Proclamation of the abolition of the monarchy
Encyclopedia
During the French Revolution
, the proclamation of the abolition of the monarchy was a proclamation by the National Convention
of France announcing that it had abolished the French monarchy on 21 September 1792.
of Louis XVI (June 1791) and the bloody capture of the Tuileries (10 August 1792). Their middle class origin and their political activity meant that most of them bore no sympathy for the monarchy and the victory at the battle of Valmy
on 20 September (the revolution's first military success) occurred on the same day as their meeting, thus confirming their convictions.
, proposed abolition he met with little resistance – at most Claude Basire
, friend of Georges Jacques Danton, tried to temper the enthusiasm, recommending a discussion before any decision. However, abbé Henri Grégoire
, constitutional bishop
of Blois
, replied strongly to any suggestion of discussion:
Jean-François Ducos
supported him in affirming that any discussion would be useless "after the lights spread by 10 August". This summary argument served as a debate and the decision taken was unanimous, giving birth to the First French Republic. Surprised by its own daring and needing to convince itself this was the right decision, the Convention decided to date all official acts not from 1789 (i.e. making 1792 "year 4 of liberty") but from the pronouncement (making the year after it "year 1 of the Republic").
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
, the proclamation of the abolition of the monarchy was a proclamation by the National Convention
National Convention
During the French Revolution, the National Convention or Convention, in France, comprised the constitutional and legislative assembly which sat from 20 September 1792 to 26 October 1795 . It held executive power in France during the first years of the French First Republic...
of France announcing that it had abolished the French monarchy on 21 September 1792.
Prelude
The Convention's députés were instructed to put an end to the crisis that had broken out since the prevented flight to VarennesFlight to Varennes
The Flight to Varennes was a significant episode in the French Revolution during which King Louis XVI of France, his wife Marie Antoinette, and their immediate family attempted unsuccessfully to escape from Paris in order to initiate a counter-revolution...
of Louis XVI (June 1791) and the bloody capture of the Tuileries (10 August 1792). Their middle class origin and their political activity meant that most of them bore no sympathy for the monarchy and the victory at the battle of Valmy
Battle of Valmy
The Battle of Valmy was the first major victory by the army of France during the French Revolution. The action took place on 20 September 1792 as Prussian troops commanded by the Duke of Brunswick attempted to march on Paris...
on 20 September (the revolution's first military success) occurred on the same day as their meeting, thus confirming their convictions.
Proposition for abolition
When the député for Paris, Jean-Marie Collot d'HerboisJean-Marie Collot d'Herbois
Jean-Marie Collot d'Herbois was a French actor, dramatist, essayist, and revolutionary. He was a member of the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror and, while he saved Madame Tussaud from the Guillotine, he administered the execution of more than 2,000 people in the city of...
, proposed abolition he met with little resistance – at most Claude Basire
Claude Basire
Claude Basire was a French politician of the Revolutionary period.-Biography:Born in Dijon, he became a deputy for the Côte-d'Or in the Legislative Assembly, he made himself prominent by denouncing the Bourbon and the Tuileries Palace's comité autrichien...
, friend of Georges Jacques Danton, tried to temper the enthusiasm, recommending a discussion before any decision. However, abbé Henri Grégoire
Henri Grégoire
Henri Grégoire , often referred to as Abbé Grégoire, was a French Roman Catholic priest, constitutional bishop of Blois and a revolutionary leader...
, constitutional bishop
Constitutional bishop
During the French Revolution, a constitutional bishop was a Roman Catholic bishop elected from among the clergy who had sworn to uphold the Civil Constitution of the Clergy between 1791 and 1801. Constitutional bishops were often priests with less or more moderate Gallican and partisan ideas, of a...
of Blois
Blois
Blois is the capital of Loir-et-Cher department in central France, situated on the banks of the lower river Loire between Orléans and Tours.-History:...
, replied strongly to any suggestion of discussion:
Jean-François Ducos
Jean-François Ducos
Jean-François Ducos was a French député for the Gironde to the Legislative Assembly then the National Convention.-Life:...
supported him in affirming that any discussion would be useless "after the lights spread by 10 August". This summary argument served as a debate and the decision taken was unanimous, giving birth to the First French Republic. Surprised by its own daring and needing to convince itself this was the right decision, the Convention decided to date all official acts not from 1789 (i.e. making 1792 "year 4 of liberty") but from the pronouncement (making the year after it "year 1 of the Republic").