Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror (June 1793 – July 1794) was a period in the French Revolution characterized by brutal repression. The Terror (see also state terrorism) originated with a highly centralized political regime that suspended most of the democratic achievements of the Revolution, and intended to pursue the Revolution on social matters. Its stated aim was to destroy internal enemies and conspirators and to oust the external enemies from French territory.

The End

The centralization of repression also brought thousands of victims before the Paris Revolutionary Tribunal, whose work was expedited by the draconian Law of 22 Prairial (10 June 1794) which had led to the Terror. As a result of Robespierre's insistence on associating Terror with Virtue, his efforts to make the republic a morally united patriotic community became equated with the endless bloodshed. Finally, after 26 June's decisive military victory over the Austrians at the Battle of Fleurus, Robespierre was overthrown by a conspiracy of certain members of the Convention on 9 Thermidor (27 July). After trying in vain to raise Paris, the Robespierrist deputies and most members of the Commune were guillotined the next day, 28 July. Thus began the Thermidorian reaction, an era of relaxation after the excesses of the Terror, with the establishment of the Directory form of government.

Related Topics:
Revolutionary Tribunal - Draconian - Law of 22 Prairial - 10 June - 26 June - Battle of Fleurus - 9 Thermidor - 27 July - Commune - Guillotine - 28 July - Directory

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