The Terror - NEEDED FOR EXAM Flashcards
Needed for A-Level Exam The spread of the Terror: executions, the influence of Robespierre and the sans culottes; the role of the CPS; Robespierre's fall and the collapse of the Terror Chapter 11 into Chapter 12 - Waller Have a mindmap
Who was Robespierre?
A middle class lawyer who was educated by Jesuits in Paris.
What are two characteristics of Robespierre’s personality?
- Determined
- Passionately sincere
What was Robespierres role in the Estates-General?
A deputy where he became devoted to revolution.
Who was Robespierre popular amongst?
The sans culottes in Paris.
Which radical group did Robespierre lead?
The Jacobins.
What three radical things did Robespierre support?
- Louis’ execution
- The overthrow of the Girondins
- The Terror
When was Robespierre elected to the committee of public safety?
July 1793.
When was Robespierre guillotined?
July 1794 due to his many enemies.
What was Robespierre accused of?
Betraying revolutionary principles by turning the CPS into a dictatorship.
What did Robespierre speak of frequently?
A ‘republic of virtue’ in which men would be free and equal.
How did Robespierre think that a republic of virtue would be achieved?
Through the terror.
What did Robespierre’s name become associated with?
The excesses, despite disliking crowds.
What group did Robespierre use for his own advantage, despite being identified with the bourgeoisie more?
The sans culottes.
What was Robespierre’s nickname amongst the people of Paris?
The ‘incorruptible’.
What happened during the federalist’s revolt in the Autumn of 1793?
Lyon saw uprising against the convention, lasting 2 months. leading to a man drowning in the Loire.
Marseilles and Toulon saw an uprising against the convention which resulted in them cutting off food supplies to Toulon and them appealing to the British for help. This was the first instance Napoleon made his name known.
What three social disruptions were happening between January and June 1793?
- Protests against the levee en mass.
- Economic difficulties - inflation, rising food prices, bread shortages
- Vendee uprising in Feb 1793
How did the federalist revolt, levee en mass protests, economic difficulties and vendee uprising create tension?
Because these issues were happening simultaneously throughout France during 1793 they created the perfect fractured social foundation for the Terror to occur and infiltrate all parts of France.
What three countries invaded which parts of France during summer 1793?
- The north of France was invaded by the Austrians
- The south of France was invaded by the Spaniards
- British troops were on the Netherlands border
What two things were established during the war?
The Levee en masse
Establishment of state factories for arms and ammunition
When was Neerwinden lost?
March 1793
How was the war extended?
France declared war on Spain and Britain
What did the external war threats create in terms of the military?
A weakened military front, which made France susceptible to uprisings and not having the resources to fight and deal with the confrontation.
When was Louis executed?
January 1793.
Who was victorious when Louis was executed?
The Jacobins.
When was Marat murdered?
July 1793.
When was the new constitution implemented?
Summer 1793.
Which months were the emergency measures used?
March-May 1793.
When the catholic church came under attack, what three campaigns were launched?
- To close all churches by the Spring of 1794
- Destroy all religious signs and symbols
- Force priests to marry or adopt orphans
What three things did the Paris commune do to dechristianise France?
- The Paris Commune destroyed religious and royal statues
- Changed street names with religious connections
- Banned the wearing of clerical dress
- Stopped paying clerical salaries in May 1793
- November 1793 ordered the closure of all Parisian churches
What two things did the convention do to encourage dechristianisation?
They sanctioned the deportation of any priests denounced by 6 citizens and supported the new revolutionary calendar.
What group was dechristianisation popular amongst?
The sans culottes
What group was dechristianisation unpopular amongst?
The more rural and conservative peasantry were angry and suspicious of it.
What was the cult of reason?
A cult of atheism which promoted the idea of reason in order to bring citizens to an end of being virtuous and moral.