CHANAKYA NATIONAL LAW

UNIVERSITY, Patna

ROUGH DRAFT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

OF THE COURSE TITLED LEGAL HISTORY ON THE
TOPIC: “WORKING OF THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
1792-1795”

SUBMITTED TO:

DR. PRIYA DARSHINI

PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

SUBMITTED BY:
Abhishek tiwari

ROLL NO- 2104

B. A. LLB 2ND SEMESTER

 1. INTRODUCTION
The National Convention occurred from September 1792 until October 1795, during some of
the most violent periods of the French Revolution.  It formed following the end of the
Legislative Assembly and would later be replaced by the Directory.  The National
Convention was extremely important to the events of the French Revolution. 

First, the convention was the first government in France based on universal male suffrage. 
All males 25 years and older were allowed to vote for representatives of the National
Convention, regardless of their class in society.

Second, the first major act of the convention was to abolish the absolute monarchy and to
transform France into a republic.  This action helped lead into the trial and execution of Louis
XVI, which was carried out by the National Convention.  While the early stages of the
revolution were carried out by the moderates in the National Assembly and the Legislative
Assembly, by 1792 it was firmly in the hands of the more radical National Convention.  On
December 11th, 1792, the king was brought before the convention to hear the charges against
him. He was charged with treason due to his attempt to flee the country earlier that year,
which was viewed as him abandoning his country.  Next, on January 15th, 1793, the
representatives voted and passed their verdict of guilty.  The famous revolutionary,
Maximilien Robespierre, commented that “Louis must die so the nation may live.”  Louis’
punishment was death and on, January 21st, 1793, he was beheaded by guillotine.

Finally, the National Convention oversaw the most violent period in the entire revolution
which was the Reign of Terror.  The Reign of Terror occurred from September of 1793 until
July of 1794, and was a time period of extreme violence and paranoia during the French
Revolution.  Following the execution of Louis XVI, the more radical revolutionaries, the
Jacobins, were concerned that foreign and domestic groups would threaten the continuing of
the revolution.  As such, the Jacobins worked to remove the more moderate Girondins from
positions of power within the revolution.  Next, the Jacobins began carrying out the Reign of
Terror against anyone who they thought would threaten the revolution.  The paranoia of the
Reign of Terror would cause the deaths of tens of thousands with most being beheaded by
guillotine.  It was at the beginning of the Reign of Terror that the queen, Marie Antoinette,
was executed.
The National Convention ended in October of 1795 following the execution of Maximilien
Robespierre and the excesses of the Reign of Terror.  The Directory formed out of and
replaced the National Convention.

I.1 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The researcher intends to find out:
i. What were the causes for the happening of the National Convention 1792-
1795?
ii. How the National Convention functioned.
iii. What was the impact of National Convention on legal history?

I.2 HYPOTHESIS: -
The researcher believes in the following hypothesis: -
The National Convention which was the first French assembly elected by a suffrage
without distinctions of class was an effective way of governance.

I.3 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

For the project research, the researcher will rely upon doctrinal method of research.

I.4 SOURCES OF DATA

The researcher will be relying on secondary sources to complete the project.
SECONDARY SOURCES- books, newspaper, websites.

I.5 LIMITATIONS
The researcher has time as well as territorial limitations in completing the project.

I.6 MODE OF CITATION

The researcher will follow BLUE BOOK (20TH EDITION) for completing the
project.
TENTATIVE CHAPTERISATION

1. Introduction
2. Historical background and causes
3. Working of The National Convention (1792-1795)
4. Reign of Terror
5. End of Revolution
6. Results of Revolution
7. Conclusion and suggestions