The French Revolution and the Reign of Terror

   

                   

The success of the revolution made it a necessity to purge citizens suspected to undermine its gains. The abolition of the monarchy paved the way for the establishment of the First Republic of France, and a constitutional convention was called. The unfolding of events brought the Girondists to prominence in the revolution’s political landscape. The convention dismantled the former governing council and replaced it with a new provisional council. France’s war with neighboring countries and opposition at home necessitated drastic measures to protect the gains of the revolution. 

The convention established the Committee of Public Safety on April 6, 1793, as the executive organ of the republic and reorganized the Committee of General Security and the Revolutionary Tribunals. 

Military reversals, mounting civil war, and the advance of the enemy forces towards the French frontiers eroded the Girondists’ influence in the convention. It also caused a rift between the Girondists and the Montagnards, which were the most radical group in the convention. On June 2, 1793, radical journalist Jacques Rene Hebert ordered the arrest of 29 Girondist delegates and ministers. This action helped enhance the radicals’ hold in the convention.                                                                                    

A new constitution was promulgated on June 24, 1793, but it was never put into effect. Leadership of the Committee on Public Safety passed on July 10, 1793, to the Jacobins a political group under the Montagnards. On July 13, radical politician Paul Marat who was identified with the Jacobins was assassinated by a Girondist sympathizer which caused public indignation. This incident coupled with public support for the Jacobins put them in a dominant position in the convention.

Maximillien Robespierre

On July 10, 1793, the leadership of the Committee of Public Safety was passed on to the Jacobins who completely reorganized it. On July 27, 1793, Maximillien Robespierre was added to the committee and soon became its dominant member. The power of the committee was renewed monthly by the national convention from April 1793 to July 1794.

To cope with setbacks of the French forces in neighboring countries and reactionary elements at home, the convention called for 14 new armies numbering about 750,000 men who were speedily organized, equipped, and sent to the fronts. 

Dealing with the opposition at home, the Jacobin dominated convention had Queen Marie Antoinette guillotined on October 16, 1793. Suspected Girondists, royalists, priests and other opposition groups were charged before the revolutionary tribunals, convicted and sent to the guillotine. A vast number of victims were peasants and workers charged with desertion, draft dodging, and other war crimes.

The execution of Queen Marie Antoinette

As the most prominent and influential member of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre envisioned France as a “republic of virtue” possessing the attributes of humanitarianism, social idealism, and patriotism.   

The Jacobin dominated convention replaced the Julian calendar with a republican calendar. In November 1793, the commune of Paris closed all churches in the city and began to actively sponsor the revolutionary religion known as the Cult of Reason. This action brought about a rift between the groups within the Jacobins. One group was led by Robespierre and the other by Hebert, which was the most radical in the convention. The factional in-fighting was settled with the execution of Hebert and his associates on March 24, 1793. 

Robespierre also went after groups who demanded peace and an end to his terroristic measures. His passion to defend the revolution against its real or perceived enemies and the reactionaries led to purges and reprisals that led to the executions and deaths of people. The victims of his actions included not only the Girondists but also the Jacobins. His excesses made some members of the convention fear for their own lives. Robespierre was gradually losing popular support.

Military victories at Fleurs, Belgium on June 26, 1794, were encouraging indication of further successful advance across Europe. There was optimism in France for eventual triumph, and there was widespread perception that Robespierre’s extreme measures to protect the revolution were no longer necessary. In a bid to eliminate Robespierre, some members of the convention hatched a conspiracy against him. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre and some of his allies were seized, and on the next day they were beheaded.

When Robespierre was gone the National Convention was dominated by a group called the Thermidoreans. Their initial actions included the abolition of the revolutionary tribunal and the extreme decrees. And the Girondists and other expelled rightists were restored to the convention. 

The period from April 1793 to July 1794 is known in history as the Reign of Terror. All over France the revolutionary tribunals and commissions were responsible for the execution of 17,000 individuals. Overall, the estimated number of deaths to include those who died in prison, and those who were summarily executed by the revolutionary forces totaled 40,000 individuals. The death of Maximillien Robespierre ended the Reign of Terror.

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