CAMBRIDGE AS HISTORY: FRANCE REVOLUTION MODULE. THE INSTABILITY OF FRENCH GOVERNMENT 1791-1799. Contains: revolutionary wars, new ruling bodies, Girondins and Jacobins, the reign of terror, the fall of Robespierre, the directory.

1. CAMBRIDGEAS
HISTORYREVISION
FRANCE17891917
1.2 THEINSTABILITYOFFRENCH
GOVERNMENT17911799

3. REVOLUTIONARY WARS
Economic problems: France still in debt; inefficient tax collection;
peasants and working class suffered.
Divisions among revolutionaries: radicals wanted complete state
control over property; moderates objected to seizure of property.
Threats from abroad: foreign monarchies alarmed by events in France;
Austria, Prussia, Britain and Holland threatened to invade France to
restore Louis XVI; France at war with Austria and Prussia.

4. Return of the Royal Family to Paris following the failed attempt to flee, June 1791

5. NEW RULING BODIES
Legislative Assembly: replaced National Assembly in 1791.
The Convention: replaced the Legislative Assembly a few months later.

7. GIRONDINS AND JACOBINS
Girondins: originally from south of France; encouraged negotiation
with Louis XVI (not popular with other revolutionaries).
Jacobins: Paris-based extreme radicals; controlled the Convention; led
by Maximilien Robespierre.

9. THE REIGN OF TERROR
Committee of Public Safety: supervised military and legal affairs.
Revolutionary Tribunal: put on trial anyone suspected of being an enemy
of the revolution.
Republic established September 1792: monarchy abolished; king put on
trial and executed.
Robespierre: attacked the power of the Church; used extreme measures
against opponents.
The Law of Suspects: people could be arrested merely on suspicion rather
than evidence; an estimated 40,000 killed.

11. THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE
Opposition to Robespierre: many groups were angered by Reign of Terror
and Robespierre’s dictatorial rule.
Thermidorian Reaction: Robespierre arrested and executed 1794.

13. THE DIRECTORY
New constitution August 1795: Directory established with two councils;
representation was from the middle class.
Problems facing the Directory: France’s financial debts; wars against
foreign monarchies; internal divisions; riots due to food shortages;
Directory only survived because it controlled the army.
Jacobin opposition: Jacobins felt Directory had betrayed the revolution;
1796 – Babeuf Plot failed.
Collapse of the Directory 1799: weakened by internal divisions;
November 1799 Napoleon led a coup and overthrew Directory;
Consulate established, with Napoleon the chief of three consuls.