for a year and pay a contribution equal to three working days;
• ^2nd degree: be 25 years old, domiciled for a year and pay a contribution equal to or greater than one hundred fifty days of work.

While the Town is primarily concerned with elections in Paris, the Executive Council , and particularly the interior minister, Roland , attempts to guide voters in the departments, through the publication of newspapers, especially The Sentinel Jean-Baptiste Louvet Couvray of , or brochures, as Table Comparative votes in favor of La Fayette, which seeks to distinguish the true patriots of the royalists hidden among the incumbents ), mostly moderate revolutionaries, with members of local clubs among the most active, often of a patriotism more virulent than the former, the order in which each was elected, reflecting the consideration they inspire voters and influence the various parties involved, obliged to negotiate . The revolution of 10 August necessarily excluded the royalists, accomplices abroad or suspected of convenience for treason, mass, who had not voted secretly felt uneasy and unhappy. "

To compare with the province, Paris takes a position dramatically. Is the Jacobin Club , which means the deputation of Paris. The Girondins are discarded. Robespierre was elected first, followed by Danton. Of 24 members, outside the Duke of Orleans, became Philippe Egalite , only two are moderates.

The forces present at the Convention

Representation at the Convention after the elections of 1792. Elected by less than 10% of the population, the 749 Convention members are all from the revolutionary movement. Divided, compositional fluctuation, without clear policy guidelines, the Mountain and the Gironde are not parties in the modern sense. The majority of MPs, "the Plain "(which are not" moderates "), following the Montagnards and the Girondins as they believe that one or the other best embody the collective hopes.

The Girondins , almost all young people are mainly coming from the provincial bourgeoisie major coastal ports. The Brissotins, or Rolandine Girondins are wary of the Parisian people. Their support is in the provinces and among the rich bourgeoisie of trading and manufacturing. They are very committed to individual liberties and economic in 1789 and are reluctant to take emergency measures to save the young republic to which they are attached yet. They are led by Brissot , Vergniaud , Petion and Roland. They leave quickly the Jacobin Club. Called at the time or Brissotins Rolandine, the name of Girondins less old and was not popularized until the early ^nineteenth century, notably by Lamartine in his Histoire des Girondins.

The Montagnards (so called because they sat on the highest benches of the Assembly) are considered the most radical of the meeting, with members from Paris, led by Robespierre. They are more sensitive to the difficulties of the people. They are willing to ally with people, including the sans-culottes of the Paris Commune and to take emergency measures to save the country in danger. Their leaders are, among others, Robespierre , Danton , Marat , Saint-Just. For the Jacobins, the separation of powers is not justified in a democratic regime . The form of government is a more perfect system with a unicameral assembly elected by direct universal suffrage, which concentrates the three powers. The Convention as they have led between 1793 and 1794, meets these criteria.

In the center sits a majority of MPs, known as the Plain (the Marais and its detractors), which in turn supports the other two trends depending on circumstances. Initially the center supports Brissotins.

Girondins as the Montagnards are members of the Jacobin Club. After August 10, 1792, the club tends to form a parallel power against the Convention. It's the Jacobins as often as open and place the fundamental debates that are emerging major decisions: the Convention follows, more or less recalcitrant. The club is constantly refined opponents of Robespierre. After the fall of Robespierre the club was soon closed.

The Convention Gironde

Trial of Louis XVI in the National Convention Hall of the Manege

Gironde Convention (September 21, 1792 to June 2, 1793) is the first time in the history of the National Convention dominated by the Girondins. At its first meeting , it proclaims the abolition of the monarchy on 21 September 1792 , giving way to the First Republic . It is marked by the violent rivalry between the Girondins and Montagnards. The Girondins are trying to avoid the king's trial , fearing that it will revive the revolution-cons and would reinforce the hostility of European monarchies. But the discovery of the " iron closet "Tuileries November 30, 1792 makes the inevitable trial. The documents found in this secret safe irrefutably prove the treachery of Louis XVI. The trial began December 10. The Highlanders led by Saint-Just and Robespierre put the debate on the ideological level. Louis XVI is said to be foreign enemy to the body of the nation and "usurper" . After discussion, the King is found guilty by an overwhelming majority, 693 votes against 28. He was sentenced to death by a narrow majority, 366 votes against 334. The suspension and appeal to the people requested by the Girondins was repulsed. King Louis XVI was guillotined on 21 January 1793 Revolution Square. The execution of Louis XVI leads to the formation of the first coalition. It unites the majority of European countries against France.

