The Reign of Terror
Ch. 3 (p. 84-85)
From Moderate Change to Radical
Extremism

Jacobins and sans-culottes (both radical
extremists) win out over moderate Girondists
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Leads to King Louis XVI’s execution
Girondists and other non-radicals arrested,
imprisoned, executed
This period (1793-1794) called the “Reign of
Terror”
COPS on the Beat

National Convention
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Created by Jacobins to replace the Legislative
Assembly
Executed Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
Creates Committee of Public Safety (COPS)
Led by Maximilien Robespierre
 Tracks down and punishes anyone who was
against the Revolution (meaning the Jacobins)
 Why this period was called the Reign of Terror

Robespierre
Behead First, Ask Questions Later

Committee of Public Safety follows the “Law
of Suspects”
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Designed to punish anyone who disagrees with
Jacobins
Allows for arrest any pre-Revolution nobles or
government workers
No certificate of citizenship = execution
People encouraged to rat on anyone suspicious
Within first year, 250 000 arrested and imprisoned
17 000 – 37 000 executions by guillotine in Reign
Contrôle Total

Jacobins completely reorganize France

Armed forces reorganized
All citizens must be involved in war efforts
 Drive enemies out of the country
 Revolts crushed
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Businesses regulated
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Prices and wages set by government
Food supply strictly monitored and protected
People suspected of taking advantage of high food
prices executed
 Further famine avoided
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Other Changes Made

Revolutionary Calendar

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Months temporarily renamed based on weather
Metric system introduced
New schools and universities established
Émigré property seized by government
Radicals Turn On Their Own

Anyone who challenged Robespierre was
severely punished

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Georges Danton executed in 1794
Leaders of the sans-culottes executed
People eventually fight back against Terror

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They feel COPS too powerful, not needed
anymore
Robespierre executed 1794

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Attempted suicide first, then arrested and guillotined
Reign of Terror is over
Robespierre’s Ironic Death
The Thermi-what-eans?

Jacobins replaced by Thermidoreans
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Named after month
Want peace
Take over National Convention
Thermidorean Rule
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Reduce power of Committee of Public Safety
Freed prisoners from jails
Restored many freedoms and rights
Directory Time

New government of France called “the
Directory”

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Controlled by bourgeoisie
Power going back into hands of the wealthy
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Only wealthy had the right to vote
France starting to revert back to class (or
Estate) system
Power would soon be taken away from
The Directory by Napoleon Bonaparte