In 1792, the French people faced threats from outside France In 1792, the French people faced threats from outside France. Prussia and Austria went to war with France to aid the royal family. E. Napp

Later, Britain, Spain, and the Netherlands joined the fight against France. E. Napp

A powerful extremist group called the Jacobins convinced the French people that Louis XVI had plotted with Austria and Prussia. E. Napp

The Jacobins forced the Assembly to arrest the king and queen The Jacobins forced the Assembly to arrest the king and queen. The queen was Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria. E. Napp

The Jacobins created a dictatorship and fostered great fear among the people while simultaneously encouraging patriotism. E. Napp

Robespierre was a Jacobin and the leader of France’s Committee of Public Safety. Anyone considered an enemy of the republic was executed. E. Napp

Even the king and queen were executed. E. Napp

This period of violence is known as the Reign of Terror This period of violence is known as the Reign of Terror. But as Robespierre became more aggressive, people tired of the violence. E. Napp

Robespierre was finally barred from speaking in the National Convention and was arrested in July 1794. E. Napp

After a rescue attempt by some of his Paris supporters in July 1794 failed, Robespierre attempted to commit suicide. Badly wounded, he and some of his followers were taken to the guillotine to which he had sent so many. E. Napp