Quick Links
Quick Links
UPSC Exams
Latest Update
PSSSB Exam Calendar 2025 DSSSB PGT Admit Card 2025 DSSSB PGT Notification 2025 UKPSC Answer Key 2025 TNPSC Group 4 Hall Ticket 2025 KTET Application Form 2025 UPSC CAPF Exam Date 2025 Rajathan PTET Result in Hindi MAHATRANSCO Admit Card 2025 Rajasthan PTET Result 2025 BTSC Dresser Admit Card 2025 Fastag Annual Pass 2025 UGC NET Answer Key June 2025 UGC NET Exam Analysis 2025 UGC NET Question Paper 2025 AP LAWCET Result 2025 UGC NET City Slip 2025 UPSC DAF 1 2025 Rajasthan PTET Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims Result 2025 UPSC IFS Result 2025 8th Pay Commission Salary Hike News UPSC 2024 Prelims Answer Key UPSC 2026 Calendar UPSC Admit Card 2025 UPSC Prelims Result Date 2025 UPSC Prelims Answer Key 2025 UPSC Prelims 2025 Expected Cut Off UPSC Prelims Exam Analysis 2025 UPSC Final Result 2025 UPSC Topper Shakti Dubey UPSC Application Rejected List 2025 UPSC Application Date Re-Extended UPSC Interview Date 2024 UPSC Notification 2025 UPSC Admit Card 2025 for Prelims UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC IFS Notification 2025
Coaching
UPSC Current Affairs
Syllabus
UPSC Notes
Previous Year Papers
UPSC Mains Previous Year Question Papers Last 25 Years UPSC Prelims Question Papers Last 10 Years UPSC Question Papers UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Question Paper UPSC Mains 2024 Model Answers UPSC 2024 Question Papers UPSC 2023 Question Papers UPSC 2022 Question Papers UPSC 2021 Question Papers UPSC 2020 Question Papers UPSC 2019 Question Papers UPSC 2018 Question Papers UPSC 2017 Question Papers UPSC 2016 Question Papers UPSC 2015 Question Papers UPSC 2014 Question Papers UPSC CSAT Question Papers UPSC IFS Previous Year Paper UPSC Assistant Labour Commissioner Previous Question Year Papers UPSC Combined Geo Scientist Previous Year Paper UPSC APFC Previous Year Question Papers UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Paper UPSC EPFO Previous Year Paper UPSC Air Safety Officer Previous Year Papers UPSC SO Steno Previous Year Paper UPSC IES ISS Previous Year Question Papers
Mock Tests
UPSC Editorial
Bilateral Ties
Albania India Relations India Algeria Relations Andorra India Relations India Angola Relations India Antigua Barbuda Relations India Argentina Relations Austria India Relations India Azerbaijan Relations Bahamas India Relations India Bahrain Relations Barbados India Relations India Belarus Relations Belgium India Relations Belize India Relations Benin India Relations Bolivia India Relations India Bosnia Herzegovina Relations India Botswana Relations Brazil India Relations Brunei India Relations Bulgaria India Relations Burundi India Relations Cabo Verde India Relations India Cambodia Relations India Cameroon Relations Canada India Relations India Cayman Islands Relations India Central African Republic Relations India Chad Relations Chile India Relations India Colombia Relations India Comoros Relations India Democratic Republic Of The Congo Relations India Republic Of The Congo Relations India Cook Islands Relations India Costa Rica Relations India Ivory Coast Relations India Croatia Relations India Cyprus Relations India Czech Republic Relations India Djibouti Relations India Dominica Relations India Dominican Republic Relations India Ecuador Relations India El Salvador Relations India Equatorial Guinea Relations India Eritrea Relations Estonia India Relations India Ethiopia Relations India Fiji Relations India Finland Relations India Gabon Relations India Gambia Relations India Georgia Relations Germany India Relations India Ghana Relations India Greece Relations India Grenada Relations India Guatemala Relations India Guinea Relations India Guinea Bissau Relations India Guyana Relations India Haiti Relations India Holy See Relations India Honduras Relations India Hong Kong Relations India Hungary Relations India Iceland Relations India Indonesia Relations India Iran Relations India Iraq Relations India Ireland Relations India Jamaica Relations India Kazakhstan Relations India Kenya Relations India Kingdom Of Eswatini Relations India Kiribati Relations India Kuwait Relations India Kyrgyzstan Relations India Laos Relations Latvia India Relations India Lebanon Relations India Lesotho Relations India Liberia Relations Libya India Relations Liechtenstein India Relations India Lithuania Relations India Luxembourg Relations India Macao Relations Madagascar India Relations India Malawi Relations India Mali Relations India Malta Relations India Marshall Islands Relations India Mauritania Relations India Micronesia Relations India Moldova Relations Monaco India Relations India Montenegro Relations India Montserrat Relations India Morocco Relations Mozambique India Relations India Namibia Relations India Nauru Relations Netherlands India Relations India Nicaragua Relations India Niger Relations India Nigeria Relations India Niue Relations India North Macedonia Relations Norway India Relations India Palau Relations India Panama Relations India Papua New Guinea Relations India Paraguay Relations Peru India Relations India Philippines