1. Lec~3 (Ch. 18 615-624) Obj: Understand the cause for the
The Reign of Terror
The "Radical" Phase
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Lec~3 (Ch ) Obj: Understand the cause for the
terror and its results 1

2. Committee of Public Safety (COPS) Goal: To save the Revolution
Oversee & speed up the work of the gov. during this crisis
16,000 – 50,000 executed. responsible for the pursuit of counter-revolutionaries, the Law of General Maximum
September 5, 1793.
Limited prices of grain & other essentials to 1/3 above the 1790 prices & wages to ½ of 1790 figures.
Prices would be strictly enforced.
Hoarders rooted out and punished.
Food supplies would be secured by the army!
treatment of suspects, & other internal security matters.
Law of Suspects
September 17, 1793.
This law was so widely drawn that almost anyone not expressing enthusiastic support for the republic could be placed under arrest!
Goal: To save the Revolution 2

3. Leaders of the Terror (1793-94)
Marat (1744 – 1793)
Danton (1759 – 1794)
Maximilien
Robespierre
(1758 – 1794) 3

4. Were you an “enemy of the people?” (very broad)
The Reign of Terror
Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible. -- Robespierre
The Revolutionary Tribunal of Paris
Were you an “enemy of the people?” (very broad)
Executed 2,639 victims in 15 months
Victims nationwide~ over 20,000!
300,000 arrested 4

5. Different Social Classes Executed7% 8%
28%
25%
31%
“Let terror be the order of the day!” 5

6. Religious Terror: De-Christianization (1793-1794)
The Catholic Church symbol of counter-revolution & Ancient Régime
Religion had no place in a rational, secular republic
The adoption of a new Republican Calendar:
Abolished Sundays & religious holidays.
months named after seasonal features.
7-day weeks replaced by 10-day decades.
the yearly calendar was dated from the creation of the Republic [Sept. 22, 1792] 6

7. No God! No Religion! No King! No Constitution!
The Radical’s Arms:
No God! No Religion! No King! No Constitution! 7

8. The “Monster” Guillotine
The last guillotine execution in France was in 1939! 9

9. The “Thermidorean Reaction,” 1794 The Arrest of Robespierre
July 26  Robespierre gives a speech illustrating new plots & conspiracies
alienated members of COPS
July 27  the Convention arrests Robespierre
July 28  Robespierre is tried & guillotined
The Arrest of Robespierre 10

10. The Revolution Consumes Its Own Children!
Robespierre Lies Wounded Before the Revolutionary Tribunal that will order him to be guillotined, 1794.
Danton Awaits Execution, 1793 11

11. The Death of Marat Jacques Louis David 1793 ~ Neoclassical
Marat…radical of revolution killed by counter-revolutionary
by Charlotte Corday
Jacques Louis David
1793 ~ Neoclassical
Paul Jacques Aimee 19c. Romanticism 12

12. Revolutionary Accomplishments by the Convention
Destroyed the Ancient Regime
Overthrew the Monarchy
Brought church under gov. control
Continuing reform of schools & other social services
Abolished slavery within France (1791) French colonies (1794)
Legalized divorce and shared inheritance laws [even for illegitimate offspring] in an attempt to destroy inequalities 13

13. The N.C. Establishes… The Government of the Directory
Could not solve problems
1799 Napoleon Bonaparte seized power over France
coup d’ etat

14. Fun Stuff to Do… Living in the Past~ complete handout
Sample M.C questions (you have this)
Be ready for an LEQ tomorrow