Reign of Terror The Move to Radicalism Louis
- Slides: 13
Reign of Terror
The Move to Radicalism • Louis XVI is still on the throne as a new government is being negotiated • He agrees to uphold a new constitution that limits his power • France is still in chaos • Georges Danton rallies citizens to attack the King’s palace and violence erupts in the streets • Jean-Paul Marat emerges as a leader of the people
The Move to Radicalism • Jean-Paul Marat urged the poor to violently revolt against the nobility • He’s assassinated but… • He’s seen as a martyr for the revolution.
A Quick Note: The Guillotine: Embodies “Enlightenment Thinking” • Equality – everyone executed in the same way • Scientific – ends life quickly without pain
Crises and Response • Unrest and rebellion across France because some groups don’t accept the new gov’t. • Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch Republic all unite against France after the execution of King Louis XVI. • Maximilien Robespierre (and the Committee of Public Safety) gains broad power to protect the revolution from all threats.
Crises and Response “We must smother the internal and external enemies of the Republic or perish with it; now in this situation, the first maxim of your policy ought to be to lead the people by reason and the people's enemies by terror. ”
The Republic of Virtue Committee of Public Safety tries to reshape French society • Laws established for education and outlaw slavery • De-Christianization of France with deist principles like the Cult of the Supreme Being • Robespierre wanted it to become the new French Religion • Not successful because of devout French Catholics
The Reign of Terror (17931794) The Committee of Public Safety prosecutes anyone who it suspects is undermining the revolution. • Revolutionary Tribunals determine guilt and punishment • 300, 000 arrested • 40, 000 killed • Marie Antoinette and Olympe de Gouges both fall victim to the “National Razor”
The National Bathtub As many as 4, 000 are drowned in Nantes after being accused of not supporting the revolution
% of Different Social Classes Executed 8% 7% 28% Peasants and Farmers Working Class Bourgeoisie 25% Nobility 31% Clergy
No, this is a totally reasonable way to voice your disagreements…
Some argue that the French revolution set the cause of democracy in Europe back 100 years…
End of the Terror • Robespierre’s terror further intensifies • Members of the National Convention, condemn Robespierre before he goes after them too • Robespierre is executed on July 28, 1794, the Jacobins lose power, and the Terror ends.