The Reign of Terror
Know: key events in the Terror
Understand: the causes of these changes
Be able to: explain why the Terror took place
Vocabulary
Electors- an individual qualified to vote
in an election.
Coup d’etat- a sudden overthrow of
government.
War with Austria
The Pre-emptive War with Austria…..
France was losing at first.…
Reign of Terror
Video
Radical Revolution and Reaction- Summary
● 1792 the National Convention takes control of
France.
● Parisian Radicals demanded universal male
suffrage and a republic. A new government,
under the influence of the radical Jacobins,
voted to execute the king in Jan 21, 1793.
● In response to the Kings execution; Austria,
Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch
Republic took up arms against France.
● Over 1 million French citizens were called to arms
to fight foreign armies in 1794. A radical group of
12 men , the Committee of Public Safety led by
Robespierre, ruled and began to execute
“enemies of the state” during a year-long Reign of
Terror. (>40,000 people executed)
● In 1794 French armies defeated their enemies,
and Robespierre’s radicalism led to his own
execution. A moderate government, the Directory,
oversaw militaries victory but could not solve
France’s economic problems.
● Directory created the Constitution of 1795,
which had 2 houses chosen by electors
● The Directory became corrupt and
continued to bankrupt France. It
relied on the military to enforce its
decrees but was widely unpopular.
● In 1799 the successful and popular
general Napoleon Bonaparte
overthrew the Directory in a coup
d’etat and seized power.
Move to Radicalism & The Terror
Important political clubs: Peasants in western France, as well
as many in France’s major cities,
• The Girondins – represented refused to accept the authority of
those outside Paris the Convention.
• The Mountain – represented After Louis was executed, a
Paris radicals coalition of Austria, Prussia, Spain,
• Jacobins – thought the king Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch
needed to be executed, started Republic took up arms against
the Terror France.
p.19
3-
194
Robespierre
• Robespierre was originally a
lawyer.
• He resigned as a judge
because he opposed the
death penalty.
• Attended the Estates-General
and National Assembly
• Supported the Women’s
March on Versailles.
• Later became more radical
and supported the Jacobins.
• Dominated the Committee of
Public Safety.
The Reign of Terror: Key Facts
• Lasted from September
1793 to July 1794
• Led by the Committee of
Public Safety
• Wanted to change society-
create a “Republic of Virtue”
• Almost 40,000 were killed
across France, including
16,000 by guillotine
• Clergy and nobles made up
15% of victims, rest from
Third Estate
A Nation in Arms
Total
• Young men will fight, young men are War
called to conquer.
• Married men will forge arms, transport One
military baggage and guns and will
million
prepare food supplies.
soldiers
• Women, who at long last are to take their
rightful place in the revolution … will
Conquered
make tents and they will extend their
the
tender care to shelters where the
Netherland
defenders of the Patrie [homeland] will
s
receive the help that their wounds
require.
• Children will make lint of old cloth. It is for
People’s
them that we are fighting…
Governmen
• And old men, performing their missions t,
again…will be guided to the public People’s
squares of the cities where they will
Army
kindle the courage of young warriors and
preach the doctrines of hate for kings and
the unity of the Republic.
The End of the Reign of Terror
• Even after defeating its
enemies, the Reign of
Terror continued.
• Robespierre was
obsessed with finding
and killing enemies.
• His opponents gathered
enough votes against
him and he too was
guillotined on July 28
1794.
• The Reign of Terror was
“The revolution is like officially over.
Saturn, eating its own
children”
Recap - Documentary
Plenary
Why did the French government use force
against its own people?
French Revolution Documen
tary Radicalism
Key people:
Key Events
• Danton – Head of
• September Massacres Paris Commune,
• Trial of Louis XVI first president of
• Execution the Committee of
Public Safety
French Revolution Documen
tary Recap
Key Events Key people:
• Fall of the Bastille • Robespierre –
lawyer and leading
• Declaration of the
member of the
Rights of Man Constituent
• Arrest of Louis XVI Assembly
• Attempted escape • Marat – newspaper
• The Guillotine publisher
• Louis XVI – king of
• War with Austria
France
• Birth of the French • Marie Antoinette –
Republic queen of France
