History The French Revolution Questions Medium
During the French Revolution, the major political parties were the Girondins and the Jacobins.
The Girondins, also known as the Girondists, were a moderate political group that represented the interests of the bourgeoisie and the provincial middle class. They advocated for a constitutional monarchy and believed in a decentralized government with power distributed among the provinces. The Girondins were initially influential in the National Assembly and played a significant role in the early stages of the revolution.
On the other hand, the Jacobins, also known as the Montagnards or the Mountain, were a radical political faction that emerged during the later stages of the revolution. They were primarily composed of members from the urban working class and the sans-culottes, who were the lower-class citizens. The Jacobins called for the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. They were known for their radical policies, including the Reign of Terror, which aimed to suppress counter-revolutionary activities.
These two major political parties had different ideologies and goals, with the Girondins advocating for a more moderate approach to the revolution, while the Jacobins pursued a more radical and revolutionary agenda. The conflict between these factions eventually led to the downfall of the Girondins and the rise of the Jacobins, who dominated the Committee of Public Safety and played a crucial role in shaping the course of the French Revolution.