French Revolution - Radical Stage
French Revolution - Radical StageBy the end of 1971, Europe was preparing to witness the end of a
seemingly triumphant revolution in France. The country was
restructuring its government in a forceful and bloodless manner, while
the tyrant King Louis the XVI agreed to the demands of the masses
(albeit without much choice). However, due to the fanatical
aspirations of men such as Danton, Marat and Robespierre,it would be
only a matter of months before the moderate stage of social and
political reform was transformed into a radical phase of barbaric and
violent force. In their quest for freedom, equality and fraternity,
the leaders of the Jacobins inadvertently turned the revolution into
an oligarchic dictatorship that threatened to destroy all that was
achieved in the previous two years of insurrection.
The revolution took a sharp turn on August 9th, 1792. The
Municipal government was overthrown in Paris and a Commune was
established by the leaders of the radical forces. During this time
there were continual food riots erupting in every area of the country
and, with the threat of war against Austria and Prussia looming, it
was vital that order was to be maintained during such tumultuous
times. Although the constitution was already enshrined and the
citizens had their freedom and liberties, there was still plenty of
public dissent and disapproval as to whether or not these laws would
help create a new government and prevent the country from breaking
apart. The people had come this far and were not prepared to watch
their efforts lead to failure or the restoration of an absolute
monarch. As a result, the radical forces were able to gain the support
of the citizens in declaring that the constitution of 1791 was
ineffective and useless since it did not suit the needs of ALL the
population of France. Moderate forces preferred to concentrate on the
foreign affairs of "new" France, but the radicals insisted on domestic
stability first. Led by the popular Danton and the merciless Marat,
the Paris Commune discarded the old constitution and called for a
National Convention to begin work on a new, revised version.
The National Convention, divided by the moderate Girondins and
the radical Jacobins, was the place where the future of the country
was to be eventually determined. It was the premise of the Jacobins
that they should eradicate the "enemy within" and secure the destiny
of the revolution through the destruction of counter-revolutionary
forces. They believed that by weeding out those who opposed the
revolution, they could achieve their goals quickly and efficiently.
The Girondins were not so quick to agree with the Jacobins, and so
political deadlock begin to form in the Convention. It was not until
after the September massacres, when 1200 prisoners were executed
without trials, that Robespierre and his followers were able to
justify their premise. They condemned the actions of the unruly mobs
that caused the deaths...
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