French Revolution Storyboard Draw a picture representing each of the scenarios given. Box 1: Estates-General Meeting Box 2: Tennis Court Oath Box 3: Storming the Bastille Box 4: Ending special privileges for the 1st and 2nd estate Box 5: Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

Section 2 Reign of Terror Chapter 18 Section 2 Reign of Terror

Review Last time we met we talked about the causes and the events of the French Revolution. When we left off the king had officially accepted the National Assembly. In all, the French Revolution was proving to be a success.

Great Fear Rebellion spread from Paris into the countryside. A wave of senseless panic called the Great Fear spread through France. Peasants began to turn into outlaws They broke into nobles’ manor houses looking for old legal papers that bound them to pay feudal dues In some cases, they burned the manor houses

Reform The newly formed national assembly set themselves up with a separation of powers and the government had been officially changed by the people. For two years the National Assembly argued over a new constitution for France. Nat’l Assembly created a limited constitutional monarchy. Legislative Assembly - had the power to create laws and to approve or prevent any war the king declared on other nations. Despite the new government, old problems such as food shortages and government debt remained. So what happened to the King???

What Happened to Louis? Louis sent into exile. Then escaped. In the spring of 1792, Prussian and Austrian armies invade France and try to restore the Monarchy. The French people now had to protect their own country. Patriotic citizens then drove the Austrians/Prussians out of France. Exile?? Louis was not alone Maria Antoinette got the cut as well.

Jacobins During the chaotic summer of 1792, both men and women joined political groups. Most radical group was the Jacobins. They wanted to remove the king and establish a republic. Reduced Louis XVI’s role to that of a common citizen and prisoner. Then, guided by radical Jacobins they tried Louis for treason and found him guilty. Sentenced him to death. On Jan. 21, 1793 the ex-king was beheaded by a machine called the Guillotine. One of the first persons to be executed by the Guillotine.

Guillotine Thousands died by the Guillotine during the French Revolution. Dr. Joseph Guillotin proposed a machine that satisfied many needs: It was efficient, humane and democratic. Prior to the Guillotine’s introduction French criminals had suffered through horrible punishments. Burning, strangulation, hanging, dismemberment, beheading, being pulled apart by horses. Made a public spectacle to help deter criminal behavior. Helped keep restless armed mobs from attacking the government.

Guillotine

Arming the Army The new republic’s first problem was the continuing war with Austria and Prussia. Other European countries joined and with so many enemies France suffered a string of defeats. The French took extreme steps to meet the new danger. Instituted a draft Eventually grew to a force of 800,000 citizen-soldiers This citizen-army was eventually led by Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre and his supporters tried to wipe out every trace of France’s past monarchy and nobility.

Committee for Public Safety Under the command of Robespierre the Committee for Public Safety was formed. Main task of the Committee was to protect the revolution from its “enemies” The Committee for Public Safety and Robespierre put many men who had led the revolution to death. Who do you think these “enemies” were? These enemies were most often radicals that challenged his leadership.

Reign of Terror Between the 1793-1794 Robespierre governed France as a dictator which became known as “The Reign of Terror.” Historians believe as many as 40,000 people were executed. This included anyone thought to be loyal to the King or anyone that could be a problem for Robespierre.

No Rhyme or Reason Often times there was no rhyme or reason to the executions. The terror claimed not only the famous, such as Marie Antoinette, but thousands of unknown people (many of which were from the former 3rd Estate). Many fellow revolutionaries that challenged Robespierre’s leadership became victims. What do you think is ironic about the 3rd Estate being sent to death during the reign of terror? The only crimes that the fellow revolutionaries committed was being less radical than Robespierre

+ = Example of the Terror An 18 year old youth was sentenced to die for cutting down a tree that had been planted as a symbol of liberty. + Just think if a young man is being put to death for merely cutting down a tree….just what other things were individuals being executed for? =

An End to the Terror In July 1794, members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre. They began to fear for their own safety. They demanded his arrest and execution. The terror ended on July 25, 1794. Robespierre, the revolutions last powerful leader, was executed by way of guillotine. The national convention turned on Robespierre because they began to fear for their own safety.

The Aftermath After the execution of Robespierre and the end of the terror, public opinion in France shifted dramatically to the right (conservative). People were sick of the terror and the sky rocketing prices for bread, salt and other necessities of life.

Introducing the Directory In 1795, The National Convention drafted a new constitution. The new plan: Put power in the hands of the upper middle class (bourgeoisie). Created a two-house legislature Formed an executive body of five men known as the directory. What is the bourgeoisie again?

Success of the Directory Gave France a period of order. Directory found a new general to command the army (Napoleon Bonaparte).

Robespierre Justified? 1. Was Robespierre justified in killing thousands of people during the Reign of Terror? Why or why not? (Give 2 reasons minimum) 2. What would you have done if you were the head of the Committee of Public Safety about the “enemies” of the Revolution?