The military defeats inflicted by the first coalition of Europe's leading monarchist voting, 24 February 1793 from the exercise of 300,000 men. The announcement lifted, by lot, causing rural uprisings immediately suppressed by force. But the Convention has since passed a law that establishes a genuine sense of terror every rebel in arms in hand must be executed within 24 hours without trial. The Vendee War began in March 1793 which serves as argument to the Montagnards and the Sans-culotte to stigmatize the softness of the Girondins and demand exceptional measures which they are reluctant. The Girondins are obliged to accept the creation of the Committee hello Public and Revolutionary Court. The social and economic difficulties exacerbate tensions between Girondins and Montagnards. On 26 May 1793, Robespierre launched to Jacobins a call for an "insurrection" Members "patriots" against their colleagues accused of treason. On June 2 , a crowd of 80 000 men armed with 150 guns invests the Convention. After trying out a procession which faces the guns, the Assembly must resign himself to order the arrest of 29 leaders Girondins.

The Montagnard Convention

In France , the Montagnard Convention of 2 June 1793 to 9 Thermidor Year II ( 27 July 1794 ), is the second time in the history of the National Convention dominated by the Montagnards after the ouster of the Girondins.

The Convention voted June 24, 1793, a very democratic and decentralized constitution, ratified by referendum. The Constitution of Year I seeks to establish a genuine popular sovereignty through frequent elections by universal suffrage, the imperative mandate and the possibility for citizens to intervene in the legislative process. All powers are given to a legislative body elected for one year. A 24-member executive board is responsible for enforcing the decisions of the Assembly. He was appointed by it and under its strict dependence . But the Constitution has never been applied. On 10 August 1793, the Convention decreed that the application of the Constitution is suspended until the peace. Saint-Just said: "In circumstances where the Republic, the constitution can not be established, it would sacrifice by itself. It would guarantee terrorist attacks against freedom, because it would lack the will to repress. Indeed, the Montagnard deputies face dramatic circumstances - insurgencies federalists , Vendee War chess military, worsening economic conditions. They therefore decided to establish a genuine revolutionary dictatorship exercised in practice by the Committee of Public hello and the Committee of General Security. The decree of December 10, 1793 said: "The revolutionary government will be up 'to peace. "The National Convention is normally fulfills all the power. By law, 14 Frimaire II (December 4, 1793 ), the Convention is the "single center of the pulse of government."

The principal organ of government created by the Assembly during this period the Committee of Public hello. It was created in April 1793 and dominated by Danton to disposal July 10. The "grand committee of Year II" has 12 members reelected every month by the Convention. He initiated legislation, executive power and appoints officials. He that centralizes power in a particularly critical period. It is dominated by the personality of Robespierre. Each member specializes in a particular area as Carnot armies.

Convention members have been marked by the brutal summary executions of massacres of September. To defeat the enemies of the Revolution and to avoid a return to the popular fury, they organize the terror law. They vote in September 1793 the Law of Suspects. The list of suspects is very broad. The nobles, the emigrants, the refractory priests, the federalists, the speculators and their families fall into this category. They should be imprisoned until the peace. The popular societies, controlled by the sans-culottes, receive powers of surveillance and policing. The Terror is put on the agenda. To appease the discontent of urban people affected by supply problems, rising food prices and the devaluation of the scrip during the Committee of Public hello sets up the economic terror. From July 27, the Convention voted the death penalty against the monopolists, that is to say against those who store food instead of selling them. In September, the law on the maximum price freezes prices to the level of 1790 increased by 30%. Finally the course forced the scrip is introduced. These measures fail to end the difficulties of feeding the cities. The purchasing power of employees, paid in paper money, continues to erode. The levee en masse, the mobilization of all energies for a real war economy (search for saltpeter for gunpowder, the mobilization of scientists, the replacement of incompetent generals, traitors or unwilling to take the offensive strategy of the Committee hello from the public , replaced by young officers from the ranks and clearly Republicans, including Hoche , Jourdan , Marceau , but Pichegru or Bonaparte ) ensure decisive victories for Republicans.

After trying a policy of balance between the factions, the Committee of Public hello , dominated by the figure of Maximilien Robespierre , very popular among the people, decided to eliminate Hebert (ultra-revolutionaries), followed by Moderates (moderate directed by Georges Danton ), which threaten, in his view, the revolutionary government. Gradually resuming control of the country after the chaos that prevailed during the civil war of 1793 and encouraged the development of uncontrolled violence, the revolutionary government tried to establish the Republic by creating a class of small landowners (Act the sharing of municipal decrees Ventose ...) and a Republican legal (civil institutions, education projects of the People). Convention mountain created by the Decree of 21 Ventose Year II ( 11 March 1794 ) a commission to create the Central School of Public Works , future Polytechnic. Gaspard Monge , Lazare Carnot (called the great organizer of victory) and Prieur Cte-d'Or are the main members.

