French First Republic
Mobs of Parisians broke into the city's prisons during the first week of September 1792. They killed over half of the prisoners, including nobles and clergymen. Common criminals like prostitutes and petty thieves also died in their cells. Many victims were raped, stabbed, or slashed to death before they could be moved. This violence became known as the September Massacres. The insurrection of the 10th of August 1792 had already seen citizens storm the Tuileries Palace. Six hundred of the King's Swiss guards were killed that day. A renewed fear of counterrevolutionary action prompted further bloodshed.
Deputies of the Convention gathered for the first time on the 21st of September 1792. They unanimously decided the abolition of the constitutional monarchy in France. The decision was made to date all acts from the year I of the Republic. On the 25th of September 1792, the Republic was declared one and indivisible. Louis XVI, now a private citizen bearing his family name of Capet, faced trial for high treason starting in December 1792. He was convicted on the 16th of January 1793 and executed on the 21st of January. The new Convention did little to remedy food shortages until late spring of 1793. Paris suffered from mass hunger throughout the winter of 1792 and spring of 1793.
On the 6th of April 1793, the Convention created the Committee of Public Safety. This body received a monumental task to deal with radical movements and food shortages. It also had to handle the revolt in the Vendée and recent defeats of its armies. Most notably, the Committee instated a policy of terror. Perceived enemies of the republic began to be executed by guillotine at an ever-increasing rate. This period is known today as the Reign of Terror. Rights guaranteed by the Declaration of the Rights of Man were suspended under its control. The constitution of the republic did not provide for a formal head of state or government.
Robespierre was arrested and executed on the 28th of July 1794. A year later, the National Convention adopted the Constitution of the Year III. On the 3rd of November 1795, the Directory was established. France was led by a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Council of Elders and the Council of Five Hundred. A collective Executive of five members called the Directory governed the nation. Internal instability caused by hyperinflation of paper monies known as Assignats plagued the system. French military disasters in 1798 and 1799 contributed to the collapse. The Directory lasted only four years before being overthrown in 1799.
The coup of 18 Brumaire occurred on the 9th of November 1799. Members of the Directory itself planned this event, indicating clearly the failing power of that regime. Napoleon Bonaparte was a co-conspirator who became head of the government as First Consul. Four assemblies were established alongside his powerful executive authority. The Council of State prepared draft laws under Article 52 of the Constitution of Year VIII. The Tribunate assumed some functions of the Council of Five Hundred with one hundred deputies initially. The Legislative Body served as successor to the Council of Ancients with three hundred individuals voting without debate.
On the 18th of May 1804, Napoleon was proclaimed Emperor of the French. He would later proclaim himself Emperor of the French, ending the First French Republic. This declaration ushered in the First French Empire. The Conservative Senate comprised sixty irremovable members appointed by Bonaparte. At least forty years of age was required for these senators. They elected judges and accounting commissioners while preserving the Constitution. The power of this assembly expanded progressively to include drafting legislative texts known as sénatus-consultes. The form of government changed several times from 1792 until 1804 when the empire began.
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Common questions
What happened during the September Massacres in 1792?
Mobs of Parisians killed over half of the prisoners including nobles and clergymen during the first week of September 1792. This violence became known as the September Massacres after common criminals like prostitutes and petty thieves also died in their cells.
When was the French First Republic officially declared one and indivisible?
The Republic was declared one and indivisible on the 25th of September 1792 by deputies of the Convention who gathered for the first time on the 21st of September 1792. They unanimously decided to abolish the constitutional monarchy in France and date all acts from the year I of the Republic.
Who created the Committee of Public Safety and when did it begin operations?
The Convention created the Committee of Public Safety on the 6th of April 1793 to deal with radical movements and food shortages. This body instated a policy of terror where perceived enemies of the republic began to be executed by guillotine at an ever-increasing rate.
How long did the Directory government last before being overthrown in 1799?
The Directory lasted only four years before being overthrown in 1799 after internal instability caused by hyperinflation of paper monies known as Assignats plagued the system. The regime collapsed following French military disasters in 1798 and 1799 which contributed to its downfall.
What event marked the end of the First French Republic and establishment of the Empire?
Napoleon was proclaimed Emperor of the French on the 18th of May 1804 ending the First French Republic. This declaration ushered in the First French Empire while the Conservative Senate comprised sixty irremovable members appointed by Bonaparte.