- Byname:
- Jacobins
- Formally (1789–92):
- Society of the Friends of the Constitution or
- (1792–94):
- Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Liberty and Equality
- French:
- Club des Jacobins, Société des Amis de la Constitution, or Société des Jacobins, Amis de la Liberté et de l’Égalité
- Date:
- 1789 - November 11, 1794
Jacobin Club
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What was the Jacobin Club?
The Jacobin Club, known for its extreme egalitarianism and violence, stands as the most famous political group of the French Revolution. Originating as the Club Breton in Versailles, it aimed to protect the Revolution's gains against aristocratic reaction. The club gained a democratic character, advocating for the execution of the king and the overthrow of the Girondins.
With the rise of the Revolutionary dictatorship in 1793, the Jacobin clubs became instruments of the Reign of Terror, numbering 5,000 to 8,000 throughout France. The clubs were part of the administrative machinery of government, charged with raising army supplies and policing local markets.
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When and where was the Jacobin Club formed?
The Jacobin Club, the most celebrated political faction of the French Revolution, is known for its radical egalitarianism and violence. It led the revolutionary government from mid-1793 to mid-1794.
Initially, the Jacobins emerged as the Club Breton in Versailles in 1789. Here, deputies from Brittany met with those from other regions to coordinate their actions during the Estates-General (later the National Assembly). Following the National Assembly's relocation to Paris, the group was likely reestablished in December 1789 and was then called the Society of the Friends of the Constitution, but it was commonly called the Jacobin Club because its sessions were held in a former convent of the Dominicans, who were known in Paris as Jacobins.
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What were the main beliefs and goals of the Jacobins?
The Jacobin Club, prominent during the French Revolution, championed egalitarianism and employed violence, leading the Revolutionary government from mid-1793 to mid-1794.
Originating as the Club Breton, it aimed to safeguard the Revolution's gains. Key objectives included advocating for universal suffrage, unrestricted access to public office, and the right to petition. They sought to eliminate religious and racial discrimination, and supported the concept of progressive taxation. As public virtue centers, they monitored opinions, promoted dechristianization, and organized revolutionary festivals.
The Jacobins enforced laws against insubordination and desertion while ensuring soldiers received revolutionary materials and support for their families. The club closed in November 1794.
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How did the Jacobin Club influence the French Revolution?
The Jacobin Club was the most influential political group of the French Revolution, known for its radical egalitarianism and violence. From mid-1793 to mid-1794, it led the Revolutionary government.
Originating as the Club Breton, it was re-established as the Society of the Friends of the Constitution, commonly known as the Jacobin Club. Its initial purpose was to safeguard the Revolution's gains from potential aristocratic resurgence.
The club gained a democratic character, advocating for the execution of the king and the overthrow of the Girondins. Local Jacobin clubs became instruments of the Reign of Terror, raising army supplies and policing markets. The club was associated with Robspierre, who dominated the government through the Committee of Public Safety. After Robespierre's fall, the club was closed.
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Who were some important leaders of the Jacobin Club?
The Jacobin Club was a highly influential political group during the French Revolution, known for its radical egalitarianism and violence. Several leaders were associated with the club:
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Maximilien Robespierre: He assumed a prominent position in the club in July 1791 and dominated the Revolutionary government through his position on the Committee of Public Safety.
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Jean-Paul Marat: As editor of L’Ami du Peuple, he voiced support for radical, democratic measures.
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Georges Danton: He founded the Cordeliers Club and shone at both the Cordeliers and Jacobin Clubs, making frequent speeches.
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What led to the decline and end of the Jacobin Club?
The decline and end of the Jacobin Club can be attributed to multiple factors. After the Thermidorian Reaction, the club, seen as a symbol of terror and dictatorship, was temporarily shut down. Although it reopened as opposition to the Thermidorian government, it was permanently closed in November 1794.
The fall of Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure in the Committee of Public Safety, was a key event that led to the collapse of the Jacobin Club and the end of the Reign of Terror. Social and political life became more free, and there was a purge of Jacobin clubs.
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Jacobin Club, the most famous political group of the French Revolution, which became identified with extreme egalitarianism and violence and which led the Revolutionary government from mid-1793 to mid-1794.
The Jacobins originated as the Club Breton at Versailles, where the deputies from Brittany to the Estates-General (later the National Assembly) of 1789 met with deputies from other parts of France to concert their action. The group was reconstituted, probably in December 1789, after the National Assembly moved to Paris, under the name of Society of the Friends of the Constitution, but it was commonly called the Jacobin Club because its sessions were held in a former convent of the Dominicans, who were known in Paris as Jacobins. Its purpose was to protect the gains of the Revolution against a possible aristocratic reaction. The club soon admitted nondeputies—usually prosperous bourgeois and men of letters—and acquired affiliates throughout France. By July 1790 there were about 1,200 members in the Parisian club and 152 affiliate clubs.
In July 1791 the Jacobin Club split over a petition calling for the removal of Louis XVI after his unsuccessful attempt to flee France; many of the moderate deputies left to join the rival club of the Feuillants. Maximilien Robespierre was one of the few deputies who remained, and he assumed a position of prominence in the club.
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After the overthrow of the monarchy, in August 1792 (in which the Jacobin Club, still reluctant to declare itself republican, did not have a direct role), the club entered a new phase as one of the major groups directing the Revolution. With the proclamation of the republic in September, the club changed its name to Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Liberty and Equality. It acquired a democratic character with the admission of the leftist Montagnard deputies in the National Convention (the new legislature) and also a more popular one as it responded to the demands of the Parisian working and artisan class. Through the early phase of the Convention, the club was a meeting place for the Montagnards, and it agitated for the execution of the king (January 1793) and for the overthrow of the moderate Girondins (June 1793).
With the establishment of the Revolutionary dictatorship, beginning in the summer of 1793, the local Jacobin clubs became instruments of the Reign of Terror. (In 1793 there were probably 5,000 to 8,000 clubs throughout France, with a nominal membership of 500,000.) The clubs, as part of the administrative machinery of government, had certain duties: they raised supplies for the army and policed local markets. Often local government officials were replaced with members of clubs. As centres of public virtue, the clubs watched over people whose opinions were suspect, led the dechristianizing movement, and organized Revolutionary festivals.
The Parisian club was increasingly associated with Robespierre, who dominated the Revolutionary government through his position on the Committee of Public Safety. It supported Robespierre in his attacks on the enemies of the Revolution and helped him resist the growing demands of the discontented workers for a controlled economy. After the fall of Robespierre on 9 Thermidor, year II (July 27, 1794), the Parisian club, now a symbol of dictatorship and terror, was temporarily closed. It reopened as a centre of opposition to the Thermidorian government, but it was permanently closed on 21 Brumaire, year III (November 11, 1794).
The Club du Panthéon in 1795 and Club du Manège of 1799 briefly revived the Jacobin spirit, while some local clubs lasted until the year VIII (1799–1800) despite their having been officially banned.
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The name Jacobin was also applied to radicals in England and other countries in the period of the French Revolution.