What have we learned so far?
In Part 7 of this chapter, we have learned how ancient symbols(political symbols) like the broken chain, law tablet, and winged woman communicated important ideas. In Part 8 we will learn how King Louis XVI secretly planned with neighbouring countries to stop the revolution and how this led to the Execution of King Louis XVI and the end of the monarchy in France.
Secret Negotiations made by King Louis
- King Louis XVI agreed to follow the Laws of the constitution made by the National Assembly.
- People of nearby countries of France were aware this revolution took place in France
- Therefore the kings of these countries were worried that this revolution would encourage their citizens to revolt against them and make them lose their throne.
- King Louis XVI made a secret plan with nearby countries like Prussia and Austria.
- Prussia and Austria wanted to send their soldiers to France to stop French revolutionaries from abolishing the Monarchy and to form a democratic country.
- But before they sent their soldiers to France, French Revolutionaries forced Louis XVI to declare war on Prussia and Austria in April 1792.
How “Marseillaise”, the National Anthem of France?
- Many ordinary Citizens of France joined the war to show even they can protect their country.
- They started marching from Marseille City to the city of Paris.
- While marching, the French army along with ordinary citizens of France from Marseille city were singing a song called “Marseillaise” written by Roget De Li’lsle.
- This song is named after the city of Marseille. French citizens loved this song so much that they decided to make this song their official song(National Anthem) of France.
Why did French Citizens decide to fight against King Louis XVI?
- During the French Revolution
- French citizens lost their homes, property, and even their family members. They did not have money and Job to fulfil the necessities of life.
- Many men went to join the Army and participate in war so women had to take care of their home. They also had to do jobs to earn money.
- Many French citizens thought the French Revolution should continue because the new constitution made by the Third Estate’s wealthy and educated people in 1791 allowed only rich people to vote, choose a leader, Make new laws, and modify the old Laws.
Rise of Political Clubs in France
- Political clubs consisted of students and educated people from the middle class who were dissatisfied with the king’s reign. They talked about political ideas to make their country a better place. Some ideas include:
- who should make the rules?
- What Laws should be made?
- Where the Government should spend money?
Role of Jacobin’s Club
- One such group which became very popular was “The Jacobins Club”.
- It consists of men only.
- The Dominican Convent or Couvent des Jacobins (in French) is a place in Paris where monks lived and carried out their religious duties. It was here that the Jacobin club was formed and meetings took place in a large hall within the convent.
- The Jacobin Club derived its name from the Couvent des Jacobins
- Women made their special clubs.
- Many members of the Jacobin club were poor. It includes shopkeepers, bakers, watch repairers, printers, servants cobblers, and chefs who get daily low wages
- Leader of Jacobin Club was Maximilian Robespierre.
Uniform of Jacobin club members
- Rich people in French society used to wear short trousers called Knee Breeches.
- Knee breeches are very costly and are the fashion adopted by them.
- To show the Jacobin Club was connected to ordinary people and not to rich people, Members of the Jacobin Club(all genders) were given a Uniform.
- This uniform consisted of a shirt with special pants. The pants were special because they were long and had many lines, similar to 18th-century Docks (places where goods were taken out and placed inside the ship ) worker’s Uniform.
- Members of the Jacobin club who wore this uniform were called Sans Culottes.
- Sans Culottes means common people who wore special pants instead of short trousers.
- They wore this special uniform to make a clear statement to rich people “We do not want to live life like you and follow fashion”.
- Male members of the Jacobin club also wore Red and had.
- Red hat represent freedom.
- Red Hat states that everyone is free and can make their own decisions.
Why women were not allowed to wear Red Hats?
- Women members were not allowed to wear Red hats because French society did not have gender equality and women were expected only to take care of the family and were kept away from politics.
Jacobin club’s protest
- Between June to September 1792, citizens of Paris were unhappy as the price of bread increased. Therefore Jacobin club planned to protest.
- Jacobin club attacked the Palace of the Tuileries where French King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their family lived.
- They killed the soldiers and made the king a prisoner.
- The branch of the National Assembly known as the Legislative Assembly decided to keep the king and his family in prison.
Formation of the Convention and abolishing of Monarchy
- Additionally, the National Assembly conducted an election to choose a new group of leaders who were together called the Convention.
- On 12th September 1792, The convention decided to end the monarchy and made France A Republic country. Republic Country refers to a country where there is no monarchy and people choose their leaders(including the president) to make important decisions such as:
- Who should make the rules?
- What Laws should be made?
- Where the Government should spend money?
Execution of King Louis XVI
- The court considered Louis XVI guilty (did something wrong).
- Therefore court decided to kill Louis XVI as a punishment as he was disloyal to his own country by secretly asking for help from the neighbouring countries(Prussia and Austria) to stop the Revolution in France.
- On 21st January 1793 public gathered in a large open area located in the middle of the city “Place de la Concorde”, Louis XVI was killed using the Guillotine.
- After a short time, his wife Queen Marie Antoinette was also killed using the Guillotine.
- In this way Execution of King Louis XVI took place.
- A Guillotine is a machine consisting of 2 tall wooden sticks with a sharp blade. This machine is used to remove a person’s head.
- Dr Guillotin proposed the idea of using it for the execution of someone and so it was named after him.
- Learn more about the Guillotine by clicking here.
In summary
- In 1792, The people of France were unhappy due to the increase in the cost of Bread.
- Meanwhile, King Louis XVI made a secret plan with his neighbouring countries and wanted to send their soldiers to France to stop French revolutionaries from abolishing the Monarchy and to form a democratic country.
- Many citizens of France joined the Army and sang a song called “Marseillaise” which later became the National Anthem of France.
- Due to the French Revolution, many people lost their homes and Jobs.
- The constitution made my national assembly allow only the rich to vote.
- Out of many political groups formed in France, the Jacobin Club became famous. It was led by Maximilian Robespierre.
- In addition to this, this club member wore special clothing called Sans Culotees which consisted of long pants with lines on them.
- The high cost of bread made people angry.
- Therefore the Jacobin club took this as a chance to protest and attack the king’s palace.
- The legislative assembly made the king a prisoner.
- Additionally, the National Assembly conducted an election to choose a new group of leaders called the Convention.
- The convention also decided to end the monarchy and made France A Republic country, where people elect their leaders.
- The court considered Louis XVI guilty (did something wrong) and therefore decided to kill Louis XVI as a punishment as he was disloyal to his own country by secretly asking for help from the neighbouring countries(Prussia and Austria) to stop the Revolution in France.
- Louis XVI was killed using the Guillotine.
- In this way Execution of King Louis XVI took place.