Relations Qatar India Relations India Romania Relations Rwanda India Relations India Saint Kitts And Nevis Relations India Saint Lucia Relations India Saint Vincent And Grenadines Relations India Samoa Relations India Sao Tome And Principe Relations Saudi Arabia India Relations India Senegal Relations Serbia India Relations India Sierra Leone Relations India Singapore Relations India Slovak Republic Relations India Slovenia Relations India Solomon Islands Relations Somalia India Relations India South Sudan Relations India Spain Relations India Sudan Relations Suriname India Relations India Sweden Relations India Syria Relations India Tajikistan Relations Tanzania India Relations India Togo Relations India Tonga Islands Relations India Trinidad And Tobago Relations India Tunisia Relations India Turkmenistan Relations India Turks And Caicos Islands Relations India Tuvalu Relations India Uganda Relations India Ukraine Relations India Uae Relations India Uruguay Relations India Uzbekistan Relations India Vanuatu Relations India Venezuela Relations India British Virgin Islands Relations Yemen India Relations India Zambia Relations India Zimbabwe Relations
Books
Government Schemes
Production Linked Incentive Scheme Integrated Processing Development Scheme Rodtep Scheme Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme Saathi Scheme Uday Scheme Hriday Scheme Samagra Shiksha Scheme India Nishta Scheme Stand Up India Scheme Sahakar Mitra Scheme Mdms Mid Day Meal Scheme Integrated Child Protection Scheme Vatsalya Scheme Operation Green Scheme Nai Roshni Scheme Nutrient Based Subsidy Scheme Kalia Scheme Ayushman Sahakar Scheme Nirvik Scheme Fame India Scheme Kusum Scheme Pm Svanidhi Scheme Pmvvy Scheme Pm Aasha Scheme Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme Pradhan Mantri Lpg Panjayat Scheme Mplads Scheme Svamitva Scheme Pat Scheme Udan Scheme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat Scheme National Pension Scheme Ujala Scheme Operation Greens Scheme Gold Monetisation Scheme Family Planning Insurance Scheme Target Olympic Podium Scheme
Topics
NASA Space Missions
NASA Mercury-Redstone 3 (Freedom 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Redstone 4 (Liberty Bell 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 6 (Friendship 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 7 (Aurora 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 8 (Sigma 7) Mission NASA Mercury-Atlas 9 (Faith 7) Mission NASA Gemini 3 Mission NASA Gemini 4 Mission NASA Gemini 5 Mission NASA Gemini 7 Mission NASA Gemini 8 Mission NASA Gemini 9 Mission NASA Gemini 10 Mission NASA Gemini 11 Mission NASA Gemini 12 Mission NASA Apollo 1 (AS‑204) Mission NASA Apollo 7 Mission NASA Apollo 8 Mission NASA Apollo 9 Mission NASA Apollo 10 Mission NASA Apollo 11 Mission NASA Apollo 12 Mission NASA Apollo 13 Mission NASA Apollo 14 Mission NASA Apollo 15 Mission NASA Apollo 16 Mission NASA Apollo 17 Mission NASA Skylab Orbital Workshop Mission NASA Skylab 2 Mission NASA Skylab 3 Mission NASA Skylab 4 Mission NASA Apollo–Soyuz Test Project Mission NASA STS‑1 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑3 Columbia Mission NASA STS‑7 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑8 Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41B Challenger Mission NASA STS‑41G Discovery (1st female EVA) Mission NASA STS‑51L Challenger (accident) Mission NASA STS‑26 Discovery (Return‑to‑Flight) Mission NASA STS‑31 Discovery (Hubble Launch) Mission NASA STS‑49 Endeavour (first capture EVA) Mission NASA STS‑61 Endeavour (Hubble Servicing 1) Mission NASA STS‑73 Columbia (microgravity) Mission NASA STS‑95 Discovery (John Glenn returns) Mission NASA STS‑107 Columbia (accident) Mission NASA STS‑114 Discovery (RTF‑2) Mission NASA STS‑120 Discovery (Node 2) Mission NASA STS‑125 Atlantis (Final Hubble Service) Mission NASA STS‑132 Atlantis Mission NASA STS‑135 Atlantis (Final Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Artemis I (Orion/ SLS‑1) Mission NASA Artemis II (Planned) Mission NASA Artemis III (Planned lunar landing) Mission NASA Mariner 4 Mission NASA Mariner 6 Mission NASA Mariner 7 Mission NASA Mariner 9 Mission NASA Viking 1 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Viking 2 Orbiter/Lander Mission NASA Mars Pathfinder & Sojourner Mission NASA Mars Global Surveyor Mission NASA 2001 Mars Odyssey Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Spirit Mission NASA Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity Mission NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission NASA Phoenix Mars Lander Mission NASA InSight Mars Lander Mission NASA Mars 2020 (Perseverance & Ingenuity) Mission NASA Mars Sample Return – SRL (planned) Mission NASA Pioneer 10 Mission NASA Pioneer 11 Mission NASA Voyager 1 Mission NASA Voyager 2 Mission NASA Galileo Jupiter Orbiter/Probe Mission NASA Cassini–Huygens Mission NASA New Horizons (Pluto & KBO) Mission NASA Juno Mission NASA Europa Clipper (planned) Mission NASA Parker Solar Probe Mission NASA Solar Orbiter (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Surveyor 1 Mission