27 Germinal
An CCXXXIV
Montagnards
The Montagnards were the radical democratic left in the National Convention. The name Montagne (Mountain) came from their higher seating positions in the assembly. They were mainly supported by the Parisian sans-culottes and stood in opposition to the Girondins. After the elimination of the Girondins, the Montagnards became the dominant force in the Convention. They supported the policy of the Terror. Many members of this group took part in the overthrow of Robespierre – and had to pay for it with the loss of power. The last Montagnards (among them Gilbert Romme) were executed or took their own lives after the failed Prairial uprising.
1792 - 1795
- October 1, 1791 · First session of the Legislative Assembly. During the brief existence of this parliament of the constitutional monarchy, two opposing parties emerged. The Girondins were supported by the upper bourgeoisie. The radical Montagnards had close ties to the Jacobins and the Parisian sans-culottes.
- April 1792 · On the question of war, the Montagnards mostly sided with the opponents of armed conflict. The Girondins supported military confrontation and prevailed. On 20 April, France declared war on Austria.
- January 1793 · The Montagnards secure the death sentence against the former king in the Convention. The Girondins vote in a divided manner. Louis Capet is executed on 21 January.
- July 13, 1793 · Jean Paul Marat, one of the leading Montagnard deputies, is murdered by Charlotte Corday.
- September 1793 · The Montagnards dominate the Committee of Public Safety. Its members include Robespierre, Saint-Just, Couthon, Billaud-Varenne and Collot d’Herbois.
- April 5, 1794 · Execution of Danton, one of the former leaders of the Montagnards. He had called for an end to the policy of the Terror.
- July 27, 1794 · 9 Thermidor. Fall of Robespierre. Leading Montagnards lose their positions in the committees.
- May 20, 1795 · Prairial uprising. The sans-culottes storm the parliament. They demand
bread and the Constitution of 1793
. The uprising fails. 14 Montagnard deputies who supported them are arrested. - June 17, 1795 · Death sentence by the Revolutionary Tribunal against the last Montagnards who had supported the Prairial uprising. Three of the six condemned escape the guillotine by stabbing themselves.
Quotes
No, the Mountain is pure, it is lofty. Intriguers do not belong to it.
Robespierre on the eve of his downfall
Seeking help, hunted and surrounded, Robespierre lets his gaze wander. He tries to look his former friends on the Mountain in the face, but most of them turn away, as if they did not understand his look.
Friedrich Sieburg on 9 Thermidor
This is how a man of courage ends his life.
Pierre Bourbotte, 17 June 1795, shortly before stabbing himself.
Le Moniteur
Quartidi, 4 messidor, l'an 3 de la République Française une et indivisible
(June 22, 1795)
The last Montagnards choose suicide, 17 June 1795.
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