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The First Republic (1792-1804)
The First Republic comes after the constitutional monarchy. It is heir to the French Revolution and is proclaimed on 22 September 1792.
Key points of the sheet
- At that time, France faces many threats. There are wars with other countries and revolts inside the country.
- To protect the Republic, the government sets up the Terror (la Terreur). It uses the guillotine against those it sees as traitors. Louis XVI is executed in 1793.
- Maximilien Robespierre is a central figure of the French Revolution. He is famous for his commitment to equality and the Republic, and for leading the Terror.
- In 1799, Napoléon Bonaparte takes power: the Consulate (Consulat) begins. The First Republic ends on 18 May 1804, when he is proclaimed emperor.
- The citizen is no longer the subject of a king. He is a member of a Republic, where power comes from the people.
- The gradual separation of Church and State reduces religious influence. The will to separate them announces the gradual introduction of secularism (laïcité).
- The First Republic reorganises the administration of the territory. It creates the départements, which improve the management and control of the regions.
Words to know
- constitutional monarchy (monarchie constitutionnelle)
- It is the period that comes just before the First Republic.
- the Terror (la Terreur)
- The government sets it up to protect the Republic. It strictly watches the enemies of the Revolution and uses the guillotine.
- guillotine
- The government uses it against those it considers traitors.
- the Consulate (Consulat)
- It is the period that begins in 1799, when Napoléon Bonaparte takes power.
- secularism (laïcité)
- The wish to separate Church and State announces its gradual introduction.
- départements
- The First Republic creates them. They improve the management and control of the regions.
Test yourself: 3 questions
Who led the Terror?
In French, the language of the exam: Qui a dirigé la Terreur ?
Robespierre is a central figure of the Revolution. He is famous for leading the Terror.
What does the First Republic create to manage the territory?
In French, the language of the exam: Que crée la Ière République pour gérer le territoire ?
The First Republic reorganises the administration of the territory by creating the départements.
In what year does Napoléon Bonaparte take power?
In French, the language of the exam: En quelle année Napoléon Bonaparte prend-il le pouvoir ?
In 1799, Napoléon Bonaparte takes power and the Consulate period begins.
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Questions on the ministry's list that rest on this sheet
- Which king of France was executed during the French Revolution?
- Which political regime was proclaimed in France in 1792, during the Revolution?
More in this topic (Political regimes since 1789)
- The Fourth Republic (1946-1958)
- The Restoration and the July Monarchy (1815-1848)
- The Third Republic (1870-1940)
Source
Sheet “La Ière République (1792-1804)” of the French Ministry of the Interior: formation-civique.interieur.gouv.fr. Content published under the Etalab Open Licence 2.0. This page is a plain-language adaptation made by Hexaciv, which is not an official site: if in doubt, the ministry's text is the one that counts.
Ministry sheet read on 23 October 2026, still identical on 25 October 2026.