On 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794 ), the fall of Robespierre ends the revolutionary government. The preparation of the plot is well known. The Committee has divided public Hi. Robespierre no longer appears in more than a month. Herbois Collot, Billaud-Varenne, Carnot feel threatened and make contact with other groups: former representatives on official recalled by Robespierre for "abusing revolutionary principles" and threatened the Revolutionary Court, the Committee of General Security , which does not see trimming its prerogatives in matters of police, members of the Plain who suffer, while deploring the the Reign of Terror. Yet the overthrow of the military situation with the victory of Fleurus on June 26 no longer justifies the eyes of the latter, the maintenance of Terror. The parliamentary majority rocker.

The Convention Thermidor

Convention Thermidor is the name given to the third period in the history of the National Convention from 27 in July 1794 to 26 October 1795.

After the fall of Robespierre , a struggle between, in the National Convention, the Montagnards of the Year III , around Barrere , Billaud-Varenne and Collot d'Herbois , supporters of keeping the revolutionary government, the command economy, with the maximum and the taxation of grain prices, and the Terror , on the one hand, and the moderate majority of the assembly, gathering around the Montagnards Dantonists Tallien or Freron and members of the Marais , around Sieyes , Cambaceres , Daunou or Boissy d'Anglas , advocates a return to economic liberalism and constitutional government. March 8, 1795, Marie-Joseph Chnier gets back 22 Girondins leaders outlawed after the days of 31 May and 2 June 1793 and insurgencies federalists (including Louvet of Couvray ) and 73 deputies (including Louis-Sebastien Mercier ) who were jailed after protesting against the arrest of 22, significantly strengthening the moderate camp.

The revolutionary government is gradually dismantled, with the establishment of the renewal shift every month members of the Committee of Public hello and reduced his powers after Thermidor and his death in 1795, the maximum suppression of 24 December 1794 or definitive restoration of the Paris Stock Exchange October 10, 1795 (which promotes the development of speculation ).

Fusilier Guard Convention, 1795

The 1794-95 winter was particularly harsh, the price of bread increases, and the people of Paris is facing a serious food shortage , the liberal policy of the Convention does not stop. Also, anger is brewing among the popular sections. Especially that France suffered at that time a crisis economic and financial that the scrip , the revolutionary government had managed to more or less stabilized in 1793, suffered a precipitous decline.

Meanwhile, after Thermidor, much of the suspects imprisoned during the Terror - royalists, federalists, monopolists - have expanded, while many revolutionary activists were arrested and officials suspected of "complicity" with the "tyrant" (Robespierre) revoked. Similarly, the excesses committed during the civil war that pitted the Federalists and Republicans to the royalists in 1793 are revealed, and some representatives on mission are tried and executed ( Carrier at Nantes or Joseph Le Bon at Cambrai) and the Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris and the People's Committee of Orange, with the encouragement of families of victims and suspects released, with the view to promote the image of a violent and bloody terror.

As part of this reaction Thermidor, the press and moderate royalist rages against the "terrorists" treated "tyrants" and "bloodthirsty." Freron, representative of the Convention in the South with Barras in 1793, where he distinguished himself by his violence and rapine, is reappearing as of 11 September 1794, the Speaker of the People, which is the organ of reactionary propaganda and where he demonstrated a virulent anti-Jacobin. Similarly, the royalist Mehee de la Touche publishes the pamphlet La Queue de Robespierre , and Pitou spreading in the streets royalists the refrains. Furthermore, verbal and physical violence against those that closely resemble or indirectly to a "Jacobin" multiply. Freron Tallien and organizing bands of dandies, who face the Jacobins, including September 19, 1794, Palais-Egalite (the Palais-Royal ). The fights are increasing between the gilded youth and Republicans, including the soldiers. Taking advantage of such violence, the authorities closed the Jacobin Club in November 1794. In 1794-95, the bands 2 000-3 000 "black collars," and organized by Tallien Freron and led by the Marquis de Saint-Huruge (1750-1810), around the figures of the singer and composer Pierre-Jean Garat , Pitou, of Francis Elleviou and Langlois, and composed of suspects got out of prison, rebellious, journalists, artists, clerks, brokers, shopkeepers - dressed in a skimpy dress' color of dung "in a black velvet collar, the Basque cut in cod tail and tight breeches below the knee - rossent passersby who look bad (Jacobins). Even the Gironde of Couvray Louvet , denouncing both the royalists that the Jacobins in his newspaper, the Sentinel, is attacked by the young royalist in his library-printing of the Palais-Royal in October 1795 .

