Jacques-Nicolas Billaud-Varenne Biography and Timeline

LAcephocratie", demands the establishment of a federal republic

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne published "LAcephocratie", demands the establishment of a federal republic.

Role range: 1789-1792

LAcephocratie", demands the establishment of a federal republic

Publication of "LAcephocratie", demands the establishment of a federal republic

Role range: 1789-1792

LAcephocratie

Publication of "LAcephocratie", demands the establishment of a federal republic

Role range: 1789-1792

Election

Elected Deputy Commissioner

Election to National Convention

Billaud-Varenne was elected to the National Convention for Paris and sat with the Mountain.

Role range: 1789-1792

Abolition of Monarchy

In the National Convention demands the abolition of the Monarchy

Role range: 1789-1792

Election

Elected Deputy for Paris to the National Convention

Role range: 1789-1792

Election

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne was elected Deputy for Paris to the National Convention.

Role range: 1789-1792

Execution

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne proposed that defense counsel be denied and votes for execution "within 24 hours".

Role range: 1789-1792

Execution

Proposes that defense counsel be denied & votes for execution "within 24 hours"

Role range: 1789-1792

National Convention

Elected Deputy for Paris to the National Convention

Role range: 1789-1792

Trial

Proposes that defense counsel be denied & votes for execution "within 24 hours"

Role range: 1789-1792

Execution

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne proposed execution of unsuccessful generals and the creation of a revolutionary army.

Role range: 1793-1799

Execution

Proposes execution of unsuccessful generals & the creation of a revolutionary army

Role range: 1793-1799

Manifesto

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne proposed expelling foreigners and taxing the rich. Proposes execution of unsuccessful generals and the creation of a revolutionary army.

Role range: 1793-1799

Manifesto

Proposes expelling foreigners & taxing the rich. Proposes execution of unsuccessful generals & the creation of a revolutionary army

Role range: 1793-1799

Revolutionary Army Proposal

Billaud-Varenne supported creation of a revolutionary army during the emergency measures of September 1793.

Role range: 1793-1799

President of National Convention

The Convention elected Billaud-Varenne to preside during the September expansion of emergency revolutionary measures.

Role range: 1793-1799

Revolutionary Tribunal Naming

Billaud-Varenne supported formally naming the extraordinary criminal court the Revolutionary Tribunal.

Role range: 1793-1799

Terror becomes political watchword: Security pressure intensifies

Billaud-Varenne argued for stronger measures against enemies as war and economic unrest continued. Radical pressure helped produce a system of extensive political surveillance.

Role range: 1793-1799

Revolutionary Government Report

Billaud-Varenne presented proposals for strengthening revolutionary government and central authority.

Role range: 1793-1799

Law of 14 Frimaire

Billaud-Varenne supports the decree of 14 Frimaire, which centralizes revolutionary government and strengthens supervision by the Convention and its committees.

Role range: 1789-1799

Convention Supremacy

Billaud-Varenne argued that the National Convention alone should direct the revolutionary government.

Role range: 1793-1799

Convention Retains Primacy Over Committees

Billaud-Varenne insisted that emergency committees remained accountable to the National Convention rather than constituting a separate sovereign government.

Role range: 1789-1799

Law of Suspects Strengthens Detention Powers

Billaud-Varenne supported extraordinary measures against suspected enemies as the Convention expanded instruments of surveillance and preventive detention.

Role range: 1789-1799

Security Measures Expand Revolutionary Surveillance

Billaud Varenne supported stronger measures against suspected counterrevolutionaries. Jacobin arguments for vigilance helped justify intrusive surveillance and detention policies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee members resist autonomous radical army

Billaud-Varenne and colleagues supported stronger central supervision of revolutionary coercion. Their stance undercut the political independence of networks associated with Ronsin.

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee of Public Safety

Appointed Member of Committee of Public Safety

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee of Public Safety

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne became a member of the Committee of Public Safety.

Role range: 1793-1799

Elements de Republicanisme", demands the redistribution of property

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne published "Elements de Republicanisme", demands the redistribution of property.

Role range: 1793-1799

Elements de Republicanisme", demands the redistribution of property

Publication of "Elements de Republicanisme", demands the redistribution of property

Role range: 1793-1799

Elements de Republicanisme

Publication of "Elements de Republicanisme", demands the redistribution of property

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee of Public Safety

Appointed Member of Committee of Public Safety

Anniversary of Louis XVI Execution

Billaud-Varenne supported official commemoration of the execution of Louis XVI as a republican political anniversary.

Role range: 1793-1799

Dantonists executed: Emergency regime eliminates dissent

Billaud-Varenne stood among leading revolutionaries who favored uncompromising security measures. The Dantonist trial demonstrated how accusations of conspiracy could be deployed against former allies.

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee rivalry reaches open conflict - Longer-term significance

Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne figured in events surrounding committee rivalry reaches open conflict at Paris. The quarrel showed that the emergency government no longer operated as a united leadership. It formed part of the unsettled transition that eventually produced the Constitution of Year III and the Directory.

Role range: 1793-1799

Committee rivalry reaches open conflict

Billaud-Varenne joined the attacks on Robespierre as divisions within the committees erupted publicly. The quarrel showed that the emergency government no longer operated as a united leadership.

Role range: 1793-1799

Thermidor Crisis

Billaud-Varenne denounces Robespierre and joins the deputies demanding his arrest

Role range: 1789-1799

Thermidor Crisis

Billaud-Varenne denounces Robespierre and joins the deputies demanding his arrest.

Role range: 1789-1799

Convention Deputies Fear Loss of Immunity

The prospect of proceedings against deputies without effective parliamentary protection intensified resentment toward the emergency government.

Role range: 1793-1799