The Reign of Terror Preview Activity: What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “Reign of Terror?”

Objective: Fri. Dec. 6th Objectives: –You will become familiar with the Reign of Terror and the effects it had on France –You will be able to analyze a document by Robespierre and write from the perspective of a person from the French Revolution. Procedures: 1.French Revolution and Reign of Terror Notes 2.Document Analysis 3.Writing Assignment Reminder: 1. Turn in CD Covers

The French Revolution

Attacking the Bastille During the meeting, Louis XVI moved troops into Paris and Versailles The people of Paris thought the troops were going to attack the National Assembly On July 14, 1789, the people of France attacked the Bastille prison, looted it for weapons, and destroyed it A new people’s army called the National Guard was formed by General Lafayette Peasants revolted all across France

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Said that all men were equal Freedom of speech, press, religion, and right to fair trial Olympe de Gouges— wrote Declaration of the Rights of Women— National Assembly rejected it

The Constitution of 1791 Limited the authority of the king + created 3 branches of government Tax-paying male voters elected new members to the Legislative Assembly Louis XVI secretly plotted to overthrow the new gov’t and wore a disguise to flee France and get help—he was recognized and arrested

War! Austria and Prussia encouraged European leaders to go to war against France to reinstate Louis XVI In April 1792, the Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria France did poorly in war--there were several uprisings in Paris Radicals took over Paris city gov’t (Commune) August 1792—The Commune suspended the office of king and imprisoned Louis and family With no more king, they needed a new constitution

New Government Girondins—feared a gov’t dominated by Paris Jacobins—wanted a gov’t dominated by Paris—they were radicals who wanted reforms for all classes Jean-Paul Marat—led the Jacobins Louis XVI was found guilty of treason against France He was beheaded by the guillotine along with his wife

Committee of Public Safety CoPS—group that was put in charge of the military Conscription—Unmarried, able- bodied men between 18 and 25 had to join the army—men from any class could become officers Counterrevolutionaries—people who were against the revolution Most were Girondins and were arrested Charlotte Corday assassinated Marat while he was taking a bath— she earned a date with the guillotine

The Reign of Terror September 1793-July 1794 (20,000-40,000 deaths) Led by Maximilien Robespierre and Georges-Jacques Danton Law of Suspects—listed enemies of the revolution These enemies were executed via the guillotine (national razor) Included nobility as well as bourgeoisie and peasants Robespierre became paranoid and fanatical and had Danton beheaded Robespierre’s allies feared him and he was arrested and killed via the guillotine—Reign of Terror ended

French Revolution Journal Assignment Objective: Write a one page journal entry as someone living in France during the French Revolution in You can choose to write from the point of view of a member of any of the 3 Estates—clergy, nobility, middle class/peasant or the point of view of the king or queen or any other revolutionary. Your journal entry should include specific information discussed in our notes. Your journal entry should include your personal feelings about the things happening around you in France.

Document Questions 1.According to Robespierre, why is it pointless to look in books for the origins of the French Revolution? 2.What is the function of government? 3.How is constitutional government different from revolutionary government? 4.What is Robespierre’s definition of revolution? When is a constitution necessary? 5.How is the revolution different for citizens and enemies of the revolution? 6.Is this document convincing? Does Robespierre do a sufficient job explaining why the revolution is necessary and why people must die? Why or why not?