CHY 4U1 – Image Analysis
The French Revolution – The Reign of Terror
Discussing the Illustration:
1) When many people think of the French Revolution, this is what they think of. What is
taking place here?
2) Executions of this sort reached a high point in France from around June 1793 to July 1794.
During those months, fears about war, émigrés, and enemies of the revolution reached a
high point. What radical political group, or faction, controlled France and its revolution in
those months?
3) Those months in France are known as the “Terror”. This word should give you a clue as to
the purpose such executions were supposed to serve. And the illustration itself also
suggests what this purpose was. What do you think the purpose of the Terror was? What in
the illustration helps to show this?
4) By July 1794, France’s armies were doing well again. Many leaders were tired of the
Terror. That July, the main leader of the Terror was himself put to death by guillotine. It is
his execution that is shown in this illustration. Can you name him?