End of Absolutism

• Marie Antionette was tried by the revolutionary tribunal and was guillotined on the 16th of October 1793.
• Marie Antionette was the first victim of the show trials, violence in France has increased following the execution of the King in 1793.
• 1792 to 1794, there were 40,000 victims of the Terror.
• Fierce violence in the Vendee, over 7000 guillotines and many mock marriages occurring (able to get away with it due to distance from Paris).
• Policies given between 1789 and 1801 concordat formed the movement towards dechristianisation.
• Dechristianisation began with church closure under representants en missions. Religion of reason to be established, celebration of this in November 1793.
• Movement towards dechristianisation also relied on:

  • Reclaim of church land and money
  • Control and reduction of priests in 1790
  • Destruction of crosses and statues
• 1793 - Christian calendar replaced
• Law of Frimaire - December 1793
• What did the law of frimaire do?

  Gave the CPS direct power over ministers, generals, rep. en mission and local government.
• The Frimaire law caused a centralised government structure, the CPS were made supreme and hopes for a new egalitarian society grew.
• By 1793, the federalist revolt was under control, the war situation and economy were improving.
• The elimination of rival factions - June 1794

  • Including the Heberts and indulgents.
• Arrest of indulgents in 1794, leading figures such as Dalton were executed in April. Left the convention and CPS in a dangerous position, many 'plain' members favoured a reduction in terror.
• Fear of corruption voiced by Robespierre lead to March-June 1794 1000 guillotines.
• Cult of the supreme being - belief that dechristianisation campaign went too far.
• Law of 22 Prairial - 10th June 1794
• What did the law of 22 Prairial do?

  • Political prisoners to go before revolutionary tribunal
  • No witnesses or defence
  • Acquittal or death were the only verdicts
  • Replaced all previous legislation
  • Convention deputies no longer immune from prosecution
• The great terror - June/July 1794
• The "Great Terror" was a more class based phase of the terror, 40% of victims were bourgeoisie.
• Within the great terror, steps were taken to reduce rising wages and a minimum wage was set in July which infuriated workers.

  • Farmers planted less since Law of Maximum
  • Rise in price of bread, rising anger of Sans Culottes
  • ^ Context to final political struggle.