The End of Terror France from 1793 to 1795

So who was RobesPierre? Maximilian Robespierre joined the committee of Public Safety on July 27, 1793. He was well liked because he could provide a link between middle-class Jacobins and the sans culottes. He was well liked because although he was very self-righteous, he truly wanted to improve the revolution in the name of vertu (‘virtue’ – moral excellence). In his view France with no principles and virtues, was not a France that had a full revolution. So he was going to restore virtue to France….(by killing people).

The Law of Suspects ... explained This was one of the most significant laws passed during the Terror. Essentially, the law of suspects allowed for the arrest, detainment and trial of any person in France who was not showing enough ‘revolutionary spirit’. Without any real definition of ‘counter revolutionary activity’, this law was abused by the committee of public safety. Prominent members of the National Convention such as Hebert, and Danton were tried and executed by guillotine because of this law.

The terror 1793-94 Over 300,000 people were arrested – and an estimated 17,000 (debateable) people were also executed. These stats do not include those who died in prison, or killed in combat in open revolt to the National Convention. A main reason so many people were arrested was because of the concept of reverse onus (a notion that you were guilty until you could prove yourself innocent). This placed a lot of control in the hands of the accuser. It should be noted that most people who were tried and killed were members of the 3rd estate and not actually nobles at all. This applied to the former Queen Marie Antoinette – who was executed in October of 1793, because of accusations by several peasants.

The Failing Popularity of the Committee Although the killings were very public and very well attended; by the summer of 1794 the popularity of the Committee of Public Safety was very low. The reasons for this are because the War was going well for France, and so the public saw no need for the strict controls (which were imposed because of the conflict). To offset this disorder, the Committee accelerated the amount of executions during late spring (in an attempt to control the public). This ended up working against the committee and much of the blame was placed on Robespierre.

Thermidorian Reaction (p. 34 in text) Robespierre became quickly discredited both politically and socially. The Thermidorians were the people who helped overthrow Robespierre. They were made up of members from prominent committees, as well as members of The Plain. Once Robespierre was removed from the Committee and politics altogether, he was captured and sent to the guillotine on July 24, 1794. This was the end of the Terror, and now the governing body of France had the task of rebuilding a new government (yet again).

Ending the Terror Between July 1794 and may 31, 1795 - the national convention was in damage control mode. They abolished the Revolutionary Tribunal, following the execution of 63 other terrorists. Released all suspects from prison. Closed the Jacobin Club. De-centralized the committees and restricted their power and influence over the National Convention. Government re-instituted the freedom of worship for all religions. Got rid of government price controls (December 1794). France was to use the free market system.

Tough Times for the Thermidorians The Germinal Rising – April 1st 1795. After a terrible winter with little industrial production 10,000 unarmed people protested the lack of food available in France. The reaction from the National Convention was one that showed authority, without using force as some of the protestors were sentenced to jail time. The Prairial Rising – May 20th 1795. Armed uprising that included workers, members of the national guard and housewives demanding access to free bread. (much of France was starving at this point in time) In the protest a government deputy was killed, prompting a reaction from the Convention the next day. *** task: read page 139 in the small book abd record the details of the Prairial Uprising**

The white Terror The white terror was an attack on ex-terrorists and all who had done well out of the revolution. The main goal of the white terror was to get vengeance on all of those who had been members of the popular societies and watch committees. The Whites were the people who had been imprisoned or subjected to revolutionary tribunals. ** more information on page 140 in the small book**

Homework Big History Book Source Analysis on page 35. Do question 1 a, b and 2. /*discuss* Do question 3 (add content in there!)