NASA Lunar Orbiter 1 Mission NASA Lunar Prospector Mission NASA LCROSS Mission NASA LADEE Mission NASA Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA VIPER Rover (planned) Mission NASA NEAR Shoemaker Mission NASA Deep Space 1 Mission NASA Stardust Mission NASA Genesis Mission NASA Deep Impact Mission NASA Dawn (Vesta/Ceres) Mission NASA OSIRIS‑REx Mission NASA Lucy Mission NASA DART Mission NASA Landsat‑1 (ERTS‑1) Mission NASA Landsat‑5 Mission NASA Landsat‑9 Mission NASA Terra Mission NASA Aqua Mission NASA Aura Mission NASA Suomi NPP Mission NASA Sentinel‑6 Michael Freilich Mission NASA ICESat‑2 Mission NASA GRACE‑FO Mission NASA SMAP Mission NASA GPM Core Observatory Mission NASA CALIPSO Mission NASA CloudSat Mission NASA NISAR (NASA‑ISRO) Mission NASA Explorer 1 Mission NASA COBE Mission NASA Compton Gamma Ray Observatory Mission NASA Hubble Space Telescope Mission NASA Chandra X‑ray Observatory Mission NASA Spitzer Space Telescope Mission NASA WISE Mission NASA Kepler Mission NASA TESS Mission NASA Fermi Gamma‑ray Space Telescope Mission NASA NICER Mission NASA IXPE Mission NASA Roman Space Telescope (planned) Mission NASA NuSTAR Mission NASA GALEX Mission NASA Swift Mission NASA SOHO (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA Cluster II (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA TIMED Mission NASA STEREO‑A/B Mission NASA MMS Mission NASA IRIS Mission NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory Mission NASA X‑37B OTV‑1 (USAF/NASA liaison) Mission NASA X‑59 QueSST Mission NASA Mars Helicopter Ingenuity Mission NASA Valkyrie R5 Robot Mission NASA Low‑Boom Flight Demo Mission NASA CRS‑1 Dragon Mission NASA CRS‑1 Cygnus Mission NASA Crew Dragon Demo‑2 Mission NASA Starliner OFT‑2 Mission NASA STS-2 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-4 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-5 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-6 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-41D (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-51A (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-61C (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-26 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-27 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-29 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-30 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-32 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-34 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-38 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-45 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-60 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-70 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-71 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-73 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-88 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-92 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-97 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-99 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-100 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-104 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-106 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-110 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-112 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-115 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-116 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-117 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-118 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-120 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-122 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-123 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-126 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA STS-130 (Shuttle flight) Mission NASA Vanguard 1 Mission NASA Transit 1B Mission NASA Echo 1 Mission NASA Telstar 1 Mission NASA Syncom 3 Mission NASA ATS‑6 Mission NASA Skynet Mission NASA Nimbus‑1 Mission NASA Nimbus‑7 Mission NASA ERS-1 Mission NASA SeaSat Mission NASA QuikSCAT Mission NASA Jason‑1 Mission NASA Jason‑3 Mission NASA ICESat Mission NASA Earth Observing‑1 Mission NASA Orbiting Carbon Observatory‑2 Mission NASA CYGNSS Mission NASA PACE Mission NASA TRMM Mission NASA Terrestrial Planet Finder (cxl) Mission NASA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) Mission NASA Explorer 33 Mission NASA Voyager Interstellar Mission Mission NASA Helios‑A Mission NASA Helios‑B Mission NASA ISEE‑3 (ICE) Mission NASA ACE Mission NASA DSCOVR Mission NASA IBEX Mission NASA Solar Orbiter Heliospheric Imager Mission NASA SAGE‑III ISS Mission NASA SPACE Telescope Imaging Spectrograph Mission NASA ARIEL (ESA/NASA) Mission NASA OSAM‑1 (Restore‑L) Mission NASA Dragonfly (Titan rotorcraft) Mission NASA VERITAS (Venus orbiter) Mission NASA DAVINCI (Venus probe) Mission NASA SPHEREx Mission NASA MAGGIE (Mars Geophysical) Mission NASA CLPS – Peregrine Mission NASA CLPS – VIPER Delivery Mission NASA CAPSTONE Mission NASA Gateway (HALO / PPE) Mission NASA Mars Telecommunication Orbiter (cxl) Mission NASA Mars Polar Lander (MPL) Mission NASA Mars Climate Orbiter Mission NASA Pathfinder Mission Mission NASA SLS Block 1B (Exploration Upper Stage) Mission NASA Orion Crew Module Mission NASA Commercial LEO Destinations – Axiom Station Mission NASA ISS Expedition 1 Mission NASA ISS Expedition 70 Mission NASA CRS‑11 (Dragon) Mission NASA CRS‑21 (Dragon 2) Mission NASA Snoopy CubeSat Mission
