The Reign of Terror

1. The Reign of Terror Robespierre and the Republic of Virtue

2. The Word on the Street • During the French Revolution, the new freedom of the press allowed newspapers and pamphlets to do things they had never done before • They freely criticized the government and addressed the concerns of the people • These papers were people’s link to the revolution • Some of these papers were very radical and often promoted fear and paranoia in the part of the people • The most infamous writer during this time was Jean Paul Marat • He supported the Jacobins and promoted violence and intolerance towards anyone who opposed radical reform • For example, Marat said that if the conservative elements of the National Assembly were not removed then . . . “Five or six hundred heads would have guaranteed your freedom and happiness but a false humanity has restrained your arms and stopped your blows. If you don’t strike now, millions of your brothers will die, your enemies will triumph and your blood will flood the streets. They'll slit your throats without mercy and disembowel your wives. And their bloody hands will rip out your children’s entrails to erase your love of liberty forever.”

3. The Committee of Public Safety • After the death of Louis and severe defeats on the battlefield, the National Assembly created the committee of Public Safety: a nine man group that would form the executive leadership of the country • The were led by Georges Danton • As time passed, the committee assumed more and more power • Eventually, they committee assumed dictatorial powers and ruled the country by emergency decree • One of the most influential members and spokesman for the group was a young lawyer named Maximilien de Robespierre • Robespierre would eventually replace Danton as leader (after Robespierre had Danton executed)

4. The Death of Marat • Marat was a member of the National Convention as well as a newspaper writer • Through his writing and political maneuvers, he attacked the Girodins, who he blamed for starting the war • He was influential in the destruction of Girodin power in the National Assembly and then the persecution of Girodins as traitors • One day, as Marat sat in a bath (because of a skin condition) he was stabbed to death by a female Girodin sympathizer • Marat became a martyr of the revolution and his death was the spark that started the reign of terror • The Jacobins became obsessed with destroying any elements in society that opposed the revolution

5. Maximilien de Robespierre • The leader of the Jacobins • A Lawyer before the Revolution • Brilliant • Fanatical • Visionary • Uncompromising • Incorruptible

6. The Reign of Terror • As the leader of the nation, Robespierre faced a difficult task • The countryside was still starving and violent • There were enemies of the revolution everywhere (royalists who wanted a return to monarchy, French Nobility plotting the downfall of the revolution in hiding, foreign invaders that were routing the French Army in every battle, everyday people who were unhappy with the current situation and wanted stability) • Robespierre fought back with “THE TERROR” • He demanded absolute conformity from everyone in society • Anyone who did not follow Robespierre’s rules (even minor infractions) were swiftly executed • In his time as leader of France, 18,000 people were beheaded in public

7. Robespierre Accomplishments Through terror, Robespierre accomplished many things; for example • He calmed the countryside and provided stability for the first time in years • He Turned the Tide of War (He started drafting soldiers from the general public, he inspired them with the hope of the revolution and a better life, defeat meant going back to tyranny. France started to win against the combined Armies of most of Europe) Robespierre had other contributions as well . . . • He was one of the major contributors to the declaration of the rights of man He was also a visionary and demanded that others conform to his vision • He instituted the “METRIC SYSTEM” • Attempted to create a new Calendar (e.g. Thermador) • Created new fashions • Created new language conventions and word usages • Created a New Flag (France’s current flag) • He even created a new religion (The Cult of the Supreme Being)

8. The Sans Culottes • This was a radical left wing group • Means “No Short Pants” a direct insult to the fashion wore by the nobility • Long pants were the clothes of the third estate • Made up of thousands of supporters across France • They represented the lower classes (workers and peasants) • The were firm supporters of the Jacobins and made up the bulk of his revolutionary Army

9. Robespierre’s Downfall • Robespierre was too successful • When the threat of military defeat was gone and the countryside was back in order, there was no need for the radical Robespierre and his grand vision • When they went to arrest him he attempted to commit suicide (he shot himself but missed . . . He only managed to blow off his lower jaw) • He was guillotined without trial the next day • This is known as the Thermadorian Reaction • After the downfall of Robespierre and the Jacobins, a new government took over: The Directory • The Directory was more moderate and further stabilized France • However, the directory was weak and only managed to survive for 4 years