The Jacobins, faced with the double hostility moderate republicans and royalists, the sections grow popular revolt. However, the insurrections of Germinal 12 and ¹ Prairial (April and May 1795) fail, and authorities ordered the disarmament of "terrorists". What are the latest popular uprisings before the Revolution of 1830.

Taking advantage of the weakening of the Jacobins, spontaneous movements of revenge of the royalists, families of victims of terror and fanatical Catholics grow during the year 1795, in south-eastern France, especially the valley Rhone against "terrorists" this movement has been called the " White Terror ". The Companies of Jehu in Lyon and the sun , chasing and killing Jacobins, republicans, constitutional priest, Protestant political detainees in prisons, at Lons-le-Saunier , Bourg , Lyon, Saint-Etienne , Aix , Marseille , Toulon , Tarascon , etc.. usually with the connivance of the municipal and departmental authorities, if not the representatives on mission, based on the Royalists in their fight against the Jacobins.

Royalist uprising against the National Convention on 13 Vendmiaire Year IV - etching of Abraham Girardet (1764-1823).

However, the failed landing of the emigrants at Quiberon in June-July 1795, and the royalist insurrection of 13 Vendemiaire year IV (October 5, 1795) are aware of the Convention of the threat posed by the royalists and for several months, Fall and winter 1795-96, attempts to restore the unity of the Republicans against their common enemy. Freron is sent to Marseille at the end of 1795, to suppress the White Terror (it will be recalled in January 1796); Jacobins deposed officers are reinstated in the army ( Jean Antoine Rossignol , Napoleon Bonaparte ...), suits against the Montagnards are interrupted by the Decree of 13 October, a general amnesty "for the actual facts concerning the Revolution" (which excludes the migrants, deported, accused of Vendmiaire and counterfeiters) is passed October 26, 1795. The Pantheon Club , composed of former Jacobins and terrorists, all from the petty bourgeoisie, opens Nov. 6.

On 28 September 1794 , voted for the legislation that constitutes the foundation charter of the Polytechnic. On 10 October 1794 , voted for the law that constitutes the act of foundation of the Conservatoire National des Arts et Metiers.

Inspired by the deputies of the Plain, the Convention Thermidor has thus ended the revolutionary government and marked the return to power of a bourgeois republic liberal and moderate. It has laid the foundations of the Executive by the drafting of the Constitution of Year III proving the suffrage.

The composition of the Convention

In 1792, the Convention was formally composed of 749 deputies, in practice, there was rarely more than 350 seats in the sessions . Most members are lawyers, including a majority of lawyers (one third). The agricultural and other is represented by 2 workers, the rest of the Convention is composed of 55 nobles and ecclesiastics.

Committees

By law, 14 Frimaire II (December 4, 1793 ), the Convention is the "single center of the pulse of government."

The work of this Assembly takes place in an atmosphere characterized by a dramatic extreme political passion, and under constant pressure from the street, that is to say, "delegations" from accusing any particular member, or a particular faction. To facilitate the work of the committees are created. They are composed of deputies elected for one month, renewable indefinitely. Each of these committees operates a given sector. They prepare the work of the Assembly in establishing the texts then submitted to the Convention for discussion and vote. These committees are the key decision-making centers of the Government. Among the various committees (about 16), two have played the role of the dictatorship of Robespierre.

The Committee of General Security

It is created by the Convention on 2 October 1792 and received award for "anything that relates to people and the general police and domestic." It is composed of 30 members and 12, all Montagnards. This committee is of considerable importance during the Terror. 13 September 1793 to 27 July 1794 (9 Thermidor Year II), this committee, with the same men, took the Police Terror.

This committee receives and encourage denunciations. It establishes cases against politicians and send them to prosecutors. He recruited "spies", called "flies". He deals with all major political affairs at the time, including the trial of the Girondins. But the increasing interference of the Committee hello public in matters of Police attached to the growing animosity of the members of the Committee of General Security cons Robespierre causes the passage of the General Security Committee (members include the painter David Amar, Marc-Guillaume Alexis Vadier - Chairman of the Committee, the architect of the downfall of Robespierre - Philippe Bas) in the camp opposed to Robespierre.

The Public Committee hello

It was established on 6 April 1793 and serves as a link between the Convention and ministers. In fact, he assumed full executive power because the ministers have no power of decision.

Initially it was composed of 9 members of which Danton and Barrere Vieuzac. It was renewed every month at the origin and takes its final shape during the fall of the Girondins in June 1793. It is divided into sections: Section of the War Section of the Interior, Division of Petition, Section of General Correspondence.

