The French First Republic refers to the period from September 22, 1792, to May 18, 1804, during which France transitioned from a constitutional monarchy to a republic form of government. It was established following the collapse of the French monarchy and the subsequent abolition of the monarchy on September 21, 1792.
During the French First Republic, political power was concentrated in the hands of the National Convention, a legislative body comprising deputies elected by universal male suffrage. The Convention adopted a republican constitution in 1793, which aimed to create a more egalitarian society by introducing political and social reforms. This period witnessed a number of significant events including the Reign of Terror, in which thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and later, Queen Marie Antoinette, were executed by the guillotine.
The French First Republic also experienced significant external conflicts as it waged war against various European powers. Its armies, led by military generals such as Napoleon Bonaparte, achieved significant victories and expanded the French borders. In 1799, Napoleon staged a coup d'état and became First Consul, effectively ending the First Republic and proclaiming the Consulate era.
Overall, the French First Republic marked a momentous shift in French history, as it saw the establishment of a republican government and a series of social, political, and military transformations that would eventually lead to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the establishment of the First French Empire.
