Reign of Terror

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Reign of Terror

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A period of mass violence during the French Revolution (1793–1794).

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Origins & Early Life

The Reign of Terror (French: La Terreur, lit. 'The Terror') was a period of the French Revolution when, following the creation of the First Republic, a series of massacres and numerous public executions took place in response to the Federalist revolts, revolutionary fervour, anticlerical sentiment, and accusations of treason by the Committee of Public Safety. While terror was never formally instituted as a legal policy by the Convention, it was more often employed as a concept. Historians disagree when exactly the "Terror" began. Some consider it to have begun in 1793, often giving the date as 5 September or 10 March, when the Revolutionary Tribunal came into existence.

Career & Major Achievements

Others cite the earlier September Massacres in 1792, or even July 1789 when the first killing of the revolution occurred. Will Durant stated that "strictly, it should be dated from the Law of Suspects, 17 September 1793, to the execution of Maximilien Robespierre, 28 July 1794." The Terror concluded with the fall of Robespierre and his alleged allies in July 1794, in what is known as the Thermidorian Reaction. By then, 16,594 official death sentences had been dispensed throughout France since June 1793, of which 2,639 were in Paris alone. In addition, an estimated ten- to twenty thousand people were executed without trial or died awaiting trial in prison. Enlightenment thought emphasized the importance of rational thinking and began challenging legal and moral foundations of society, providing the leaders of the Reign of Terror with new ideas about the role and structure of government.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's Social Contract argues that each person was born with rights, and they would come together in forming a government that would then protect those rights. Under the social contract, the government was required to act for the general will, which represented the interests of everyone rather than a few factions. Drawing from the idea of a general will, Robespierre felt that the French Revolution could result in a republic built for the general will but only once those who fought against this ideal were expelled. Those who resisted the government were deemed "tyrants" fighting against the virtue and honor of the general will. The leaders felt that their ideal version of government was threatened from the inside and outside of France, and terror was the only way to preserve the dignity of the republic created in the French Revolution.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1792: 1792 Milestone — Others cite the earlier September Massacres in 1792, or even July 1789 when the first killing of the revolution occurred.
2. 1793: 1793 Milestone — Some consider it to have begun in 1793, often giving the date as 5 September or 10 March, when the Revolutionary Tribunal came into existence.
3. 1794: 1794 Milestone — " The Terror concluded with the fall of Robespierre and his alleged allies in July 1794, in what is known as the Thermidorian Reaction.

Notable Quotes by Reign of Terror

“strictly, it should be dated from the Law of Suspects, 17 September 1793, to the execution of Maximilien Robespierre, 28 July 1794.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Reign of Terror

True or False: “The Reign of Terror was formally established as a legal policy by the National Convention.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it was employed as a concept and justified by laws like the Law of Suspects, historians note that terror was never formally instituted as a legal policy by the Convention.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• André Chénier — Historical peer (Died in 1794) (1794): Emotive French poet, precursor to Romanticism, tragically linked to the French Revolution.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Reign of Terror