The trial and execution of The trial and execution of Louis XVILouis XVI

Part of a broader political Part of a broader political strugglestruggle• Struggle between Jacobins/Montagnards and Struggle between Jacobins/Montagnards and

Girondins in the new (21 September 1792) Girondins in the new (21 September 1792) National Convention (elected on full franchise National Convention (elected on full franchise after the king is deposed on 10 August 1792, thus after the king is deposed on 10 August 1792, thus rendering the constitution of 1791 unworkable – rendering the constitution of 1791 unworkable – whywhy?)?)

• Jacobins/Montagnards – more radical, have the Jacobins/Montagnards – more radical, have the support of the support of the Sans CulottesSans Culottes – want king tried and – want king tried and executedexecuted

• Girondins – at this stage, in power – radical Girondins – at this stage, in power – radical (agitated for war), but appear moderate next to (agitated for war), but appear moderate next to the Jacobins – resist this movethe Jacobins – resist this move

The trialThe trial

• December 1792 – Louis XVI (now ‘Citizen Louis December 1792 – Louis XVI (now ‘Citizen Louis Capet’) charged with treason. Convicted 26 Capet’) charged with treason. Convicted 26 December 1792December 1792

• Question of what to do with himQuestion of what to do with him– Girondins – want national referendum on his fate – some Girondins – want national referendum on his fate – some

suggest exilesuggest exile– Jacobins and Cordeliers want immediate executionJacobins and Cordeliers want immediate execution

• 14 January 1793 – narrowly passes decree to 14 January 1793 – narrowly passes decree to execute (387 to 334)execute (387 to 334)

• Executed 21 January 1793 – guillotine blade fails Executed 21 January 1793 – guillotine blade fails to cut head off the first time, has to be reset and to cut head off the first time, has to be reset and dropped again!dropped again!

Why was he executed?Why was he executed?

• San-Just – a leading Jacobin:San-Just – a leading Jacobin: ‘…he was ‘…he was executed not for what he had done but for executed not for what he had done but for what he was: a menace to the Republic’.what he was: a menace to the Republic’.

• OR executed because his actions were OR executed because his actions were treasonous? (eg. the Iron Chest, found treasonous? (eg. the Iron Chest, found after the attack on the Tuileries Palace, after the attack on the Tuileries Palace, which contained counter-revolutionary which contained counter-revolutionary documents/correspondence with Austria)documents/correspondence with Austria)

One significant outcome:One significant outcome:

• (aside from regicide and providing the trigger for (aside from regicide and providing the trigger for an escalation of the international war raging at an escalation of the international war raging at the time) the time)

• Jacobins/Montagnards gain the ascendancy in Jacobins/Montagnards gain the ascendancy in the Convention.the Convention.

• They manage to brand their Girondin opponents They manage to brand their Girondin opponents as royalists and counter-revolutionaries (even as royalists and counter-revolutionaries (even though inaccurate and unfair). though inaccurate and unfair).

• Girondins are alienated from the people of ParisGirondins are alienated from the people of Paris• Propaganda victory that assists the Propaganda victory that assists the

Jacobin/Montagnard ascension to power.Jacobin/Montagnard ascension to power.