who are jacobins

Formally known as theSociety of the Friends of the Constitution, theJacobin Clubwas the most famous and influential political club in the development of theFrench Revolution,so-named because of theDominicanconvent where they met, which had recently been located in theRue St. Jacques(Latin: Jacobus),Paris. The club originated as theClub Benthorn, formed atVersaillesfrom a group ofBretonrepresentatives attending theEstates General of 1789.There were thousands of chapters throughout France, with a membership estimated at 420,000.After thefall of Robespierrethe club was closed.

The club later became notorious for its implementationof theReign of Terror. To this day, the termsJacobinandJacobinismare used as pejoratives forradical,left-wingrevolutionary politics.It should not be confused withJacobitism.

The Jacobin Club was the most successful of the political clubs that were formed during the French Revolution. It derived its name from the convent of St. Jacobin in Paris. The members of this club belonged to less prosperous sections of the society. They consisted mainly of small shopkeepers, artisans like shoemakers, pastry-cooks, watch-makers, printers, servants and daily wage workers. Maximillian Robespierre was their leader. A large group among Jacobins preferred to wear long-striped trousers. In 1792, they planned an insurrection in Paris, caused by short supplies and high prices of food. They stormed the palace of Tuileries, massacred the guards and held the king hostage for several hours.

From 1793 to 1794, Robespierre unleashed a reign of terror through severe control and punishment of those seen as enemies of the Republic. Finally, he was arrested, convicted and guillotined in 1794.