Comité Révolutionnaire

one of the local administrative bodies of the Jacobin dictatorship during the French Revolution. The comités révolutionnaires were initially created by the Convention in March 1793 to exercise surveillance over foreigners. They were organized in all the communes and sections, or districts, of the cities. Each comité had 12 members elected by a majority vote of the communes and sections. Former members of the nobility and the clergy could not be elected. Primarily responsible for enforcing revolutionary laws, maintaining public security, and instituting safety measures, the comités also played an important role in mobilizing the army and enforcing the Law of the Maximum and other political measures enacted by the government. In addition, they compiled lists of the suspected opposition and had the authority to issue arrest warrants. They depended on the support of the popular masses. The comités révolutionnaires ceased to function with the fall of the Jacobin dictatorship in July 1794.