1. Aim: Describe the events and aftermath of the Reign of Terror

2. The Terror Grips Fear Jacobins had thousands of enemies within France
Included peasants, priests, and rival leaders
1793: Jacobins leader Maximilien Robespierre gained power
Set out to build a “republic of virtue” by wiping out every trace of France’s past
Changing the calendar, dividing the year into 12 months of 30 days, & renaming each month
July 1793, Robespierre became leader of the Committee of Public Safety
His rule became known as the Reign of Terror
Under Robespierre’s leadership, enemies were tried in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon 2

3. Enemies of the Revolution
The enemies who troubled Robespierre the most were fellow radicals who challenged his leadership
: many who led the revolution received death sentences
Only crime was that they were considered less radical than Robespierre
The terror claimed thousands of unknown people who were sentenced to death
Sentenced for flimsiest of charges
Ex: Cutting down a tree that was a symbol of liberty
As many as 40,000 were executed during the Terror 3

4. End of the Terror
July 1794: members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre
Demanded his arrest and execution
Reign of Terror (Radical phase of the Revolution) ended on July 28, 1794 when Robespierre went to the Guillotine
French public opinion started to shift
People were tired of skyrocketing prices for bread, salt
1795: Moderate leaders in the National Convention drafted a new plan of government (3rd since 1789)
Placed power in hands of upper middle class
Called for two-house legislature and executive body of 5 men (Directory) 4