1792Robespierre Calls for King Louis XVI's Execution

December 3: Robespierre, leader of the Jacobins and First De...
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1792

🔪 Robespierre Calls for King Louis XVI's Execution

December 3: Robespierre, leader of the Jacobins and First Deputy for Paris in the convention, demands that the King be put to death.
Robespierre Calls for King Louis XVI's Execution (1792)
French RevolutionRobespierreJacobinsLouis XVIExecutionRegicideNational ConventionPoliticsRadicalismRepublic

⚖️ Louis XVI on Trial Begins Before the National Convention

December 10: Opening of the trial of Louis XVI before the convention.
French RevolutionLouis XVITrialNational ConventionMonarchyRepublicRevolutionary TribunalRegicidePoliticsJustice

🗣️ Convention Debates King's Fate, Rejects Popular Vote

December 27–28: Motions in the Convention asking that people vote on judgement of the King. The motion is opposed by Robespierre, who declares "Louis must die so that the nation may live." The Convention rejects the motion for French voters to decide the King's fate.
French RevolutionNational ConventionLouis XVIKing's TrialRobespierrePolitical DebatePopular SovereigntyRegicideRepublic

⚖️ National Convention Convicts Louis XVI of Treason

January 15: The Convention declares Louis XVI guilty of conspiracy against public liberty by a vote of 707 to zero.
French RevolutionLouis XVINational ConventionTreasonPoliticsTrialMonarchyRepublicGuillotineRegicide

🔪 Convention Votes on Louis XVI's Execution

January 17: In a vote lasting twenty-one hours, 361 deputies vote for the death penalty, and 360 against (including 26 for a death penalty followed by a pardon). The Convention rejects a final appeal to the people.
French RevolutionNational ConventionLouis XVIExecutionDeath PenaltyVotingPolitical PolarizationRepublicTrial

👑 Execution of King Louis XVI

January 21: Louis XVI is beheaded at 10:22 on Place de la Révolution. The commander of the execution, Antoine Joseph Santerre, orders a drum roll to drown out his final words to the crowd.
Execution of King Louis XVI (1792)
French RevolutionLouis XVIExecutionRegicideRepublicTerrorGuillotineMonarchyPlace de la Révolution