the terror

what is the terror?

  • between 1792 n 1794 = about 40k victims of the terror

  • generally considered between 5th sept 1793 n july 1794 sept


the show trials:

  • Marie-Antoinette endured harsh treatment as a prisoner after her husband's death.

  • She faced a trial on October 14, 1793, accused of various crimes, and was guillotined on October 16.

  • On October 24, 1793, 22 Girondin leaders were tried and swiftly executed on October 31.

  • Duc d’Orleans, Philippe Egalite, faced suspicion due to his royal connections and was executed on November 6.

  • Madame Roland, wife of a Girondin minister, was executed on November 8, famously lamenting the abuse of liberty.

the law of 22 prairial:

  • Terror intensified with the closure of provincial Revolutionary Tribunals on May 8, 1794.

  • The Law of 22 Prairial III (June 10, 1794) simplified the judicial process to ensure easier convictions.

  • Accused of political crimes were to face the Parisian Revolutionary Tribunal.

  • Citizens were mandated to report suspects.

  • Trials were limited to three days with no witnesses or defence

  • Verdicts were solely based on accusation and defendant's statement, leading to acquittal or death.

  • This law removed immunity for National Convention deputies.

  • Couthon cited attempted assassinations of key figures as justification for the law, arguing political crimes threatened society's existence.

the great terror:

  • The Law of 22 Prairial marked the start of the "Great Terror" from June 10 to July 26, 1794.

  • During this period, the Revolutionary Tribunal sentenced 1284 to death and acquitted only 278.

  • Daily guillotine executions became common in Paris, led by prosecutor Fouquier-Tinville.

  • Victims of the Great Terror were primarily nobles (35%), clergy (25%), and bourgeoisie (40%), indicating a more class-based persecution compared to earlier phases.

opposition:

  • The Terror government aimed for a planned economy but fell short of creating an egalitarian system.

  • Criticisms include failure to establish new taxation, control inflation, eliminate national debt, or develop industries.

  • Challenges arose from left-wing radicals like Hebert and his followers, who staged a rising in March 1794.

  • Despite challenges, the Committee of Public Safety (CPS) consolidated power, closing extremist groups and gaining support.

  • Danton and Desmoulins, known as the "Indulgents," opposed the Terror and called for an end to the war, fearing a return to monarchy.

danton’s execution:

  • Georges Danton faced his execution with bravado, maintaining his character until the end.

  • He confidently predicted Robespierre's downfall even as he approached his own death.

  • Danton remained composed, even after witnessing the executions of Desmoulins and others.

  • His final instruction to the executioner was to display his head to the crowd, displaying his defiance and pride.

the ending of the Terror:

  • robespierre took month from Convention

  • 8 thermidor (26th july 1794) - addressed convention n made a speech attacking colleagues - refused to name anyone - scared ppl

  • 9 thermidor - shouted down in convention. taken to prison but escapes. recaptured.

  • 10 thermidor - robespierre n 21 others executed

  • followed over the next few days by 100 members of the commune


  • CGS increasingly hostile to CPS​

  • Cult of the Supreme Being​

  • Arguments within the CPS – Saint-Just and Carot argued over and Billaud-Varenne was unhappy because he hadn’t been included in the drafting of the law of 22 Prairial​

  • Plain feared Robes turning into a dictator​

  • Local gov breaking down​

  • Link with S.C broken​

  • Execution of people like Danton and Desmoulin​

  • Robes’ absence from the Convention​

  • Robes’ speech on 8 Thermidor


terror outcomes:

 





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