Chapter 12: Spread of Terror Flashcards
How did the Convention’s Declaration in Sep 1793 increase the terror?
Declaration that it must destroy enemies of the Republic
- increase in use of revolutionary tribunals
- from 66 guillotined (Mar-Sep) to 180 (Sep-Dec)
How were the show trials significant?
- increased SC desire for blood (specifically King’s)
What decrees were passed that increased the terror for ordinary citizens?
- (10 Oct 1793) CPS speech that govt. is revolutionary until peace
- local watch commitees monitor locals
- CGS spies
- over 100 representants en mission from convention pursue justice
Who was Hebert?
- crucial in ‘Cult of Reason’, key role in Paris Commune
- attacked Girondins
- arrested Apr 1793
What did the dechristianisation campaign include?
- closing churches
- iconoclasm
- focused on Paris, carried to provinces by representant en mission
- became official policy Oct 1793
- Nov 193: Notre Dame became Temple of Reason & Festival of Reason
How did the Peasantry, Convention & SC react to dechristianisation campaign?
Peasantry:
- badly as those in provinces strongly believe in God
SC:
- enthusiastic radicals
Convention:
- did not support as didn’t support ‘Festival of Reason’ in Nov 1793
- often yielded to SC who support dechristianisation
What did radicals do to challenge authority from God in Nov 1793?
- organised Festival of Reason
Was Robespierre supportive of Cult of Reason? Why?
- He believed it went too far
- R thought faith was a good tool for control
- R thought it earnt revolution new enemies
How did Robespierre respond to dechristianisation? Why did he respond this way?
- killed those responsible for cult of reason
- started Cult of Supreme Being with a new god
- June 1794: Festival of Supreme Being
- R thought faith was a good tool for control
What was the Law of 14 Frimaire (Dec 1793)? How did it impact Robespierre’s position?
- gave CPS direct control over local govt. etc. & disbanded armee revolutionaries
- restricted influence of SC & factions so R has more power
How did the arrest and execution of the Hebertists affect Robespierre? (March 1794)
- Hebertists complain that R was setting up a dictatorship
- R had less opposition and criticism with no Hebertists
Who were the Indulgents? How did the arrest and execution of the Indulgents affect Robespierre? (April 1794)
- Danton etc. believed Terror should be scaled back
- less opposition and criticism
What was the Law of 22 Prairial (June 1794)?
- all accused of political crimes went to Paris revolutionary tribunals
- only acquittal or death
How did Internal Divisions catalyse Robespierre’s fall from power?
- Removal of factions (Mar-Apr 1794): angered the convention and made them fear R as moderates worried they could be labelled Indulgents
- Divisions between CGS & CPS (June-July 1794): CGS angry over Law of Prairial
- Divisions within CPS (June-July 1794): argue over military tactics, not consulted over Law of Prairial
How did economic problems catalyse Robespierre’s fall from power?
- (July 1794) maximum wage set which angered SC
