The new republic and its problems and policies

Question 1

when was france declared a republic

Answer 1

• 22 september 1792
• deputies of the new national convention declared france a republic
• 22 sept 1972 established a new calendar system
• Louis is no longer king so disagreements with what to do with him

Question 2

shared beliefs

Answer 2

• Supported the republican government
• Supported the war and determined to get french victory
• Believed in the need for further enlightenment reforms to improve government, the economy and society

Question 3

disagreements (Jacobins)

Answer 3

• had a strong support base in paris,
• believed increased central control over government would be beneficial,
• favoured by the sans culottes and ready to respond to their demands, - believe in a radical militant approach to bring about change
• wanted to see louis put on trial and execute

Question 4

disagreements (Girondins)

Answer 4

• support base was in the provinces
• believed decentralisation was the way forward
• suspicious of the san culottes and feared their activism
• believed in a more moderate measured approach to bring about change
• hesitant about action against the king
• Most of the plains were more inclined towards the girondins

Question 5

constitutional committee

Answer 5

• A constitutional committee was set up with sieyes danton and others in order to draw up proposals for new constitutions to replace the 1791 one
• Constant arguments between the jacobins and girondins made it difficult to achieve any agreements

Question 6

developments in war

Answer 6

• 6th november 1792 austrians defeated by girondin general dumouriez at the battle of jemappes
• the french were able to occupy the austrian netherlands
• This victory vindicated the girondins commitment to war and belief in spreading the revolution through war

Question 7

first coalition

Answer 7

• 1793
• Austria, prussia, britain, spain, the dutch republic

Question 8

impact of war and its failings

Answer 8

• Repercussions of war were felt within france
• Growing inflation which increased the restlessness of the sans culottes
• Outbreak of the chouan rebellion in west france
• Jacobin exploited these problems to argue for policy of greater central control
• 19th november convention issued the edict of fraternity promising ‘fraternity and assistance to all people who wish to recover their liberty’

Question 9

Economic problems

Answer 9

• inflation
• food shortages
• fueled unrest within the sans culottes
• reliance on the assignats caused a depreciation in its value due to inflation

Question 10

levee on mass

Answer 10

• August 1793
• first instance of mass conscription in history
• created a citizen army

Question 11

the law of maximum

Answer 11

• price control
• response to pressure from the sans culottes

Question 12

revolutionary tribunal