g) The Terror 1793 - 1794 Flashcards
What were the origins of the Terror, 1792?
August 10: protesters were massacred by the Swiss Guard
September: during the massacre almost 1,500 prisoners were executed by Sans-Culottes
Overall failure at the beginning of the war helped to spread tensions
What factors helped to suppress the violence during the Terror?
France’s victory against the Prussians in September at Valmy
Prussia’s defeat halted the invading forces
With France more secure, the violence lessened
When did the main Terror begin?
Summer 1793
The Terror was a consequence of what?
Was a consequence of both external and internal threats to the revolution
What factors helped to increase the Jacobins’s popularity in France?
The need to address both unrest at home and threats from abroad helped them increase their popularity.
Who were the most dominant force during the Terror?
The Jacobins
Also known as the Montagnards
Between March and May 1793, why did the Convention introduce new measures?
- To strengthen the revolution
- To maintain support from the people
- To try and police those opposed to the revolution
- To try to improve the economy and government
What were the organisations set up to suppress opposition?
- Committee of General Security
- Committee of Public Safety
- Revolutionary Tribunal
- Representatives-on-mission
- Comites de surveillance
What was the Committee of General Security?
Was established to spy against those suspected of opposing the revolution.
It served as the political police force for the government.
What was the Committee of Public Safety?
Set up in April 1793
Its role was to supervise the government ministers
What was the Revolutionary Tribunal?
Those suspected of being counter-revolutionaries were tried here.
The Tribunal was at the forefront of the Terror and had the authority to send people to the guillotine.
What were Representatives-on-mission?
Jacobin representatives who were sent out to enforce the government’s authority.
They were very powerful, and had authority over local government officials.
What were Comites de Surveillance?
Set up throughout France to find counter-revolutionaries to send to the Tribunal.
What legal and economic measures were passed to strengthen the Convention’s power?
- Summary execution decree - (gave themselves the power to arrest, try and execute rebels within 24 hour timeframe).
- Anti-emigres laws - (executed if they returned, their property now belonged to the Convention).
- Maximum price - (on grain).
- Loans - (compulsory loan on the wealthy).
Why did the Girondins oppose the Sans-Culottes?
They thought that they were too violent
Referred to them as ‘drinkers of blood’
How did the Jacobins use the sans-culottes to expel the Girondin deputies?
Sans-culottes were an angry mob, on June 2 1793 they surrounded the Convention
They demanded the expulsion of the Girondin deputies for supporting royalists and introducing maximum prices on goods
The convention was compelled to hand over the deputies
When was Marat murdered?
Who murdered Marat?
Marat, a leading Jacobin, was murdered by Charlotte Corday, an aristocrat.
13 July 1793
Why did the Federal Revolts against Jacobins a failure?
Although many towns revolted, they were not united in their opposition
They were also defended by small numbers of people
The government thus was quickly able to suppress the revolts
Why did the Committee of Public Safety become stronger over the summer of 1793?
Dominated by Jacobins.
Due to what happened to the Girondins, the other political clubs and deputies let them govern.
The CPS introduced a new constitution, why was it favourable to the Sans-Culottes?
Included aspects which they found the most important.
Rights to:
- Education
- Work
- Welfare
- Voting Rights
- Price Fixing
What happened to the Paris sections under the power of the CPS?
48 elected Paris districts were replaced by 48 sections
Small powerful groups controlled the sections
They had the power to issue certificates to allow citizens to work and deal with counter-revolutionaries
What was the Levee on Masse, and when was it introduced?
23 August 1793
Introduced by the CPS - called on people to help with the war effort
Basically conscription
Who was Jacques Roux and why was he significant?
Leader of the Enrages group, he demanded to the Convention that they should do more to help the poor
Robespierre had Roux arrested because his actions were undermining the Convention
Pressure from the Paris sections, in Sep 1793, forced the Convention to authorise the revolutionary army to do what?
- Organise food supplies
- Spread the revolution to the South
- Hunt down all opponents
