Thermidorian Reaction

Quick Facts: Who was Thermidorian Reaction?

Subject:

Thermidorian Reaction

Known for:

The period following Robespierre's fall (July 1794–Feb 1795) marking a shift from radicalism to moderation.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In the historiography of the French Revolution, the Thermidorian Reaction (French: Réaction thermidorienne or Convention thermidorienne, "Thermidorian Convention") is the common term for the period between the ousting of Maximilien Robespierre and politically-aligned deputies on 9 Thermidor II, or 27 July 1794, and the inauguration of the French Directory on 2 November 1795. The Thermidorian Reaction was named after the month in which the coup took place and was the latter part of the National Convention's rule of France. It was marked by the end of the Reign of Terror, decentralization of executive powers from the Committee of Public Safety, and a turn from the radical Jacobin policies of the Montagnard Convention to more moderate positions. Economic and general populism, dechristianization, and harsh wartime measures were largely abandoned, as the members of the convention, disillusioned and frightened of the centralized government of the Terror, preferred a more stable political order that would have the approval of the plurality. The reaction included the First White Terror, in which the left was violently suppressed; the Jacobin Club was disbanded; the sans-culottes were dispersed; and Montagnard ideology was renounced.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The name Thermidorian originated with 9 Thermidor Year II (27 July 1794), the date according to the French Republican calendar when Maximilien Robespierre and other radical revolutionaries came under concerted attack in the National Convention. Thermidorian Reaction refers to the remaining period until the National Convention was superseded by the Directory; this is also sometimes called the era of the Thermidorian Convention. Prominent figures of Thermidor include Paul Barras, Jean-Lambert Tallien, and Joseph Fouché. Conspiracies against Robespierre, who had dominated the Committee of Public Safety, came together on 9 Thermidor (27 July) 1794. Tallien, a member and previous president of the National Convention, impugned Louis Antoine de Saint-Just and then went on to denounce the tyranny of Robespierre.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The attack was taken up by Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne. Cries went up of "Down with the tyrant! Arrest him!" Robespierre then made his appeal to the deputies of the right, yet failed. An order was made to arrest Robespierre and his followers. Troops from the Paris Commune, who were loyal to Robespierre, arrived to liberate him and the other prisoners.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1794: 1794 Milestone — In the historiography of the French Revolution, the Thermidorian Reaction (French: Réaction thermidorienne or Convention thermidorienne, "Thermidorian Convention") is the common term for the period between the ousting of Maximilien Robespierre and politically-aligned deputies on 9 Thermidor II, or 27 July 1794, and the inauguration of the French Directory on 2 November 1795.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Thermidorian Reaction

True or False: “The Thermidorian Reaction immediately led to the establishment of a stable, universally accepted constitutional monarchy in France.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Instead, the period was marked by extreme political instability, culminating in the Directory and subsequent periods of violence.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Anacharsis Cloots — Historical peer (Died in 1794) (1794): Prussian nobleman and internationalist anarchist, pivotal figure in the French Revolution.
• André Chénier — Historical peer (Died in 1794) (1794): Emotive French poet, precursor to Romanticism, tragically linked to the French Revolution.
• Ahilyabai Holkar — Historical peer (Died in 1795) (1795): Holkar Queen of Malwa, renowned for governance, culture, and charity in the Maratha Empire.
• Alessandro Cagliostro — Historical peer (Died in 1795) (1795): Italian occultist and self-styled magician, known for European court associations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thermidorian Reaction