h) The Terror - CPS

Question 1

By the end of 1793, why was the government in a strong position?

Answer 1

Domestic and foreign anti-revolutionary threats were under control

The value of the currency was rising

Food supplies were improved

Question 2

How did the government try to take back control from the Sans-Culottes?

Answer 2

1. The CPS said the sections could now only meet twice a week
2. In October the CPS dropped the constitution
3. In December the Law of Framaire gave the CPS and the CGS executive powers

Question 3

What powers did the CGS have by 1794?

Answer 3

Given control of the police and the revolutionary tribunal

Question 4

What powers did the CPS have by 1794?

Answer 4

Controlled the:
Government
Army
Foreign policy
Local government 

With their powers they disbanded all of the revolutionary armies except one in Paris

Agents were sent to watch over the local governments

Question 5

What were the positive aspects of the new system (1794)?

Answer 5

New powers ended the anarchy

Restored strong government

Decreased the power of the sans-culottes

Question 6

What were the negative aspects of the new system (1794)?

Answer 6

The new governments methods were dictatorial

Went against the Revolution’s principals of liberty and democracy

This contradiction prompted new opposition (from both left and right of the revolutionary movement)

Question 7

Who was the leader of left-wing opposition towards Robespierre/Jacobins?

Answer 7

Jacques Herbert

Question 8

Who was the leader of the right-wing opposition against Robespierre/Jacobins?

Answer 8

Danton

Question 9

What were Jacques Herbert’s beliefs?

Answer 9

He demanded the redistribution of property and the execution of hoarders

He was popular with the Sans-Culottes, the Cordeliers Club and the Revolutionary Army

Question 10

Why did Robespierre dislike Herbert so strongly?

Answer 10

He disliked Herbert because his anti-Catholic stance was turning people against the Revolution

Question 11

When was Jacques Herbert executed?

Answer 11

March 1794

Herbert and his main followers were executed

Question 12

What actions did Robespierre take against Herbert’s supporters?

Answer 12

1. Disbanded the Paris Revolutionary Army
2. Closed the Cordeliers Club
3. Filled the commune with his own supporters

Question 13

What were Danton’s beliefs?

Answer 13

He argued that the Terror was too violent and should end

Question 14

When and why was Danton executed?

Answer 14

April 1794

He was accused by his enemies that he was a supporter of the monarchy and of corruption

Question 15

What was The Great Terror, and when did it occur?

Answer 15

Between June and January 1794-5

The violence reached its peak

Almost 1600 people were executed

All the revolutionary Tribunals were closed - no trials, just execution

Question 16

What was the Law of Prairial?

Answer 16

June 1794

The CPS gave the Tribunal the power to convict all ‘enemies of the people’ which could include almost anyone they wanted

Meant that executions could be secured without any evidence needed

Question 17

What was the Cult of Supreme Being and when was it introduced?

Answer 17

May 1794

Robespierre introduced his own new religion

Question 18

Why was Robespierre’s Cult of Supreme Being highly unpopular?

Answer 18

1. Catholics hated it - contained too little Catholic faith

2. Atheists hated it - it looked like Robespierre was trying to reintroduce Catholicism

Question 19

What other factors contributed to Robespierre’s unpopularity?

Answer 19

He lost huge support among the sans-culottes due to the Terror:

High prices
Falling wages

Question 20

What actions contributed to Robespierre’s downfall?

Answer 20

• His unpopularity
• He gave a speech to the convention, stated that members of the gov were planning to bring it down, but refused to name them
• His colleagues thought that he would name them, so they had him arrested

Question 21

When was Robespierre executed?

Answer 21

28 July 1794

Question 22

What did Robespierre’s execution symbolise?

Answer 22

The end of the Terror