The French Revolution: The Reign of Terror

The Overthrow of the Monarchy

• August 10, 1792, Uprising: The Jacobins, supported by Parisian masses who were angered by high prices and shortages, planned an insurrection.

• They stormed the Palace of the Tuileries, massacred the King's guards, and held the King himself as hostage for several hours.

• Later, the Assembly voted to imprison the royal family. Elections were held.

• Universal Male Suffrage: The new elected assembly, called the Convention, granted the right to vote to all men of 21 years and above, regardless of wealth.

• Abolition of Monarchy: On September 21, 1792, the Convention abolished the monarchy and declared France a Republic. A republic is a form of government where the people elect the government, including the head of the government. There is no hereditary monarch.

• Execution of the King: Louis XVI was tried by a court for treason and sentenced to death. On January 21, 1793, he was publicly executed at the Place de la Concorde. Queen Marie Antoinette met the same fate shortly after.

The Reign of Terror (1793–1794)

The period from 1793 to 1794 is known as the Reign of Terror.

• Maximilien Robespierre's Rule: Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the Jacobin Club, governed France with severe control and punishment.

• Strict Control and Punishment: He followed a policy of ruthless suppression of enemies of the Republic. This included ex-nobles, clergy, members of other political parties, and even members of his own party who disagreed with his methods.

• The Guillotine: Those deemed "enemies" were arrested, imprisoned, and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If the court found them guilty, they were executed by the guillotine. The guillotine is a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It was named after Dr. Guillotin, who invented it.

Robespierre's Drastic Policies

Robespierre's government enacted laws to implement his vision of equality.

• Wage and Price Control: Maximum ceilings were fixed on wages and prices.

• Rationing: Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government.

• The Equality Bread: The use of expensive white flour was forbidden; all citizens were required to eat the pain d’égalité (equality bread), a whole-wheat loaf.

• Abolition of Formal Address: Traditional forms of address were replaced: instead of the traditional Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam), all French men and women were henceforth Citoyen (Citizen) and Citoyenne (Citizeness).

• Closure of Churches: Churches were shut down and their buildings were converted into barracks or offices.

The End of the Reign of Terror

• Robespierre's policies were so relentless that even his own supporters began to demand moderation.

• Finally, in July 1794, he was convicted by a court, arrested, and on the next day, sent to the guillotine.

• The downfall of Robespierre brought an end to the Reign of Terror.

The next topic will explore how the fall of the Jacobin government paved the way for a new, conservative government structure.