1.3. France Abolishes Monarchy and Becomes a Republic

The situation in France continued to be tense during the following years. Although Louis XVI had signed the Constitution, he entered into secret negotiations with the King of Prussia.

After signing the Constitution, King Louis XVI did not follow it faithfully. Instead, he secretly negotiated with foreign monarchs, especially the King of Prussia. This act was considered treasonous because it undermined the new government formed by the Revolution. The secretive actions of the king created fear and distrust among the people of France who had fought hard for their freedom and new rights.

Imagine a team captain who agrees to follow the team's new rules but secretly meets with the rival team to betray their strategies. The team members would feel betrayed and worried about their chances of winning, just as the people of France did when they learned of Louis XVI's secret dealings.

Before this could happen, the National Assembly voted in April 1792 to declare war against Prussia and Austria.

In response to the king's secret negotiations and the threats posed by neighboring monarchies, the National Assembly decided it was necessary to declare war against Prussia and Austria. They viewed this as a defensive move to protect revolutionary ideals and prevent foreign intervention in France's affairs. This marked the beginning of the Revolutionary Wars.

This is similar to a neighborhood that faces an aggressive outsider wanting to intervene in their community decisions. They decide to band together (declare war) to protect their autonomy and not allow the outsider to dictate their rules.

Thousands of volunteers thronged from the provinces to join the army. They saw this as a war of the people against kings and aristocracies all over Europe.

Many French citizens, motivated by a sense of nationalism and the idea of fighting for their rights and freedom, volunteered to join the army. They felt this was not just a war against Prussia and Austria but a broader struggle against monarchies and aristocratic privileges across Europe. Their collective spirit was a defining characteristic of this revolutionary period.

Think about a group of students who learn about a nearby school trying to impose unfair rules. They rally together to protest not just for their rights but as a statement against unfair treatment everywhere – they are fighting for a common cause that resonates with them.

The most successful of these clubs was that of the Jacobins, which got its name from the former convent of St Jacob in Paris.

The Jacobins became the most influential political club during the Revolution. Members of the Jacobin club were often from the working class and were advocates for radical changes. They pushed for stronger measures in the revolutionary government and had a significant impact on the evolution of revolutionary policies and actions.

You can think of the Jacobins as a student council that pushes for serious changes in school, representing the voices of students who believe that current rules are unfair and need to change to reflect the needs of the entire student body.

A large group among the Jacobins decided to start wearing long striped trousers similar to those worn by dock workers. This was to set themselves apart from the fashionable sections of society, especially nobles, who wore knee breeches.

The Jacobins identified with the working class through their choice of clothing. By wearing long trousers instead of knee breeches (which were associated with the aristocracy), they symbolically rejected the old social order and aligned themselves with the common people or 'sans-culottes', literally 'those without knee breeches.' This was a significant social statement during the revolution.

It’s similar to how some people wear casual clothes during a protest to show they're standing with the working class and against elitism, making a clear statement about their beliefs through their attire.

In the summer of 1792 the Jacobins planned an insurrection of a large number of Parisians who were angered by the short supplies and high prices of food.

Angered by worsening economic conditions including food shortages and rising prices, the Jacobins incited an uprising. On August 10, 1792, they stormed the royal palace, marking a decisive moment in the Revolution. This action resulted in the king being imprisoned and led to significant political changes, including universal suffrage for men over 21.

Imagine a city facing a severe economic crisis where residents decide to protest their government’s incompetence. This extreme situation could lead to direct action against authorities, similar to what the Jacobins did during the Revolution when they took matters into their own hands.

On 21 September 1792 it abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic.

After the successful insurrection, the newly elected assembly known as the Convention made a monumental decision: they abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. This marked the end of hereditary rule in France and began a system where government officials were elected by the people.

You can compare this to a class voting to remove a teacher who they believe is unfair and deciding to elect a group of students to manage their class activities instead, thus establishing a system where they govern themselves.

Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the charge of treason. On 21 January 1793 he was executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde.

Following the abolition of the monarchy, Louis XVI was tried and found guilty of treason for his actions against the Revolution. His public execution signified the permanent break from the past and served as a warning to others who might betray the revolutionary ideals.

You can think of a leader who breaks the rules of a club and is eventually expelled or faced with serious consequences to show everyone that such actions will not be tolerated. In Louis's case, it was his life on the line.

--