French First Republic

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The First Republic in France, officially the French Republic (République française) was proclaimed on 21 September 1792, during the French Revolution. On that day Louis XVI was formally deposed, ending the French monarchy. This presaged a new era of republican government in Europe.

The Republic officially lasted until the establishment of the First French Empire in 1804. Its leaders included Napoleon Bonaparte, who served as First Consul from 1799 to 1804, when he ended the republic by declaring himself Emperor Napoleon I.

Constitutionally, the republic subdivided into government by:

the National Convention: 1792–95
the Directory: 1795–99
the Consulate: 1799–1804

The period of government led by the National Convention, led by Maximilien Robespierre, is also known as the Reign of Terror.

French First Republic

See also