The Reign of Terror and the Directory
The Committee of Public Safety
France in Crisis (1793)
● By 1793, France was at war with nearly every other European country.
● Royalists and priests stirred up internal rebellion.
● Inflation and price problems plagued the economy.
● The National Convention was divided into factions (Jacobins vs. Girondins).
Formation of the Committee
● To address the crisis, the National Convention formed a 12-member Committee of Public
Safety.
● Maximilien Robespierre became a key member.
● The Committee had absolute power to make quick decisions.
The Committee's Methods
● The Committee established revolutionary courts with radical judges.
● Accused individuals were quickly convicted as traitors.
● Terror was a key motivator in the Reign of Terror, as anyone showing doubt or hesitation
was sent to the Guillotine.
● Personal vendettas and motivations influenced accusations.
The Reign of Terror
The Escalation of Violence
● The Reign of Terror lasted approximately 10 months.
● Around 300,000 people were arrested.
● Approximately 17,000 people were executed by guillotine.
Robespierre's Justification
● Robespierre believed that anyone who showed doubt or failed was undermining the
revolution.
● Terror was used to keep people in line and motivate support for the revolution.
● It served as a motivator to join the military.
The Committee of Public Safety
France in Crisis (1793)
● By 1793, France was at war with nearly every other European country.
● Royalists and priests stirred up internal rebellion.
● Inflation and price problems plagued the economy.
● The National Convention was divided into factions (Jacobins vs. Girondins).
Formation of the Committee
● To address the crisis, the National Convention formed a 12-member Committee of Public
Safety.
● Maximilien Robespierre became a key member.
● The Committee had absolute power to make quick decisions.
The Committee's Methods
● The Committee established revolutionary courts with radical judges.
● Accused individuals were quickly convicted as traitors.
● Terror was a key motivator in the Reign of Terror, as anyone showing doubt or hesitation
was sent to the Guillotine.
● Personal vendettas and motivations influenced accusations.
The Reign of Terror
The Escalation of Violence
● The Reign of Terror lasted approximately 10 months.
● Around 300,000 people were arrested.
● Approximately 17,000 people were executed by guillotine.
Robespierre's Justification
● Robespierre believed that anyone who showed doubt or failed was undermining the
revolution.
● Terror was used to keep people in line and motivate support for the revolution.
● It served as a motivator to join the military.
