Which was the greater threat to the Convention: The Uprising of Germinal or the Uprising of Prairial?

The French Revolution was a turbulent period characterized by numerous uprisings and political instability. The Convention, established in 1792, faced numerous challenges in its quest to establish a new political order. Amongst these challenges were two significant uprisings: the Uprising of Germinal (12 Germinal Year III, April 1, 1795), and the Uprising of Prairial (12 Prairial Year III, May 31, 1795). Both posed significant threats to the Convention, but the latter, the Uprising of Prairial, was arguably the more serious. This essay will argue that the Prairial uprising, with its armed nature, involvement of the National Guard, and the potential for the overthrow of the Convention, presented a greater threat than the largely symbolic Germinal uprising.

The Germinal uprising arose from discontent over the abolition of price controls on grain, leading to widespread hunger and economic hardship. While the uprising involved significant participation from the Parisian populace and a demonstration towards the Convention, it remained largely unarmed. The protesters did manage to gain access to the main hall and disrupt debates, showcasing their determination and the vulnerability of the Convention. However, their lack of weapons and the swift arrival of the National Guard ultimately prevented a full-blown insurrection. The fact that the demonstrators withdrew when confronted by the National Guard suggests their primary aim was to express dissatisfaction rather than overthrow the Convention. The subsequent repression, which was relatively light, further underscores the limited threat perceived by the Convention.

In contrast, the Prairial uprising presented a much more serious threat. It was an armed uprising, reminiscent of the insurrections of 1792 and 1793, involving significant sections of the National Guard. The murder of a deputy, a blatant attack on the Convention's authority, further underscored the gravity of the situation. The fact that the gunners of the Convention initially sided with the rebels, although they eventually refrained from firing, demonstrates the potential for the Convention to be overthrown.

The Prairial uprising, while ultimately suppressed, highlighted the fragility of the Convention's control. The uprising was quelled through a combination of force, the offer of bread to appease the hungry masses, and the division amongst the workers of Paris. Crucially, the loyalty of some units of the National Guard proved vital in restoring order. The ease with which the unrest was subdued, despite the initial threat, suggests that the Prairial uprising was a much more serious threat than the Germinal uprising. The Prairial uprising clearly demonstrated the potential for armed insurrection, the vulnerability of the Convention to internal dissent, and the precarious hold it had on power. This makes it arguably the greater threat compared to the more symbolic and ultimately unsuccessful Germinal uprising.

In conclusion, while both the Germinal and Prairial uprisings highlighted the Convention's vulnerabilities, the Prairial uprising posed a more serious threat. Its armed nature, involvement of the National Guard, and the potential for the overthrow of the Convention, distinguish it from the Germinal uprising, which was more of a demonstration of discontent than an attempt to seize power. The Prairial uprising served as a powerful reminder of the volatile political landscape of the French Revolution and the precarious nature of the Convention's authority.