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The Convention and the Terror, 1792 to 94
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The new republic faced foreign war and civil war. Its leaders used terror to defend the revolution.
The Convention and the king
The National Convention declared a republic (September 1792).
The Edict of Fraternity (November 1792) offered help to peoples wanting to overthrow their kings, alarming Europe.
Louis XVI was tried and executed on 21 January 1793.
The Edict of Fraternity (November 1792) offered help to peoples wanting to overthrow their kings, alarming Europe.
Louis XVI was tried and executed on 21 January 1793.
Crisis and the Jacobins
France faced war with most of Europe and a royalist rising in the Vendée.
The Committee of Public Safety (1793) took emergency powers.
The Girondins were expelled and arrested in June 1793, leaving the Jacobins in control.
The Committee of Public Safety (1793) took emergency powers.
The Girondins were expelled and arrested in June 1793, leaving the Jacobins in control.
Robespierre and the Terror
Maximilien Robespierre became the leading figure on the Committee.
The Terror (1793 to 94): the Law of Suspects allowed arrests on vague grounds; revolutionary tribunals sent thousands to the guillotine, including Marie Antoinette (October 1793).
Robespierre argued that terror was needed to protect the republic of virtue.
The Terror (1793 to 94): the Law of Suspects allowed arrests on vague grounds; revolutionary tribunals sent thousands to the guillotine, including Marie Antoinette (October 1793).
Robespierre argued that terror was needed to protect the republic of virtue.
Explain why the Terror began in 1793.
- France was at war with much of Europe.
- There was civil war in the Vendée and fear of traitors at home.
- The Jacobins used terror to crush any threat to the republic.
Answer: War and rebellion made leaders believe terror was needed to save the revolution.
The Convention declared a republic (1792), issued the Edict of Fraternity and executed Louis XVI (January 1793). Facing war and the Vendée revolt, the Committee of Public Safety took power and the Girondins were purged. Robespierre led the Terror (1793 to 94).
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