The French Revolution Part 5 The Terror

Danton Challenges the “Kings” Danton calls for an army to expand France to its natural borders, and to challenge the “Alliance of Kings” that was against it. Many Joined the army but the army suffered defeats …more were needed so… The Committee of Public Safety was formed to direct the War Summer 1793 The Committee began conscription (the draft) of 18-45 year olds to supply the army with men.

Jacobins vs. Girondists With the reactionaries eliminated from the Constitutional Convention those that remained were divided into… Jacobins, who, led by Danton, Marat and Robespierre…extreme radicals who saw themselves as the voice of people Girondists who were moderate and thought the revolution had gone far enough and wanted to protect the wealthy.

The Jacobins take power The Girondists accused the Jacobins pandering to the mob The Jacobins accused the Girondists of being secret Royalists, thus they gained control in the Convention and arrested the Girondist delegates Girondist supporters rebelled, one killed the Jacobin Marat… He was Guillotined

The Terror, July 1793-July 1794 The Jacobins, led by Robespeirre, used the Committee of Public Safety to persecute their political enemies. In order to make A “Republic of Virtue” with only “good” citizens (Those who agreed with them) Thousands were killed Eventually Danton led a popular revolt and although he was guillotined the revolt succeeded and the Terror ended

The Directory 1795-1799 In 1795 the convention finished a constitution in which only propertied men could vote A Bicameral legislature An Executive Council…the Directory When either the royalist or the “sans-culottes” (the poor) rebelled the Directory used the army…which grew in power