Robespierre and the Reign of Terror: Key Revolutionary Insights

Introduction

In Part 8 of this chapter, we have learned how King Louis XVI secretly planned with neighbouring countries to stop the revolution. Furthermore, we have also studied how this secret planning led to the end of the monarchy in France. In Part 9, we will explore how Robespierre and the Reign of Terror ended. Robespierre and the Reign of Terror was a time when Robespierre’s harsh rule made people very frightened.

Reign of Terror meaning

• From 1793 to 1794 french people felt very afraid because many leaders punished many people very harshly. As a result, this period is called the Reign of Terror.
  • Reign means the Act of Ruling
  • Terror means fear caused by the Ruler.

Continuation of the French Revolution

• Even after executing King Louis XVI, the French Revolution continued by French people to bring more rights to the ordinary people of France.

 Committee of Public Safety

• A committee called the Committee of Public Safety was set up in 1793. 
• Subsequently, Maximilien Robespierre became the leader of this committee.
• Earlier he was a Leader of the Jacobin Club and one of the members of the National Assembly. 

Robespierre’s strict rules

• He acted strictly and punished people harshly. He wanted to implement his ideas in a newly formed government such as:
  • Everyone is to be treated equally, and no special privileges are given to nobles.
  • Regardless of which social class people belong to, everyone should pay taxes based on their ability.
  • Establish a democratic government.
  • End Feudalism
  • Reduce the power of the church

Opposition to Robespierre’s Policies

• Nobles, religious leaders, people from different political groups, and some people from his own group did not accept his ideas.
• Whoever disagreed with his rule, he arrested and put them in Jail. Arrested people were taken to a special type of court called the “Revolutionary Tribunal”.
• If the court decides someone is guilty(done something Wrong), they are punished by a method called Guillotining.

Measure taken by Robespierre to promote Equality and Control

• He fixed wages and salaries based on work to prevent inequality.
• He fixed the cost of bread and other goods also to prevent inequality.
• Farmers must bring their crops like wheat to cities and sell them at the price decided by the government only.
• To promote equality, He restricted the use of white flour as it was very expensive. Instead, he insisted Everyone eat the same kind of bread made of whole wheat flour. such type of bread is called “Pain d’egalite or equality bread”.
• In France, respectful titles were used to show respect to high society people example Monsieur was used to represent Sir and Madame used to represent Madam. To bring equality in language, He changed Monsieur to Citoyen which means Citizen for men and Madame to Citoyenne which means Citizen for women.
  • Citizen in the words Citizen for men and Citizen for women represent a member of society regardless of social status.
• He closed the churches and turned them into barracks government offices.
  • A barracks is a place where soldiers used to stay.

Downfall: The End of Robespierre and the Reign of Terror

• Robespierre became very strict and stubborn with his rules.
• Seeing his behaviour, his supporters wanted him to be a kind and more understanding person.
• In 1794, Robespierre was arrested and taken to the Revolutionary Tribunal. The Court found him guilty and punished him to be executed by Guillotining.

In summary

• During the period from 1793-1794, the People of France were very scared of the leader “Robespierre”. He acted strictly and punished people harshly.

• He acted strictly and punished people harshly. He wanted to implement his ideas in a newly formed government to treat everyone equally. Such ideas are:
  • Everyone is to be treated equally, and no special privileges are given to nobles.
  • Regardless of which social class people belong to, tax should be paid by everyone based on their ability.
  • Establish a democratic government.
  • End Feudalism
  • Reduce the power of the church
• Whoever disagreed with his rule, he arrested and put them in Jail. Arrested people were taken to a special type of court called the “Revolutionary Tribunal”.
• If the court decides someone is guilty(done something Wrong), they are punished by a method called Guillotining.
• His group were tired of his strict behaviour and wanted him to be kinder.
• Eventually, Robespierre was arrested and taken to the Revolutionary Tribunal. The Court found him guilty and punished him to be executed by Guillotining.
• This period was so scary for the people of France due to the strict leader and so it was called the Reign of Terror.
• In this way, Robespierre and the Reign of Terror came to an end.

A Big celebration made by the Revolutionary government  to show equality

• During the Reign of Terror Revolutionary government wanted their citizens’ support.
• For this, they organised big celebration parties in a big area of land to make people happy and loyal to them.
• Please click here to view the image of the big area of land.
• To make their parties historical, the government decorated pillars with old Greece and Roman symbols.
• They chose old Greece and Roman symbols as Franch was impressed by the achievements and history of  Greece and Rome.
• Additionally, A small building is constructed in the centre of Big area of land. This small building is constructed on a raised stage so that everyone can see it from a distance. This small building consists of strong poles similar to ancient Greek buildings. After the party is over, this small building will be disassembled easily.
• This picture shows that everyone must be treated equally regardless of social status.
• Nobles are dressed in expensive clothes.
• Women are wearing expensive skirts with a tight corset around their waist.  The lace covers the entire dress.

• Farmers are holding farming tools in their hands
• There are 2 notice boards in this celebration 
  • The first notice board states the following:
    • Its title is “The Rights of the Man” which represents everyone equally regardless of social status. And everyone must protect and respect these rights.
    • Everyone has the right to do whatever they want.
  • The second notice board states the following:
    • Its title is “The Freedom of the Unfree” which means poor people who were oppressed in the past must also enjoy freedom.