In July 1793 , with the elimination of Danton , who heads the team of France during the Terror was established with 12 members including three ex-Hebert (Collot, Billaud and Marie-Jean Herault de Sechelles ), 3 Robespierrists (Robespierre and Saint-Just Couthon), members of the Jacobin Club , three moderate (Carnot, Barrere, Lindet), plus 3 members less politicized (and the 2 Prior Jean Bon Saint Andr) - a total of 8 attorneys, 2 engineers, a pastor and an actor. The Committee is under the influence of Robespierre, but he does not control the Committee of General Security (responsible for the surge of Terror), or strategic decisions of hosts.

For one year, the Committee is vested with full powers by the Convention: he decided to foreign policy, domestic policy, appoint and dismiss the generals leading the representatives on mission, prepares arrest warrants ... This power is increased from ¹ April 1794 when the ministers are removed, replaced by commissions. Members of the Committee control theoretically hello and elect public each month. To counter Robespierrists eager to punish the excesses of the Terror and the brutalities of some representatives on mission , members 'ultras' made an alliance with the moderates to bring about the downfall of Robespierre, preventing the expression of 9 Thermidor Year II and guillotined on 10 (after this date, the Committee hello public has a very low power). Thermidorian victorious power and ultras are then repented of Robespierre the scapegoat of Terror, this tool of oppression for government to save the Convention of the enemies of the Republic whose appeal had been proposed by Danton.

Other committees of the National Convention

21 September 1792 , the National Convention decreed that the Committees of the National Legislative Assembly will continue their duties temporarily.

At its next meeting on a proposal from Lanjuinais , the President of the National Convention, Condorcet , appointed Osselin , Herald of Sechelles , Mathieu and Defermon to present the array of committees to be established.

On 23 September 1792, the National Convention decreed the establishment of a

• Military Committee and war (24 members)

September 28, 1792, Matthew made a report and presented a draft decree containing the organizational committees (art. 1-6), composition (Art. 7-10) and a long list of committees to create (art. 11 to 19).

The first six items were adopted the next day. But, on a motion to Cambon , the National Convention decreed that there was no need to continue to deliberate on the project and establish on the spot Committees as it deems necessary and determine the number of members whose they are composed.
Was thus created on the spot (September 29, 1792) a:

• Constitution Committee (9 members).

On ¹ October 1792, the National Convention decreed that he would read out the list of Committees of the Legislative Assembly and that it would stop those who will be retained.
Were thus kept of:

• Board of Inspectors of the room, secretarial and printing (18 members)
• Agriculture Committee (24 members)
• Divisional Committee (24 members)

October 2, 1792, following the formation of committees was decreed:

• Commerce Committee (16 members)
• Orders Committee (9 members)
• Committee of the Navy and Colonies (20 members)
• Committee of the war , divided into two sections (26 members)
• Committee of General Security (30 members)
• Finance Committee (42 members)
• Committee of areas (24 members)
• Diplomatic Committee (9 members)
• Public Hearing Committee (24 members)
• Public Relief Committee (24 members)
• Legislation Committee (48 members)
• Liquidation committee and review of accounts (24 members)
• Committee petitions and correspondence (24 members)

October 13, 1792, a

• Committee on the Review of Accounts (15 members)

On ¹ January 1793 , a

• Committee of General Defence Committee hello became public March 26, 1793 (made at its formation, three members of the War Committee, 3 members of the Finance Committee, 3 members of the colony, three members of the Navy 3 members of the Diplomatic Committee, 3 members of the Constitutional Committee and 3 members of the trade, a total of 21 members)

and April 6, 1793, proposed by Barrere , the Committee of Public hello

On 18 January, on motion of Dubois-Crance , a

• Committee on Roads and Bridges (12 members)

Were still being created, 4 May 1793, a

• Committee of the wagons of the army (7 members)
• Committee of the clothing of the troops (7 members)
• Oversight Committee for food and military supplies (8 members)

There is also a

• Disposition Committee (13 members)

The indoctrination of citizens

All citizens are harnessed to the revolutionary cause. Thus, the administration is organizing a permanent supervision through revolutionary celebrations (Youth Day, Feast of the Federation Festival, Old Age, etc..), And through education.

It is a cultural revolution with the movement of de-Christianization and the introduction of a new cult: Reason. The new revolutionary calendar was introduced on September 22 1792 ⁽¹ year Vendemiaire I) and used until 1805. The old names are deleted from the calendar.

In addition, each citizen must be equipped with a certificate of good citizenship which demonstrates its commitment to the revolutionary cause.

The influence of the revolutionary government on the country

For the Parisian pulse is reflected throughout the country as soon as possible, the entire administrative apparatus was reorganized.

The people's representatives on mission

Uniform of the "mission representative" (painting attributed to David ; Credit: Muse du Louvre).

