The Radical Takeover

HWH UNIT 4CHAPTER 6.3

The Main Characters

Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794) The mind behind

the radical phase Educated as a

lawyer Deeply influenced

by the Enlightenment Rousseau

Began as an idealistic member of the National Assembly

Jean-Paul Marat

(1743-1793) The main propagandist

of the Revolution Vehemently anti-

monarchy and anti-moderate

Published the newspaper L’Ami du Peuple

Murdered in his bathtub by Charlette Corday Became a martyr

Georges Danton

(1759-1794) Inspirational leader

of the Revolution Executed during the

Terror, which he helped create

Actions and attitudes of the king War Economic crisis Fear of counterrevolution Religious divisions Political divisions

Why “radical”?

The Storming of the Tuileries

(August 10, 1792)

After the Tuileries… The Paris

Commune is established

The Sans Culottes emerge

The September

Massacres

Constitution of 1791 is abolished

The National Convention replaces the Legislative Assembly Much more radical Two main factions

The Girondists “The Mountain”

Formally abolished the monarchy on September 22, 1792

Issued the Decree of Fraternity

A New French RepublicSeptember 20, 1792

French armies under General Dumouriez

defeat the Austrians and Prussians

September 20, 1792The Battle of Valmy

January 15, 1793Louis is Executed

Location of the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette (and

thousands of others), Place de la Revolution (now Place de la

Concorde), Paris

A Split Convention

Girondists Power base in the

provinces. Feared the influence

of the sans-culottes. Feared the

dominance of Paris in national politics.

Supported a federal government

“The Mountain” Power base in Paris Main support from the

sans-culottes Would adopt extreme

measures to achieve their goals

Saw Paris as the center of the Revolution

More centralized [in Paris] approach to government

February 1793Britain, Spain and the

Netherlands join the war

April, 1793

General Dumouriez defects

April, 1793The Committee on Public

Safety is Formed