Following an insurrection by the Paris Commune on August 10, 1792, the Legislative Assembly suspended the powers of King Louis XVI and called for a new National Convention to draw up a new constitution. An election was held for all Frenchmen of 25 years or older by universal male suffrage. The National Convention was first brought into session on September 20, 1792. The first order of the body was to abolish the monarchy. It also established September 22 as the first day of the French Republic.
During the entire time period of the National Convention, the country was at war with powers abroad. This led to the popular opinion within the body to postpone the implementation of a new constitution until peace was established. It also expanded its powers in an effort to combat nationwide problems the threatened the continued revolution.
Legislative and Executive Power
Although established as a legislative council, the National Convention soon seized executive power with the founding of the Committee of Public Safety. It saw itself as the only government during the remainder of the revolution.
During the first years of the Convention, the Girondists political party maintained much of the control, however, the Jacobins and Cordeliers soon overtook it. Soon, the Jacobin Club consolidated its power and Maximilien Robespierre became the de facto leader of the nation. He consolidated his power within the Committee of Public Safety and began the period of time known as the Reign of Terror. Using the guillotine, thousands of French citizens were executed as threats to the revolution. This period ended with the Thermidorian Reaction, which culminated in the destruction of the Jacobin Club and the execution of Robespierre.
Accomplishments of the National Convention
The National Convention first met in the Tuileries, a former royal palace. It then moved to Salle du Manege, an indoor riding academy. Finally, after May 10, 1793, the Convention moved to the Spectacles, also known as the Machine. It was a large hall which scattered the deputies between their various committees and allowed the public to influence debate almost like modern lobbyists in the U.S.
The majority of the Convention was comprised of lawyers. A number of the 749 deputies had previously served in government. 75 of them were in the National Constituent Assembly, while 183 were from the Legislative Assembly. Between the era of 1792 and 1795, much of the Convention was either exiled or killed during the Reign of Terror and after the coup of the Thermidorian Reaction.
Despite the chaos brought on by the Reign of Terror and lack of separation of powers, the Convention was responsible for a number of advancements in the French Revolution. It saved the country from both invading forces and civil war. It also abolished slavery across the entire French colonial empire.
Sources:
Simon Schama, Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution (Vintage Books, 1990)
Peter McPhee, The French Revolution 1789-1799 (Oxford University Press, 2002)
David Andress, French Society in Revolution 1789-1799 (Manchester University Press, 1999)
Hugh Gough, The Terror in the French Revolution (Palgrave Macmillan, 1998)
Jason Chavis - Jason lives and works out of Minneapolis. He is the author of four books, two movies and a play as well as numerous articles for a variety ...
Join the Conversation