On 20th September 1792 the elections for this body were completed and the National Convention was formed. Its first session took place on 21st September. The total number of its members was 782. Among them 200 were Girondists, 100 Jacobins and 482 did not belong to any political party.

Thus none of the party secured majority in the house. But it is quite clear from the above data that the number of Girondist members was just the double in comparison to the Jacobins. Girondists wanted to pilot the Revolution in an orderly and legal way.

They did not like lawlessness, anarchy and bloodshed. They opposed terrorism and wanted to crush the power of the Paris mob, while the Jacobins were immensely influenced by the crowd of Paris and the Commune and tended to defend France by hook or by crook.

The Jacobins had great influence outside the National Convention. Therefore, they could defeat the Girondists in the battle of the ballot and captured the authority with the help of the commoners.

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Thus they became the virtual rulers of France. During their regime some significant changes took place in France.

The Work of National Convention

After its election, the first session of the National Convention was held on 21st September 1792; and it was resolved in it that henceforth republican government would be established in France in place of monarchy.

A new era was started as a token of the establishment of Republican France. Many reforms were made in the Almanac and the month was divided into three parts of ten days each. The months were named after the animals and natural objects.

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Five days’ national holiday was declared after the end of the year. And it was also resolved that the king should be brought to trial as a culprit; the nobles and the feudal lords who had gone out from France during the course of Revolution, should be expatriated for ever; and a committee was constituted to frame a new constitution for the country.

Thus at the very inception, the National Convention performed various significant acts and proved its importance.

Problems of National Convention

The members of the National Convention realised the following problems in its first session:

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1. The king had been suspended from the royal duties, should be done with him?

2. How the country should be safeguarded from the foreign enemies?

3. To establish law and order and to end anarchy and lawlessness in the country.

4. To organise the army of the country properly.

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5. To wipe out the corruption so far rampant in the French society.

6. To make internal reforms in the country.

7. To frame a new constitution for the country.