NATIONAL CONVENTION, an assembly of deputies of this people, Which assumed the whole government of France on the overthrow of the throne in 1792. When the nation al assembly (see ASSEMBLY, NATIONAL) had decreed the suspension of the king. Aug. 10th, 1792 it appointed the election of the national convention, which commenced its sittings Sept.: 31st. Its first act was to declare France a. republic, Sept. 25th. Upon this followed the trial and condemnation of the king. Through the support of ex cited mobs, the extreme Jacobin party became predominant in the convention; where, from the elevated seats on which its members sat, it received the name of the mountain party. The revolutionary tribunal was established; the chief administration of Weirs was intrusted to the Committee of public safety, which exercised the most despotic powers. The Girondists (q.v.), at first a powerful party in the convention, were destroyed, many of them per;shing by the guillotine; and a new eonstitutiou, thoroughly democratic, was adopted Aug. 10th, 1793; but its operation was suspended until peace should be restored.
Meanwhile, the actual rulers of the country displayed marvelous energy; almost. a million of citizens being placed under arms, and immense provision of all warlike stores made by means of requisitions. They also proceeded with merciless severity against their political opponents, dealing with them as traitors; hundreds of thousands were thrown into prison; and the number who died by the guillotine increased daily both in Paris and throughout France. The. national convention itself latterly became subject to the dictatorial power of Robespierre; many of its members were guillotined within a few weeks; and independent opinion was no longer expressed. The overthrow of Robes pierre was followed by a great reaction; the Jacobins were suppressed; and finally, the national convention, after concluding peace with Prussia and Spain. dissolved itself Oct. 26th, 1795 (4th Brumaire of the year IV.), -leaving to the nation a new constitution which placed the government in the bands of a directory (q.v.).