Overview
This lecture covers the shift from the liberal phase of the French Revolution (1789–1791) to the more radical phase (1792–1793), including key events, changing goals, political factions, and the execution of Louis XVI.
Liberal Phase Recap
- Dominant class: bourgeoisie; main goals: constitutional monarchy, liberal reforms, and abolition of privilege.
- Influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu.
- Governing bodies: National Assembly and Legislative Assembly.
Move to Radical Phase
- Radical phase characterized by egalitarianism, nationalism, and social welfare (e.g., cheap bread).
- Influenced by Rousseau, especially his concept of the "general will."
- Governing bodies: National Convention and Committee on Public Safety.
- Key radical groups: Jacobins (especially "The Mountain") and Sans-culottes (urban working class).
Key Events Leading to Radicalization (1791–1792)
- 1791 Chapelier Law banned guilds, labor unions, and strikes to curb mass influence (last classical liberal measure).
- King Louis XVI’s failed "Flight to Varennes" (June 1791) undermined faith in monarchy.
- Declaration of Pillnitz (August 1791): Austria and Prussia threatened war if harm came to Louis XVI.
- Monarchy shifted to "King of the French" (not King of France), signifying loss of divine right.
- Legislative Assembly elected by universal manhood suffrage; former National Assembly members ineligible.
Rise of New Political Actors
- Jacobin clubs: radical republican groups, divided into the more extreme Mountain and moderate Girondins.
- Sans-culottes: urban working class, key force in pushing revolution leftward.
- Emergence of "left-wing" (radicals) and "right-wing" (monarchists) political spectrum.
French Revolutionary Wars & Internal Crisis
- Revolutionary Wars began in 1792, with France facing multiple external enemies.
- Coalition armies (Prussian model): small, professional, disciplined; French armies: large, patriotic, mixed conscripts/volunteers.
- September Massacres (1792): mass execution of political prisoners to prevent counterrevolution.
- Proclamation of the French Republic (Sept 22, 1792); monarchy abolished.
Trial and Execution of Louis XVI
- National Convention, dominated by radical Jacobin factions, tried and executed Louis XVI for treason (January 1793).
- Guillotine became standard execution method, symbolizing equality in death.
Symbols and Ideals of the French Republic
- Republican symbols: liberty cap, tricolor flag, cockade, Roman-inspired imagery.
- Motto: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity (sometimes "or death" during the radical phase).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bourgeoisie — Middle class leading early liberal phase.
- Jacobins — Radical republican political clubs, split into Mountain (extreme) and Girondins (moderate).
- Sans-culottes — Urban working class ("without knee breeches"), radicalized the revolution.
- Guillotine — Execution device promoting "equal" death.
- General will — Rousseau’s idea of collective sovereignty guiding radical policies.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Prepare for next lecture on the Reign of Terror.
- Review class notes on differences between liberal and radical phases.
- Study key events (Flight to Varennes, September Massacres, Louis XVI’s trial).