ISRO Space Missions
NVS-02 ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-A ISRO Space Mission SPADEX-B ISRO Space Mission Proba-3 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-N2 ISRO Space Mission EOS-08 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DS ISRO Space Mission XPoSat ISRO Space Mission Aditya-L1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-3 ISRO Space Mission NVS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-07 ISRO Space Mission INS-2B ISRO Space Mission EOS-06 ISRO Space Mission EOS-02 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-24 ISRO Space Mission INS-2TD ISRO Space Mission EOS-04 ISRO Space Mission EOS-03 ISRO Space Mission CMS-01 ISRO Space Mission EOS-01 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-30 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2BR1 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan 2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2B ISRO Space Mission EMISAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-31 ISRO Space Mission Microsat-R ISRO Space Mission GSAT-7A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-11 ISRO Space Mission HysIS ISRO Space Mission GSAT-29 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1I ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6A ISRO Space Mission INS-1C ISRO Space Mission Microsat ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1H ISRO Space Mission GSAT-17 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-19 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-9 ISRO Space Mission Cartosat-2 Series Satellite INS-1A ISRO Space Mission INS-1B ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2A ISRO Space Mission GSAT-18 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3DR ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1G ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1F ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-15 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-6 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1D ISRO Space Mission Crew module Atmospheric Re-entry Experiment (CARE) ISRO Space Mission GSAT-16 ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1C ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1B ISRO Space Mission GSAT-14 ISRO Space Mission Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraft GSAT-7 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3D ISRO Space Mission IRNSS-1A ISRO Space Mission SARAL ISRO Space Mission GSAT-10 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-1 ISRO Space Mission Megha-Tropiques ISRO Space Mission GSAT-12 ISRO Space Mission GSAT-8 ISRO Space Mission RESOURCESAT-2 ISRO Space Mission YOUTHSAT ISRO Space Mission GSAT-5P ISRO Space Mission GSAT-4 ISRO Space Mission Oceansat-2 ISRO Space Mission RISAT-2 ISRO Space Mission Chandrayaan-1 ISRO Space Mission IMS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4CR ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4B ISRO Space Mission SRE-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-4A ISRO Space Mission HAMSAT ISRO Space Mission EDUSAT ISRO Space Mission IRS-P6 / RESOURCESAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3E ISRO Space Mission GSAT-2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3A ISRO Space Mission KALPANA-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3C ISRO Space Mission GSAT-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-3B ISRO Space Mission Oceansat(IRS-P4) ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2E ISRO Space Mission IRS-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2D ISRO Space Mission IRS-P3 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1C ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2C ISRO Space Mission IRS-P2 ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1E ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-2A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-C ISRO Space Mission IRS-1B ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1D ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1C ISRO Space Mission SROSS-2 ISRO Space Mission IRS-1A ISRO Space Mission SROSS-1 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1B ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-D2 ISRO Space Mission INSAT-1A ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-II ISRO Space Mission Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment (APPLE) ISRO Rohini Satellite RS-D1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Satellite RS-1 ISRO Space Mission Rohini Technology Payload (RTP) ISRO Space Mission Bhaskara-I ISRO Space Mission Aryabhata ISRO Space Mission
Home / IAS Preparation / Jacobins

