Robespierre and the attempts to establish wartime control

Question 1

why did robespierre attempt to establish wartime measures

Answer 1

1793 republic faced internal and external enemies
To combat these extraordinary measures were put in place
Supported by the jacobins (especially robespierre) who wanted to win the war and reassure the parisian sans culottes that the deputies were responding to their needs
Emergency measures straightened the jacobin voice and weakened the girondins who were opposed to strong central control

Question 2

committee of general security (CGS)

Answer 2

October 1792 established to take responsibility for policing and administration of justice
Reduced from 20 deputies to 12 in 1793
Had to report to the national convention

Question 3

draft of 300,000 men

Answer 3

February 1793 - draft of 300,000 men ordered to be carried out in march
Voluntary aid possibly by ballot if necessary

Question 4

representatives on mission

Answer 4

March 1793 - 83 representatives on mission were appointed to travel across france to ensure they loyalty and effective functioning of the departments
Ensure public order was maintained, arrest any suspects, ensure food supplies and supervise levies
Reported daily to the CPS and weekly to the national conventions

Question 5

revolutionary tribunal

Answer 5

March 1793 revolutionary tribunal established to try counter revolutionaries
5 judges a public prosecute and jurymen form paris
From april indictments were drawn up by the public prosecutor

Question 6

decree on rebels

Answer 6

19th march new law decree that rebels bearing arms could be executed without appeal

Question 7

surveillance committees

Answer 7

March 1793 - surveillance committees established in every commune
Look out for suspicious behaviour, anyone suspected would be handed over to the tribunal to be put to death if found guilty
Members could not be former nobles or churchmen

Question 8

committee of public safety (CPS)

Answer 8

April 1793 committee of public safety (CPS) set up
Responsible for conduct of war, diplomacy, supplies , control of the army and the application of revolutionary laws
Had authority over the CGS and other government agencies
9 men elected monthly by the national convention
Reported weekly to the national convention