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National Convention, The Jacobins and The Girondists
National Convention, Emperor Louis XVI, The Jacobins, and The Girondists
The newly elected National Convention started its work on September 21, 1792. The convention declared the abolition of the monarchy and declared France a Republic on September 22, 1792.
Emperor Louis XVI was tried for treason on January 21, 1793, he was executed publicly at the place de la Concorde. Soon after, this queen Marie Antoinette was also executed.
The Jacobins and the Girondists
The administration in France remained in the hands of the National Convention during the period Oct. 1792-Oct. 1793.
It was an elected body. However, it was dominated by two groups or parties, the Girondists and the Jacobins. Both the parties were Republicans.
The Jacobins derived their name from the former convent of St. Jacob in Paris. They included in particular, small shopkeepers, artisans like shoe-makers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers as well as servants and daily wage workers.
Thus, they belonged mainly to the less prosperous section of society. Robespierre was their leader. The Jacobins in order to differentiate themselves from the fashionable sections of the society, especially nobles, started wearing long striped trousers like that of the dock workers.
They also were a red cap that symbolized liberty. Their only objective e was to save France and they were ready to adopt any means to further their end.