Jacobins- Their Rise, Ideology & Role in French Revolution for UPSC Exam!

Last Updated on Nov 20, 2023
Also Read Jacobins in Hindi
Download As PDF
IMPORTANT LINKS
Agriculture Notes For UPSC Public Administration UPSC Notes Modern History Books For UPSC Overseas Citizen Of India Caste System & Panchayati Raj Godavari River Federalism In India Indira Point New Development Bank Battle Of Sinhagad Sankalp And Strive Schemes Digital India High Yielding Varieties Economic Growth Development League Of Nations Ease Of Doing Business Mid Day Meal Scheme Wildlife Protection Act 1972 UPSC Notes International Union Conservation Nature

A Jacobin referred to a member of the Jacobin Club, a prominent political movement during the French Revolution from 1789 to 1799. The club derived its name from its meeting place, the Jacobin monastery on rue Saint-Honoré in Paris. The Jacobins were an influential political group during the French Revolution, advocating for the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. They are often associated with the violent period known as the "Terror" during the Revolution. Originally called the Society of the Friends of the Constitution, the group became the Society of the Jacobins, Friends of Freedom and Equality. It was the most influential political club during the French Revolution. The name "Jacobin Club" was derived from where the group gathered, the Jacobin monastery.

This topic of Jacobins is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination, which falls under General Studies Paper 2 (mains) and particularly in the World History Section. You can also register for the best coaching for history optional and begin your UPSC IAS preparation journey with Testbook.

In this article, we shall discuss the Jacobins, the French Revolution, Jacobins ideology, the role of Jacobins in France, rise and fall of Jacobins.

Learn about Colonialism for the UPSC Exam here!

Jacobins – An Overview
  • The Jacobin Club was founded in 1789 by representatives from Brittany and other regions of France.
  • The club was originally called the Society of the Friends of the Constitution. Still, it became known as the Jacobin Club because its meetings were held in a former Dominican convent.
  • The Jacobins were a group of French revolutionaries who supported centralization, more equal formal rights, and moderate authoritarianism.
  • They also supported extensive government intervention to bring about social change.
  • The leader of jacobin club was Maximilien Robespierre.
  • The Jacobins were known for their brutality and egalitarianism.
  • They supported nationalism, universal male suffrage, church autonomy, and higher education.
  • Jacobinism and the destruction of the old order led to a growing revolutionary spirit throughout Europe, which helped to lay the foundations for new political ideologies.
  • Jacobins rejected the upper-class fashion of knee breeches, wearing striped pants and a shirt instead. This became known as sans-culottes, meaning "without breeches."
  • The Jacobins were divided into two main groups:
    • The Montagnards, or Mountains, were the most radical group led by Robespierre.
    • The Girondists were less radical than the Montagnards and eventually clashed with them. During the Reign of Terror, many Girondists were executed for opposing Robespierre.

