The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

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The Reign of Terror was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, characterized by political purges and mass executions. Led by the Committee of Public Safety and figures like Robespierre, it aimed to suppress counter-revolutionary activities. The period saw religious reforms, the establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal, and the intensification of the Terror through laws that suspended the rights of the accused. The Terror's end came with the Thermidorian Reaction, which led to Robespierre's downfall and marked a shift towards moderation.

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Time span of the Reign of Terror

September 1793 to July 1794

Primary method of execution during the Terror

Guillotine

Estimated official executions during the Terror

Approximately 17,000 people

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The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

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Learn with Algor Education flashcards

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Time span of the Reign of Terror

September 1793 to July 1794

Primary method of execution during the Terror

Guillotine

Estimated official executions during the Terror

Approximately 17,000 people

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

Similar Contents

Explore other maps on similar topics

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The Jacobins and Girondins: Divergent Revolutionary Paths

The Jacobins, a political club that came to dominate the National Convention, advocated for a centralized republic and were willing to employ violence to purge the nation of perceived enemies. Their leader, Robespierre, became synonymous with the Terror. In contrast, the Girondins favored a more moderate approach and a federalist government structure. The rivalry between these factions intensified the political crisis, contributing to the justification for the Reign of Terror as a means to protect the Revolution.

Revolutionary Tribunal and the Suppression of Dissent

To address the threat of counter-revolution, the National Convention established the Revolutionary Tribunal in March 1793. This institution was tasked with identifying and prosecuting enemies of the state, leading to a wave of executions. Popular uprisings, such as the Federalist revolts and the radical sans-culottes' demands, further destabilized the country. The Tribunal became a tool for the Jacobins to consolidate power by eliminating the Girondins and other political opponents.

Religious Reforms and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy

The Revolution's approach to religion, particularly the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in 1790, aimed to bring the Catholic Church under state control and caused deep divisions within French society. The requirement for clergy to swear an oath of loyalty to the new constitution led to a schism, with many refusing and becoming 'refractory priests.' Efforts to establish a state-sponsored deistic religion, such as the Cult of the Supreme Being, were met with resistance and contributed to the unrest that the Terror sought to quell.

The Committee of Public Safety and the Intensification of the Terror

The Committee of Public Safety, formed in April 1793, was empowered to act as the executive government during the crisis. Its members, including Robespierre, utilized the Law of Suspects and the Law of 22 Prairial to streamline the process of trying and executing alleged counter-revolutionaries. These laws effectively suspended the rights of the accused, leading to a dramatic increase in the number of executions during the period known as the Great Terror.

Turning the Tide: Military Victories and the End of the Terror

The French military's success, particularly the victory at the Battle of Fleurus in June 1794, helped to alleviate the sense of emergency that had justified the Terror. As the external threat diminished, internal opposition to the excesses of the Terror grew. The Thermidorian Reaction, a coup within the National Convention on 27 July 1794, resulted in the arrest and execution of Robespierre and his close associates, effectively ending the Reign of Terror.

Legacy and Repercussions of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror left a complex legacy, with its extreme measures creating a sense of paranoia and disillusionment among the populace. The Thermidorian Reaction led to a period of relative moderation, but also to the White Terror, during which former Jacobins and radicals were targeted. The fall of Robespierre and the disbanding of the Jacobin Club marked a significant shift in the political landscape, as France continued to grapple with the consequences of the Revolution and the Terror.

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Causes of the Reign of Terror

Political instability and external threats

Radical Jacobins and moderate Girondins

Efforts to establish a state-sponsored religion

Implementation of the Reign of Terror

Creation of the Revolutionary Tribunal

Use of extreme measures by the Committee of Public Safety

Increase in executions during the Great Terror

Consequences of the Reign of Terror

Legacy of paranoia and disillusionment

Thermidorian Reaction and White Terror

Continued consequences of the Revolution and the Terror

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Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

What was the purpose of the Reign of Terror and who was in charge?

What events led to the start of the Reign of Terror?

How did the Jacobins and Girondins differ in their revolutionary visions?

What role did the Revolutionary Tribunal play during the French Revolution?

How did religious reforms during the Revolution contribute to the unrest?

What measures did the Committee of Public Safety implement to intensify the Terror?

What factors contributed to the conclusion of the Reign of Terror?

What was the aftermath of the Reign of Terror in France?

Similar Contents

Explore other maps on similar topics

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Concept Map

Summary

Outline

The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution

Causes of the Reign of Terror

Political instability and external threats

Radical Jacobins and moderate Girondins

Efforts to establish a state-sponsored religion

Implementation of the Reign of Terror

Creation of the Revolutionary Tribunal

Use of extreme measures by the Committee of Public Safety

Increase in executions during the Great Terror

Consequences of the Reign of Terror

Legacy of paranoia and disillusionment

Thermidorian Reaction and White Terror

Continued consequences of the Revolution and the Terror

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each card to learn more about the topic

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

What was the purpose of the Reign of Terror and who was in charge?

What events led to the start of the Reign of Terror?

How did the Jacobins and Girondins differ in their revolutionary visions?

What role did the Revolutionary Tribunal play during the French Revolution?

How did religious reforms during the Revolution contribute to the unrest?

What measures did the Committee of Public Safety implement to intensify the Terror?

What factors contributed to the conclusion of the Reign of Terror?

What was the aftermath of the Reign of Terror in France?

Similar Contents

Explore other maps on similar topics

The Emergence of the Reign of Terror in the French Revolution

Precipitating Factors of the Reign of Terror

The Jacobins and Girondins: Divergent Revolutionary Paths

Revolutionary Tribunal and the Suppression of Dissent

Religious Reforms and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy

The Committee of Public Safety and the Intensification of the Terror

Turning the Tide: Military Victories and the End of the Terror

Legacy and Repercussions of the Reign of Terror