RADICAL DAYS OF THE
REVOLUTION
France at War
• By 1792, France was at war against
Austria and Prussia.
• Leaders in Europe feared the
spread of the Revolution to their
countries and wanted to protect
absolutism.
• GB, Holland, & Spain joined in
against France.
• France used conscription; by
1794, the army had grown to
800,000.
• “September Massacres”
• Some nobles and priests were
being held prisoner in Paris.
• Rumors spread that these
royalists were going to take
control of Paris if citizens left
to volunteer in battle.
• Mobs killed over 1,000
prisoners, some of who were
just ordinary criminals.
The Monarchy is Abolished
• The Legislative Assembly was
replaced by a more radical
group – the National Convention
• Abolished the monarchy and
declared France a republic.
• King Louis XVI was tried and
found guilty of treason against
France.
• Jan. 21, 1793 – Louis was
executed by the guillotine.
Reign of Terror
• By 1793, France was in even more
turmoil than when the revolution
began in 1789.
• Food shortages, inflation, factions…
• The NC created a 12-member
Committee of Public Safety – led
by Maximilien Robespierre.
• Why is 1793-1794 known as the reign
of “terror”?
Robespierre
Reign of Terror
• Neighborhood watch committeesneighbors were encouraged to spy
on each other and turn in traitors
to the revolution.
• “Liberty cannot be secured unless
criminals lose their heads” –
Robespierre (He believed terror
was justified to defend the
republic.
Reign of Terror
• Same-day trial and execution
• About 300,000 people were
arrested and between 20,000 and
40,000 were executed during the
“terror”
• Most famous victim- Marie
Antoinette
• 85% of those killed were from the
3rd estate- the common people
who were supposed to benefit
from the Revolution.
Reign of Terror
• Members of the NC realized none of
them were safe from Robespierre
and turned against him.
• He was executed on July 28, 1794.
• The Reign of Terror came to an end
and the revolution became less
radical.
• The Directory (a 5-man council) held
power in France from 1795-1799.