Read this article on Decolonization for the UPSC Exam here!

FREEMentorship Program by
Ravi Kapoor, Ex-IRS
UPSC Exam-Hacker, Author, Super Mentor, MA
100+ Success Stories
Key Highlights
Achieve your Goal with our mentorship program, offering regular guidance and effective exam strategies.
Cultivate a focused mindset for exam success through our mentorship program.
2 Lakh+ Students Mentored Get
Get Free Mentorship Now
UPSC Beginners Program

Get UPSC Beginners Program SuperCoaching @ just

₹50000

Claim for free
Want to know more about this pass ?
Explore SuperCoaching

Rise of the Jacobin Club in France
  • After the Jacobin era, the ideology of Jacobinism persisted, with supporters like Francois-Noel Babeuf.
  • Babeuf, initially a supporter of Robespierre, later rejected Jacobin's power and embraced the conclusions of the Terror.
  • He organized a failed uprising in May 1796, known as the Conspiracy of Equals, against the Montagnard Constitution of 1793, with the assistance of neo-Robespierrists.
  • Babeuf's political philosophy advocated for an egalitarian distribution of land and property, enforced by a government led by the Equals.
  • This ideology was a form of neo-Jacobinism and early communism. Later referred to as "Babeuvism" after the publication of Filippo Buonaroti's book "History of Babeuf's Conspiracy" in 1828.
  • Blanqui, a socialist firebrand, and revolutionary of the 19th century, established Blanquism.
  • He held Jacobin leaders of the Terror, such as Robespierre and Saint-Just, in high regard.
  • His knowledge of Buonarroti suggests that Babeuvism also impacted his beliefs.
  • Responding to critics who claimed to be Jacobin descendants during the French Revolution 1848.
  • Blanqui remarked, "Our self-styled Montagnards are a parody, indeed a very poor copy, of the Girondins."

Also, read Sykes-Picot Agreement here!

Role of Jacobins in the French Revolution

The role of Jacobins in the French Revolution is described below:

  • The Fall of the Jacobins:
    • After Robespierre revealed a new list of Republic opponents but refused to divulge the names, the Convention overthrew him and the Jacobins.
    • In the “Coup of Thermidor,” fellow deputies were arrested.
    • The “Thermidorians.” shut down the Jacobin club.
  • In the Legislative Assembly:
    • The moderate Feuillants increased their influence while being in the minority because they felt mistreated by the king’s rejection of constitutional monarchy.
    • Believed to have inspired the Sans Culottes in the Tuileries Attack and the September Massacre.
    • The cause of an increase in calls for a republic.
    • A symbol of the Revolution’s rising radicalism and republican leanings, together with the Sans Culottes.
  • Control during the Terror:
  • The Jacobins held sway over the Committee of Public Safety, which, after the collapse of the Girondins, effectively ruled France and took on the role of the Terror.
  • A teenage Girondin named Charlotte Corday assassinated Marat in a rural protest against what was viewed as Jacobin radicalism.
  • The federalist insurrection, also known as resistance to the defeat of the Girondins and Jacobin control, arose in the provinces. For instance, once the city’s Jacobin authorities were put to death, troops had to be deployed to Marseilles to reclaim the city. Due to the different revolts’ lack of coordination, the Girondins were able to recover control.
  • Sans Culottes’ calls for drastic action in the face of ongoing conflict and counterrevolution, grain shortages, famine, and unemployment prompted the Jacobins to declare that “Terror is the order of the Day.”
  • Terrorism was now organized and “became for the first time a planned policy of a government,” under the control of the Jacobins through the Committee of Public Safety.
  • The Jacobins supervised the “Dechristianization” of France.
  • Robespierre discussed establishing a new “Republic of Virtue”—a new society—through racial purges and terror.

French Revolution

  • It was a watershed event in world history between the 1780s-1790s.
  • It not only shook France but also brought revolutionary changes across the world.
  • It challenged the socio-political structure of France and resulted at an end to French feudalism by taking over power from the Catholic church.
  • It led to the origin of three fundamental principles of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

Check out this article on French Revolution for a detailed understanding of the topic for UPSC Exam!