These are members of the Convention which is assigned a temporary mission. The system is widespread in spring 1793. Are two representatives to monitor and renew itself. They are vested with full powers. They have the power to transform the criminal courts in county court revolutionary breakthrough that will consist of judging with extreme severity political offenses at the same time as ordinary crimes. For political offenses, they follow the same procedure as the Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris.

Representatives on mission are sometimes accompanied by a guillotine to impress and ensure the speedy execution of sentences. They also have the power to create commissions (popular or revolutionary) that will operate primarily in the departments who rebelled against the Convention in June 1793.

Representatives armies

They are sent by fear of betrayal or military uprisings. They perform many functions, monitor the mood of the generals, restored order in the army, impose the offensive.

The military has more than the technical conduct of operations.

The representatives in the departments

Groups of departments are assigned to two representatives who will report to the Committee of Public hello every ten days. They impose the revolutionary spirit, have kept the laws. They have this huge powers: the right to issue orders, real provincial legislation as the Convention has not repealed, to create special courts to revoke public officials. They organize political police, arrests, feeding, lifting of citizens mobilized.

During summer and autumn 1793 , representatives of France will impose obedience. They are effective agents and feared (Carrier at Nantes, Marseille Barras, Fouche in Lyon ...).

Each change of the political line is accompanied by a reminder of representatives who are no longer considered reliable men.

It is a very efficient institution, maintained even after the fall of Robespierre, until the fall of the Convention (October 1795 ) then replaced by the Commissioners, with lower efficiency.

Committees of the National Convention

On 21 September 1792 , the National Convention decreed, as the Committees, the Committees of the National Legislative Assembly will continue their duties temporarily.

On ¹ October 1792 , on a motion Barbaroux was created, a

• Special Committee of Twenty-Four, charged with inventorying the papers of the Monitoring Committee of the Commune of Paris. This Commission was abolished July 19, 1793.

Were created, the 2 October 1792 , a

• Central Commission , to set the agenda (consisting of one member of each Committee)
• Committee on Archives (2 members)
• Inspection Board Minutes, Referrals and shipping (three offices and six Commissioners to monitor offices)

On 18 October 1792 , a

• Commission for the Conservation of Monuments of Arts and Sciences (33 members, 4 members of the National Convention)

On 27 October 1792 , a

• "Commission of Nine," which presented a draft decree against incitement to murder and murder.

On 20 November 1792 , a

• Twelve Committee, charged with inventorying the papers found in the iron chest

On 6 December 1792 , a

• "Commission of Twenty-One", whose Girondin Valaze was the rapporteur, appointed by the Convention to submit the act of enunciation of the crimes Louis Capet is accused and the series of questions for the king during his trial.

On 11 March 1793 , a

• Six Commission about the special criminal court

On 8 April 1793 , a

• Commission news (6 members)

On 18 May 1793 , a

• Twelve Extraordinary Commission , responsible for investigating and prosecuting the conspirators (The establishment of this Commission led the insurrection of June 2, 1793, the fall of the Girondins and the beginning of the Terror .).

On 2 July 1793 , proposed by Robespierre , a

• Committee of Six, which presented a draft decree on education and public education

On 9 July 1793 , proposed by the Hatter , a

• Committee of Six, to collect and gather the records pertaining to the acceptance of the Constitution.

On 20 July 1793 , a

• Committee of Six, to oversee the speculation

On 29 July 1793 , a

• Committee of Seven, which presented its views on the contributions of 1793

There is also a

• Commission on Weapons
• Committee on Post and Courier

The Council of Ministers

On 10 August 1792 , during the storming of the Tuileries , the king's ministers were expelled and replaced by an Interim Executive Council composed of six members appointed by the Legislature.

This Council will be maintained by the Convention that appoints and dismisses its members. Each minister is responsible for his department with authority over the administrative staff. He has the power to make orders but is dependent on the Committee hello audience it is accountable every ten days. Because of the rivalry between the Committee of Public hello and the Executive Council, the ministers are removed by law from ¹ April 1794. This deletion can purify the ministerial staff (moderate Dantonists, enrages, etc.. All those who are not Robespierrists). 12 commissions replace the ministers, each consisting of three members appointed by the Convention beyond its members. These commissions are under the authority of a committee of the Convention.

The history of this revolutionary government is characterized until 9 Thermidor Year II by strengthening the power of the Convention and the Committee of Public hello: this is an extreme concentration of power. After 9 Thermidor Year II, Robespierrists are discarded. The revolutionary system loosens since the Convention abolished the dictatorship of the Committees.

The Revolutionary Committees in the provinces

These are political groups associated with public responsibilities consist from 1792 (until 1795 ). It is a parallel hierarchy next to the administrative hierarchy. The presence and favor of these committees represent the logic of the revolutionary system.

