Title: The Radical Stage of the French Revolution (1792-1793) | Novelguide
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Content: The National Convention, divided by the moderate Girondins and the radical Jacobins, was the place where the future of the country was to be eventually determined. It was the premise of the Jacobins that they should eradicate the "enemy within" and secure the destiny of the revolution through the destruction of counter-revolutionary forces. They believed that by weeding out those who opposed the revolution, they could achieve their goals quickly and efficiently. The Girondins were not so quick to agree with the Jacobins, and so political deadlock begin to form in the Convention. It was not until after the September massacres, when 1200 prisoners were executed without trials, that Robespierre and his followers were able to justify their premise. They condemned the actions of the unruly mobs that caused the deaths of innocent Frenchmen and demanded that the Monarchy be abolished in order to eliminate as many of the royalists and monarchists that still remained. It was Marat with his want 100,000 heads to fall" speeches that convinced the masses that those who were not in favour of the revolution had to be dealt with immediately or the revolution would never succeed. Once the Monarchy was abolished and France was declared a republic, Robespierre and the Jacobins proceeded to demand the execution of the last symbol of the old regime: Louis Capet. The Girondins begged for a stay of execution for the fallen King (in the name of constitutional Justice), but the moderate forces were overwhelmed by the people's support for the radicals and the fate of Louis remained unchanged.