Revolution Brings the Reign of Terror Section 7

Revolution Brings the Reign of Terror Section 7 -2

The Assembly Reforms France The National Assembly ended the feudal privileges of the 1 st and 2 nd Estates n It adopted a new statement of ideals-the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (said that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights”) n Early reforms focused on combining the church and state (it offended many peasants who were devout Catholics) n

Louis’s Mistake Seeing that situation in France was growing worse many of Louis’s advisors suggested that he leave France for a safer place n He tried to escape to Austria but was captured near the border and returned to Paris n This increased the influence of radicals in the government n

Divisions Develop The National Assembly completed the Constitution which created a limited monarchy (the king lost most of his power to the Legislative Assembly-a new leg. branch) n Problems over food shortages & government debt led to division in the government (radicals, moderates, & conservatives) n

Other Factions Émigré – nobles and others who fled France who wanted to undo the revolution and restore the Old Regime n Sans-culottes – workers in Paris who wanted more changes but were not in the Legislative Assembly n

France at War Austria and Prussia threatened to attack if they did not restore Louis to power n They feared that the Revolution would spread to their countries n The Legislative Assembly declared war on them n The war went bad for France in the beginning but because of the efforts of regular people in Paris, the Prussian forces were pushed back n

The Revolution Turns Radical September Massacre-peasants began to attack and kill royalists, priest, and prisoners out of fear and frustration n The Legislative Assembly, out of fear, set aside the Constitution, disposed the king, and declared France a republic (all men were granted the right to vote and hold office) this was the National Convention n

The Jacobins Most of the people who made the government changes were a part of this radical group n This group held the National Convention which turned Louis from a king to a common citizen and prisoner n He was put on trial, found guilty of treason, and executed n

The Reign of Terror In 1793, England, Spain, and Holland joined Austria & Prussia vs. France n The Jacobins took a drastic step & started a draft of French citizens n This was the start a campaign to root out and get rid of enemies of France within its borders (called the Reign of Terror) n

Reign of Terror (cont. ) n n Maximilien Robespierre-became leader during the Terror He and his supporters set out to erase any trace of France’s past He was the leader of the Committee of Public Safetyits job was to protect the revolution from its enemies He justified the Terror by claiming that it was necessary in order for people to remain free & safe from France’s enemies (became a dictator)

The End of the Terror n n n During the Terror thousands were executed of crimes against the revolution (many were people who spoke out against Robespierre’s rule) Fearing of their own safety, members of the National Convention turned on Robespierre & demanded his arrest & execution The Terror ended and a new government plan was drafted (power in the hands of upper mid-class and a 2 house legislature)