The people's representatives on mission are not permanently in the province. To eliminate many objections to be a revolutionary device to regulate the population, it is vital to establish local bodies and permanent assets that will monitor and guide the population, and support local public authorities.

Their function is to energize the Revolution, the administrative apparatus to prevent getting bogged down in routine. They allow the government of France by small teams.

These are structures within the confines of a "political party" and a public body (drifts philosophical societies, clubs ...). The moderates will be eliminated, and only acquired the Revolution Committees will remain.

Between 1790 and 1791 , the clubs "aristocratic" scrubbing is eliminated. In 1792 , the Committee members are removed too moderate, as the club leaves for example, very committed to respect the Constitution of 1791.

The role will be played by the Club des Jacobins in Paris and its subsidiaries in the provinces, as well as the Club des Cordeliers which will be cleared later. They form spontaneously with the authorities responsible offshoot groups to mobilize public opinion in favor of the revolutionary process.

From 1792 , it became customary for those clubs participating in administrative life. They constitute "committees" (Local Oversight Committee, the Revolutionary Committee). To fight against the moderates. In 1793 , these creations are widespread and institutionalized by various laws like the law of 21 March 1793 that each municipality must have a committee of 12 members "true sans-culottes, which are the soul of the Revolution. They denounce the authorities who are presumed to be opponents of the Revolution. The law of 4 December 1793 (14 Frimaire II) involving committees for all municipalities regarding the implementation of the revolutionary laws and measures Target hello.

They are tasked to hunt for suspects (800 000 in prison in 1794 , who did nothing against the Revolution but have done nothing to suspect ... and are) involved in the arrests have a general mission of propaganda (organization of patriotic ceremonies) are responsible for monitoring public authorities and denouncing them for "moderation." For this, they can go directly to the Committee of General Security and the Committee of Public hello.

Between 1792 and 1794 , they played a fundamental role in a reign of terror in the cities, often exceeding the instructions of Paris.

Public assistance

Voted by the Convention Gironde , the decree of March 19, 1793 says the right to assistance for any man unable to work, and the public assistance is a "sacred debt" ( 1793 Constitution ). A festival is dedicated to honoring decadal misfortune . The assistance takes on a dimension of patriotism , which is to say political scientist Pierre Rosanvallon that "modern welfare state owes more to Rousseau than Marx " . From 1791, a series of decrees granting relief on a patriotic relief Acadians and Canadians and then to many other categories of refugees ; compensation to people whose properties have suffered from invasions ; aid to relatives of victims of the day August 10, 1792 , the day of the Champ de Mars , etc.. . "In fall 1792, relief to families of the defenders of the homeland is a major thrust of the policy of public assistance (Rosanvallon, 1995 ).

Under the Montagnard Convention , the law of 24 Vendemiaire year II (October 1793, a few weeks after the general law of the maximum ) specifies measures for the extinction of begging, while the Law of 22 Floreal Year II (May 1793) organized public assistance in the countryside. The assistance was organized by the State, the law of 23 Messidor Year II decided the sale of assets of hospitals. However, faced with staffing problems and financial problems, the Convention suspended the law Messidor II hospitals. The Executive Board then returned to the traditional assistance, recalling the religious and abandoning the nationalization of public assistance. Under the Consulate and Empire , the hospital system is permanently reconstructed. The welfare offices are created.

The Revolutionary Justice

Teams revolutionaries in power from 1792 consider the criminal justice system established by the Constitution is too liberal because it does not ensure effective law enforcement, timely and exemplary. They will develop very efficient institutions.

The Revolutionary Tribunal

It was established 10 March 1793 and is located in Paris. This court "will know of any business-revolutionary cons of any attack against freedom, equality, unity and indivisibility of the Republic, the internal and external security of the state, and any conspiracy to reinstate royalty or other authority to establish an attack on freedom, equality, and sovereignty of the people, or that the accused are officials, civilian or military, or ordinary citizens. " It is a very broad definition that translates to almost all political opponents before the Revolutionary Court, which will happen very quickly. The Convention is committed to a policy of economic mobilization, and the offenses in this area will report to the court.

Staff

There are 5 judges, including a chairman, 12 jurors and the prosecution made a public prosecutor (Quentin Fouquier ) and two substitutes. They are all appointed by the Republican Convention among the safest. We therefore try the accused by political opponents.

Procedure

Originally, it was a common law procedure, with examination of witnesses for the prosecution and the defense, closing arguments. However, from the outset, convictions can be appealed.

But compliance with this procedure does not go very fast. The first six months, the Court pronounces a death sentence from quarantine and all of acquittal. For a quick condemnation of the Girondins, reforms are taking place.

