Paul François Jean Nicolas Barras Biography and Timeline

Storming of the Bastille

Barras participated in the revolutionary events surrounding the storming of the Bastille in Paris.

Role range: 1789-1792

Defence of Royal Family

Barras spoke in favour of the king and queen during the October crisis at Versailles.

Role range: 1789-1792

Barras joins revolutionary mobilization Barras

Barras participated in the upheaval surrounding the fall of the Bastille. His association with the movement marked an unexpected political turn for a veteran officer from a noble Provençal family.

Role range: 1789-1792

Position during October Days Barras

Barras was present in revolutionary political circles during the October march on Versailles. Contemporary accounts associate him with efforts to protect the royal household amid the palace crisis.

Role range: 1789-1792

Jacobin Affiliation

Barras joined the Jacobin political movement as his support for the Revolution became more radical.

Role range: 1789-1792

Entry into Jacobin politics Barras

Barras developed connections with the Jacobin political movement as the Revolution transformed French public life. Club networks provided an avenue into national politics outside his former military career.

Role range: 1789-1792

August Insurrection

Barras supported the revolutionary movement that overthrew the monarchy during the August insurrection.

Role range: 1789-1792

Election to National Convention

Barras was elected to the National Convention as a deputy for the Var.

Role range: 1789-1792

Barras aligns with republican Convention Barras

In the new Convention, Barras moved within the political world that supported a republican settlement. Representatives faced the simultaneous burdens of foreign invasion, internal unrest and constitutional reconstruction.

Role range: 1789-1792

Election from Var to Convention Barras

Barras entered the National Convention as a representative associated with the department of Var. His election gave him a role in the assembly that soon replaced the monarchy with a republic.

Role range: 1789-1792

National Convention

Appointed National Convention

Role range: 1789-1792

National Convention

Paul Francois Barras was elected to the National Convention.

Role range: 1789-1792

National Convention

Appointed National Convention

Vote on Louis XVI

Barras voted for the death of Louis XVI without an appeal to the people or a suspension of sentence.

Role range: 1793-1799

Vote against Girondins

Barras sided against the Girondins during the Convention's escalating factional struggle.

Role range: 1793-1799

Mission to Army of Italy

Barras was sent on mission to the Army of Italy and became involved in Republican operations around Toulon.

Role range: 1793-1799

Vote Against Delaying Royal Execution

Barras opposed a suspension of Louis XVI's sentence and sided with deputies demanding that the judgment be carried out without further delay.

Role range: 1789-1799

Convention response to Marseille federalism Barras

Federalist resistance in Marseille required the Republic to reassert control over a major Mediterranean city. Barras was among the representatives involved in the southeastern campaign to restore national authority.

Role range: 1793-1799

Cooperation with Freron in Provence Barras

Barras collaborated with Stanislas Fréron on revolutionary missions in southeastern France. Their work involved military security and the assertion of Convention authority after federalist resistance.

Role range: 1793-1799

Fall of Toulon to republican forces Barras

French forces recaptured Toulon in December after occupying positions that commanded the harbor. Barras was a political representative during the victory, which secured an important Mediterranean naval base.

Role range: 1793-1799

Mission to Army of Italy Barras

Barras was assigned to the Army of Italy as a representative of the Convention. The post gave him oversight responsibilities at a front affected by supply shortages and political mistrust.

Role range: 1793-1799

Opposition to postponing royal execution Barras

During the final votes on the king's sentence, Barras opposed a delay that would have suspended its immediate execution. His position reflected the Convention's deep divisions over revolutionary justice.

Role range: 1793-1799

Planning around royalist Toulon Barras

After Toulon passed into the hands of royalists supported by allied fleets, Barras worked with representatives and commanders organizing its recovery. The episode placed civilian political supervisors close to siege operations.

Role range: 1793-1799

Post-siege repression in Toulon Barras

The recovery of Toulon was followed by harsh punishments against people accused of supporting the royalist occupation. Barras and other representatives were associated with the republican authority that supervised the aftermath.

Role range: 1793-1799

Recruitment mission in Alpine departments Barras

The Convention sent Barras into the Alpine departments to support military recruitment. As representative on mission, he worked to strengthen forces needed for the Republic's widening war.

Role range: 1793-1799

Recruitment organization in Basses-Alpes Barras

Barras's mission included territories of the Basses-Alpes, where officials faced pressure to supply men for republican armies. Representatives were expected to enforce national mobilization through local authorities.

Role range: 1793-1799

Regicide vote in Louis XVI trial Barras

Barras voted to execute Louis XVI during the Convention's judgment of the former king. The decision placed him among deputies whose political futures were tied to the survival of the Republic.

Role range: 1793-1799

Siege artillery planning gains support Barras

Republican officers advanced an artillery-centered plan to force the allied fleet from Toulon's harbor. Barras was among the Convention representatives overseeing the military effort in which Bonaparte distinguished himself.

Role range: 1793-1799

Barras receives military command - Institutional consequence

Paul Francois Jean Nicolas Barras figured in events surrounding barras receives military command at Paris. His assignment made the defense of parliamentary authority a military operation. This episode contributed to the replacement of centralized Jacobin emergency rule with a less unified, more conservative Convention.

Role range: 1793-1799

Barras receives military command

The Convention gave Barras command of forces deployed against the insurrectionary Paris Commune. His assignment made the defense of parliamentary authority a military operation.

Role range: 1793-1799

Thermidor Crisis

Barras is given command of Convention forces against the Paris Commune

Role range: 1789-1799

Thermidor Crisis

Barras is given command of Convention forces against the Paris Commune.

Role range: 1789-1799

Command Against Robespierrists

The Convention appoints Barras to direct armed forces against the Paris Commune and supporters attempting to rescue the arrested Robespierrists.

Role range: 1789-1799

Coup

Paul Francois Barras was prominent in the overthrow of Robespierre.

Role range: 1793-1799

Coup

Prominent in the overthrow of Robespierre

Role range: 1793-1799

Convention Forces Approach Municipal Stronghold

Barras commanded troops acting for the Convention during the night after Robespierre's arrest. Their advance toward city hall forced the Commune's defenders to scatter.

Role range: 1793-1799

Municipal insurrection suppressed - Political consequence

Paul Francois Jean Nicolas Barras figured in events surrounding municipal insurrection suppressed at Paris. Barras's command helped ensure that the rebels could not hold the Hôtel de Ville. It exposed divisions among revolutionary deputies over who should control punishment, representation and public order.

Role range: 1793-1799

Municipal insurrection suppressed

Forces acting for the Convention retook control from the Robespierrist Commune during the night of 9 to 10 Thermidor. Barras's command helped ensure that the rebels could not hold the Hôtel de Ville.

Role range: 1793-1799

Convention Troops

Barras leads Convention forces against the Commune stronghold during the night of 9 to 10 Thermidor

Role range: 1789-1799

Convention Troops

Barras leads Convention forces against the Commune stronghold during the night of 9 to 10 Thermidor.

Role range: 1789-1799