Louis-Antoine de Saint-Just (1767-1794) was a prominent figure of the French Revolution (1789-1799). After his election to the National Convention in September 1792, he led the push for the execution of King Louis XVI of France (r. 1774-1792) and was instrumental in the drafting of radical Jacobin legislation like the Ventôse Decrees and the Constitution of 1793.
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Definition
Timeline
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25 Aug 1767Louis-Antoine-Leon de Saint-Just, future Jacobin leader in the French Revolution, is born in central France.
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Oct 1786 - Apr 1787Saint-Just spends six months in a reformatory after running away to Paris with his mother's silver.
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14 Jul 1790Saint-Just attends the Festival of the Federation as a lieutenant-colonel in the National Guard.
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Sep 1792Shortly after turning 25, Saint-Just is elected to the National Convention. He is the youngest member.
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13 Nov 1792Saint-Just gives his maiden speech, arguing for the immediate execution of King Louis XVI of France.
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30 May 1793Saint-Just is added to the Committee of Public Safety.
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Oct 1793 - Dec 1793Saint-Just and Le Bas go to Alsace to discipline the French Army of the Rhine.
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6 Oct 1793Saint-Just and his colleagues finish work on the Constitution of 1793, the most democratic constitution of its day, after only 8 days.
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19 Feb 1794 - 6 Mar 1794Saint-Just serves as president of the National Convention, drafts the radical Ventôse Decrees.
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5 Apr 1794Saint-Just plays a major role in the downfall and execution of Georges Danton; his zealous support for the Reign of Terror earns him the nickname "Archangel of Terror".
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24 Jun 1794The French are victorious at the Battle of Fleurus; their armies remain ascendent for the rest of the War of the First Coalition.
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27 Jul 1794Robespierre and his followers are denounced by the National Convention and declared to be outlaws.
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28 Jul 1794Execution of Robespierre, Saint-Just, and Couthon; end to the Terror, beginning of the Thermidorian Reaction.
