Why did the Constitutional Monarchy fail in France by August 1792?

Why did the Constitutional Monarchy fail?

CLASS DIFFERENCES AND PRESSURE FOR SANS CULOTTES

Fall inevitable, Marxist view

Nobility, urban workers and peasants had worked together effecively by 1789. However natural class differences began to emerge more strongly. The bourgeoisie sought to halt the revoution once they had achieved their aims but sans culottes and peasants drove the revolution in a more radical direction.

Development of 'sans culottes mentality'. Used revoltuionary violence to drive Revolution in a more radical direction. Storming of the Bastille, Octiober Days , journee of June 10th 1792 and the insurrection of August 1792 are all examples of this use of revolutionary violence. Sans culotte supplied the revolutionary dynamic which overthrew the King and gave power to the people.

IDEAS AND RHETORIC OF THE REVOLUTION

Fall inevitable, Post Revisionist view

Ideas of the revoltionaries were important, as well as the National Assembly's willingness to turn a blind eye to violence if that helped their cause. Revoltuionaries influenced by the ideas of Rosseau and his ideas of unity and the General Will. Unity was vital and there was no dissent among supporters. Those who disagreed were deemed as being against the Revolution.

The King's use of veto was seen as counter - revolutionary. It was easy to believe there was an aristocratic conspiracy and that the King was a part of it. Contradiction in the Constitution which emphasised liberty and equality and still sought to retain a hereditary monarchy and it was bound to come undone at some point.

KING'S OPPOSITION FROM START

Fall inevitable, David Andress' view

The Constitutional Monarchy could only have worked if the King believed in it. Reaction to the forming of…