The Jacobins Ideology

In contrast to other French Revolutionary groups, the Jacobins backed private property rights but had a stronger affinity for the middle class. Their approach to economics was designed to promote stability and keep costs low for employees and the poor. Despite favoring a liberal market approach, they adopted a more interventionist economic policy since they were people-centric.

  • The Jacobins encouraged the broader French population to feel a sense of freedom and patriotism. They were viewed as a political movement that was less self-centered, more patriotic, and more understanding of the French people.
  • The Jacobins were identified as constitutionalists committed to upholding the Declaration of Human Rights' premise of “preserving the natural rights of liberty, property, security, and opposition to oppression.”
  • The Jacobins denounced both religion and atheism. To displace Catholicism, they founded alternative religious movements, such as the Cult of Reason and, eventually, the Cult of the Supreme Being.
  • As the inheritors of a war that threatened the very existence of the Revolution at the time of their ascension to power, they promoted purposeful government-organized religion as a solution for both the rule of law and a replacement for mob violence.
    •  Once in charge, the Jacobins effectively finished the Ancien Regime’s overthrow and protected the Revolution from military defeat.
  • They strengthened French republicanism and made significant contributions to the secularism and feeling of nationalism that continue to characterize all French republican regimes to this day.

Also, read this article on Fascism.

France’s Reign of Terror

The "Reign of Terror" emerged during the French Revolution, marked by numerous mass killings and public executions. It took place in the aftermath of the establishment of the First Republic. These events were driven by revolutionary fervor, anti-clerical sentiment, and treason accusations by the Committee of Public Safety. After the assassination of Maximilien Robespierre in July 1794, the Thermidorian Reaction seized power. It used the term "Terror" to describe this period and justify their actions.

  • The Committee of Public Safety dominated the new National Convention.
  • Under Robespierre's leadership, the Committee became dictatorial during the Reign of Terror.
  • Robespierre aimed to eliminate all enemies of the Revolution and uphold the country's "virtue."
  • Approximately 16,000 people were executed by guillotine between September 1793 and July 1794.
  • Moderates and radical figures were executed, leaving few leaders of the French Revolution remaining.
  • Robespierre's proclamation of a new religion centered on the Supreme Being and the death of popular Committee member George-Jacques Danton fueled hostility.
  • Robespierre was determined to prevent the failure of the French Revolution and suppress any opposition to the revolutionary government to prevent the restoration of the monarchy.
  • After a year of his harsh rule, the revolutionary leaders turned against Robespierre, leading to his arrest and execution by guillotine.

Guillotine

  • It was a device that Dr. Guillotine discovered.
  • The device consisted of two poles and a blade.
  • It was used for beheading people.
  • It was the first device to be discovered that would lead to reduced pain among the victims.

Also, read about the Roman Empire for the UPSC Exam here!

The Fall Of The Jacobin Government

The causes of the fall of the Jacobin administration were:

  • Many people who were viewed as “enemies” of the republic, i.e., those who disagreed with the stringent measures imposed by Robespierre, were executed.
  • A maximum ceiling was placed on wages and the price of basic products.
  • The government introduced rationing of products which increased the sufferings of the people and became a reason for the fall of the Jacobin government.
  • Resentment among the clergy was raised when churches were closed and turned into barracks or offices.

Also check: The Protestant Reformation – Beginning, Expansion and Impacts

Check out the test series for UPSC IAS Exam here.

We hope all your doubts regarding the Jacobins are addressed after going through this article. Testbook provides comprehensive notes for different competitive examinations. It has always assured the quality of its product like content pages, live tests, Gk and current affairs, mocks, and so on.Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!

More Articles for IAS Preparation

Jacobin FAQs

The Jacobin Club, often known as the Jacobins, was a political organization associated with the violent extremism of the French Revolution. The Society of the Friends of the Constitution, which was founded in 1789, was also known as the Jacobin Club because it met in a former Dominican convent.

During the French Revolution, the Jacobins belonged to a French republican group known as the Jacobin Club. Left-leaning rebels known as the Jacobins sought to overthrow King Louis XVI and establish a French republic.

Maximilien Robespierre was the leader of the Jacobin Club.
Report An Error
Exams Tests Super Practice