The Revolution Turns Violent

The Great Fear Prior to the Reign of Terror, there was a wave of senseless panic throughout France. The peasants became outlaws and terrorized the nobles. Women violently marched to Versailles, angry about the rising price of bread. They killed a few guards and forced Louis and Marie to move back to Paris to deal with the problems of France.

What happened to King Louis XVI? Jan. 21, 1793 Oct. 16, 1793

Why did they execute the King? *Summer 1792- Mobs have more power than the French government. *Jacobins= Radical group that wanted to remove the King and establish a republic. *Louis XVI was considered an enemy of the revolution. *Temporary governments set up, but had no power over the radicals.

The Reign of Terror 1793-1794 The period in France after King Louis’ execution. 30,000-40,000 executed during the 1 year period. 85% were members of the Third Estate.

Committee of Public Safety Established April, 1793 Robespierre became the leader in the summer 1793. Decided who was an enemy of the republic. People were tried and often guillotined the same day

Who was Robespierre? Governed France as a dictator Many were executed for minor crimes like cutting down the liberty tree. People started realizing that nobody was safe. He was executed in 1794 = end of the Reign of Terror.