The first reform took place in October 1793. The President of the Tribunal has the right to close debate when jurors said they were "bright enough", especially without waiting until all witnesses have been heard. From October 1793 to May 1794 , 50 convictions are held monthly.

In addition, the procedure is modified in the sandstone of the government against individual accused. For example, the trial of Danton in March 1794 ended in a decree putting Danton "off-the-law", which puts to death before the end of the debate.

Accused of crimes against Revolutionaries are deprived of defenders.

Act of 10 June 1794 (22 Prairial):

1. deletion of the interrogation of the accused,
2. abolition of any form of defense
3. the only sentence is death,
4. under Article 8, in the absence of physical evidence, jurors may convict on mere 'moral proof' (print ...)

The court will sentence him to death on suspicion systematically very slight or even assumptions deemed very light, all those that seem hostile to the Revolution. From June to July 1794 (fall of Robespierre), there are 50 death sentences per day, resulting in fatigue even among supporters of the Terror and a diversion of the citizens.

The Revolutionary Court sentenced 1,400 people.

The Military Commissions of the Armed

Their function is to judge and condemn the French caught in the enemy ranks. The powers of these committees will be expanded to all the French who took up arms against the revolutionary government.

The crimes by the revolutionary legislature

Political crimes are defined very broadly.

The political crimes in the strict sense

These are all forms of subversion, political protest, such as wearing the white cockade.

The crimes of emigration

Many French people have sought refuge abroad (priests, nobles, former officials of the monarchy). The status of migrants is codified. Revolution Jacobin treated as collectively guilty of treason. A migrant who is French left France from ¹ July 1789. Under the law retroactive, 28 March 1793 , it is all the French who had settled in a part of the national territory occupied by enemy forces as well as any French away from home and without any proof of permanent residence in France for 9 May 1792. Are complicit in this crime who are deemed to encourage emigration by "help".

Every emigrant is punished by banishment. All his property was confiscated. If this individual returned to France and he is caught, he is punished by death upon finding its identity.

The refractory priests

Since 12 July 1790 , all ecclesiastics of France had sworn loyalty to the Civil Constitution of clergy.

The clergy is divided between rebellious clergy (refractory: those who remain loyal to the papacy) and the clergy swearer (constitutional).

In 1792 , refractories are banished from France. Those who are caught in the national territory will be punished by death upon finding their identity.

Other offenses

Are punished with death upon a finding of identity:

1. Any person involved in an armed uprising against the Republic.
2. Anyone who has accepted public service in the territories occupied by the enemy.
3. All public officials who have continued to occupy that position in the territories occupied by the enemy.
4. All individuals who participated in riots or revolts against-revolutionary operations in army recruitment.
5. Economic legislation, especially concerning the supply and fixing the maximum price (law of 26 July 1793 defines the crime of monopolization). Are punished with death all those who hold staples and who does not sell Procurement daily (fight against speculation).
6. From August 1792 , the authorities will increase the preventive arrest on information or social criterion: all those arrested without one has concrete evidence to bring them to court (former nobles, former officials of the monarchy, clergy including jurors, individuals 'rich' - tris between "maxi suspect" and "mini suspect")

The institutions founded by the Convention

The Convention is based institutions now famous:

• L' cole polytechnique
• Le Conservatoire national des arts et mtiers
• L' cole normale suprieure
• Le systme mtrique
• Le Conservatoire de musique
• Le Musum d'histoire naturelle
• L' cole spciale des Langues orientales (30 mars 1795)

La Convention nationale a supprim toutes les universits le 15 septembre 1793. Elle groupa sous le nom d' Institut les anciennes Acadmies (qu'elle avait pralablement dissoutes au cours de l't 1793 sous l'influence de Marat , qui les accusait d'tre des repaires d'aristocrates) et celles qu'elle fonda elle-mme.

Le bilan de cette priode

Environ 40 000 personnes ont t guillotines, pour un total de 200 000 personnes environ tues, et 500 000 emprisonnes.

Bibliography

• Roger Dupuy, , Paris, Seuil, 2005 ( ISBN 2020398184 )
• Sous la direction de Jean-Luc Parodi , , la documentation franaise, 2003
• Michel Biard , , Paris A9_des_travaux_historiques_et_scientifiques% "title =" Committee of historical and scientific work "> CTHS Publishing, 2002.

References

See also

• Category: Deputy of the National Convention
• Category: Conventional regicide
• Ministers of the Convention
• Conspiracy Charenton
• Jean-Baptiste Bouchotte
• Mountain
• Gironde
• Marais
• Rabid
• Indulgent
• List of members of the National Convention by department
• List of Presidents of the National Convention
• Gustave Dechzeaux
• French Revolution
• Terror (French Revolution)

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