Republic of Equals
Republic of Equals République des égaux (French) | |||||||||
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| 1796–1799 | |||||||||
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| Motto: Liberté, égalité, bonheur commun 'Liberty, Equality, Common Happiness' | |||||||||
| Anthem: Chant du départ ("Song of the Departure") | |||||||||
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| Capital | Paris | ||||||||
| Common languages | French | ||||||||
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| Demonym(s) | Égalien / Égalienne | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary radical revolutionary republic under an authoritarian Babouvist dictatorship | ||||||||
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• 1796-1799 | National Assembly | ||||||||
| Legislature | Assembly of Equals | ||||||||
| Historical era | French Revolutionary Wars | ||||||||
| 11 May 1796 | |||||||||
| 9 November 1799 | |||||||||
| ISO 3166 code | FR | ||||||||
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The Republic of Equals (French: République des égaux), also commonly referred to as Babouvist France, was the period in French history when France was governed under the principles of Babouvism, a proto-communist ideology advocated for by François-Noël Babeuf. It was founded on 11 May, 1796 after the Conspiracy of the Equals overthrew the Directory, and ended on 9 November 1799 with the Coup of 18 Brumaire by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The Republic was noted for its abolition of private property and its authoritarianism, modeled on the government of Robespierre during the Reign of Terror. The sister republics of France, most notably the Italian Social Republic and Batavian Commonwealth, were also transformed into communist states on the French model. The Napoleonic Coup largely reversed many of the reforms of the Babouvist government, although its authoritarianism would be continued by the Consulate, which was dominated by Napoleon.
The Republic of Equals is considered monumental in the history of communism and socialism as being recognized as the first 'true' communist state in history. Karl Marx acknowledged the Republic as well as Babeuf as one of his primary influences. Marx's interpretations of communism, known as Marxism, would go on to become the dominant form of communism in Europe by the turn of the 20th century. In France, Neo-Babouvist groups and parties would remain influential in the Second and Third French Republics.
History
Government
Babeuf's belief in a need for an authoritarian, popular and revolutionary dictatorship (not too dissimilar to the dictatorship of the proletariat later advocated by Marx) manifested itself in the form of a semi-direct democracy, in which representatives were elected via popular vote to administer day-to-day government, but which the people could call for referendums, initiatives, and recalls of representatives. Opposition parties and factions, notably the Thermidorians and Girondins, were banned by the Society of Equals.