THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

UNIT 3 AREA OF STUDY 2: CREATING A NEW SOCIETY

The fate of Louis XVI: ‘Louis the Last’

• Explain why Louis XVI was trialed for treason

• Explain the different perspectives held by members of the National Convention toward the execution of Louis XVI

• Describe how the execution of Louis caused further divisions in the National Convention

• Understand the consequences of the Louis XVI’s execution in regard to other European countries

LEARNING INTENTION: Explain the trial and execution of the

Louis XVI

The fate of Louis XVI: The trial of the King

• November 1792: Evidence of Louis XVI’s correspondence with Austria found in a metal cabinet (the Iron Chest) in the Tuileries, forms basis for trial and Louis immediately found guilty of being a traitor

• Girondins recommend a referendum to decide fate of the King, hoping a decision is made for him to abdicate or that he be sent to America

• Jacobins and Cordeliers insist he be executed• All of Europe watched on !

The fate of Louis XVI: The trial of the King

• January 1793: Three questions are posed to the National Convention:

1. Is Louis Capet guilty of conspiracy against public liberty and of attacks on the general security of the state?

2. Will the judgement of the National Convention be submitted for public ratification?

3. What penalty should be inflicted?

January 15: Deputies vote unanimously that he was

Majority of deputies voted ‘no’

Debate lasting 24 hours. Voting for death penalty was regicide

387 voted for execution334 voted against it

Created further division among Girondons and Montagnards

The fate of Louis XVI: The execution of the King

• 21 January 1793: Louis XVI is beheaded• 23 January 1793: The National Convention issue the

following proclamation: Citizens, the tyrant is no more. For a long time the cries of victims, whom war

and public dissension have spread over France and Europe, loudly protested his existence. He has paid his penalty and only acclamations for the Republic and for liberty have been heard from the people

• Execution outrages European Monarchies, who are already angered over Danton’s declaration of France’s intentions to expand its boarders and spread Revolution throughout Europe

HISTORIANS OPINIONS: THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI –

SIMON SCHAMA

‘It was the citizen who had become the heroic immortal; it was the death of the King that was made to kill Kingship. The intention was to obliterate the remains of Louis Capet so thoroughly that nothing at all would survive except mortal dirt’ (p.563).

HISTORIANS OPINIONS: THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI –

JEREMY POPKIN

‘The fall of the guillotine’s blade underscored the radical turn that the revolution had taken on 10 August 1792: the Convention had irreversibly ruled out any compromise with the Revolution’s opponents.’

HISTORIANS OPINIONS: THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI –

J.F BOSHER

‘Louis XVI was generally a well-beloved monarch... He was everywhere respected when travelling... in June 1786... And the cahiers de doleances showed little hatred of the King.... The republican views expressed at the trial and execution of the King had developed during the revolutionary years, not earlier. Republicanism in France was a result of the Revolution, not the cause of it’ (p.61)

• Why was Louis XVI was trialed for treason?• What different perspectives were held by

members of the National Convention toward the execution of Louis XVI ?

• How did the execution of Louis cause further divisions in the National Convention?

• What consequences did Louis XVI’s execution have in regard to other European countries?

LEARNING INTENTION: Explain the trial and execution of the Louis XVI