Reaction to change internally and externally

The king and the flight to Varennes:

initially Louis accepted the revolution and appeared willing to work towards a constitutional monarchy. Two problems changed his position - 1. his religion; 2. the realisation that, as a prisoner in Paris, his negotiating position was weak. By 1791 it was obvious Louis was avoiding hearing mass celebrated by clergy who had sworn the clerical oath. When the royal family tried to leave Paris in April 1791 to spend Easter at Saint Cloud, crowds blocked them that the National Guard couldn`t disperse. Louis made the decision to escape. On 20 June 1791 the royal family left Paris and travelled east - they made it as far as Varenne before they were recognised and brought back to Paris, watched by silent Parisian crowds. Louis had left behind a proclamation denouncing the revolution. This incident made it clear that:

• Louis hadn`t understood how popular the changes since 1789 had been
• many no longer trusted Louis
• constitutional monarchy was in doubt
• support for republicanism started to grow

The political clubs:

The Jacobin Club - powerful political club whose members came from the wealthier sections of society. Many were deputies and in their debates they discussed issues that arose in the National Assembly. It acted as a pressure group for revolutionary ideas. By June 1791 it had 2,400 members in Paris and a network of Jacobin clubs across France. Robespierre became the leader. Following the flight to Varennes, radical Jacobins argued that Louis had basically abdicated and there should be no replacement, unless the nation desired a monarch. This republican manifesto split the club.

The Cordeliers Club - originated in the Cordeliers district of Paris. Members were poorer men and women and was more radical than the Jacobins. Its leadership was middle class - notably Danton, Desmoulins, Marat and Hebert. They viewed their role as keepin an eye on the National Assembly deputies and as leaders of the democratic movement.

The Club Monarchique - this was a counter-revolutionary club whose members (around 200) included National Assembly deputies, clergy, nobles and the upper bourgeoisie. It sponsored propaganda, fostered links with emigres and econouraged similar clubs across France. These worked for a return to an Ancien-Regime style monarchy.

The Feuillants - club set up by…