The 'last stand' of the Jacobin clubs

The reaction which followed the overthrow of Robespierre severely affected the Jacobin clubs. Their leaders were targeted for revenge by ex-prisoners and sometimes arrested by moderate representatives-on-mission. Also, their meetings were troubled as opportunists maneuvered to survive and members expelled before 9-10 Thermidor tried to regain power. In mortal danger, a minority of clubs made a kind of 'last stand.' Chambery, Marseille, Macon, and Dijon, in early Fructidor an II, sounded warnings to affiliates and proposed measures to perpetuate the Terror. The Paris society, from 11 Fructidor onward, encouraged such manifestations. Altogether, about two hundred clubs voiced complaints about the reaction. The forces of 'moderatism' were too strong, however, and the network was divided. By late Fructidor, clubs like Arras, Boulogne, Niort, and Tours were openly siding with moderates like Tallien and Merlin de Thionville against the Paris Jacobin society. In Vendemiaire, one by one, the remaining pro-Terrorist clubs fell victim to repression. La Derniere Bataille des clubs jacobins La reaction provoquee par la chute de Robespierre affecta profondement les clubs jacobins. Leurs leaders devinrent la cible des actes de vengeance des anciens prisonniers et furent parfois arretes par des representants-en-mission moderes. De meme, leurs reunions etaient souvent agitees a cause des manoeuvres auxquelles se livraient les opportunistes en vue de survivre, tandis que les membres expulses avant le 9-10 Thermidor s'efforcaient de reprendre le pouvoir. Se sentant gravement menacee, une minorite de clubs entreprit un ultime combat. Aux premiers jours de Fructidor de l'an II, Chambery, Marseille, Macon et Dijon mirent en garde leurs affilies et proposerent des mesures visant a perpetuer la Terreur. Des le 11 Fructidor le club parisien encouragea de telles manifestations. Au total environ 200 clubs se plaignirent de la reaction. Cependant les forces de la moderation s'avererent superieures et le reseau se fragmenta. Vers la fin de Fructidor des clubs tels que ceux d'Arras, Boulogne, Niort et Tours prirent ouvertement le parti des moderes comme Tallien et Merlin de Thionville, contre le club jacobin de Paris. En Vendemiaire les autres clubs preconisant le terrorisme succumberent un par un a la repression.