Throughout 1793, France experienced one of the BLOODIEST regimes in its history.

Its masterminds were deemed RADICAL in their views and VIOLENT

in their ways. Many who hoped to restore the Kings power were desperate.

Radicals thought the King was with the ENEMY Put on trial as a TRAITOR The country is a war with much of
August 10 – stormed Royal palace and killed the “Frenchman, I die innocent.” Europe. National Convention was
divided on many issues and between
king’s GUARDS. The royal family fled. Head is lifted by hair and held
groups: JACOBINS and the
before crowd GIRONDINS
Marie Antoinette finds same fate.
To deal with threats they create a
Citizens attacked a PRISON holding nobles and priests. About 1,200 were killed. COMMITEE of Public Safety.
Required all to contribute to war
Some historians called it the “SEPTEMBER Massacres” others called them
effort via taxes. 12-member panel
patriots defending a cause. was in charge of TRIALS and
EXECUTIONS
Backed by many, Radicals took control of NATIONAL Assembly **REIGN OF TERROR begins**
Called for election of new body, called the NATIONAL CONVENTION At home, MAXIMILIEN
All males, regardless of owning LAND, could vote Robespierre led the fight against
counter-revolutionaries. Considered
Voted to 1) abolish MONARCHY and establish A REPUBLIC
a TYRANT
2) wrote a CONSTITUTION 3) tried to eliminate all traces of OLD order “Liberty cannot be secured unless
criminals lose their heads”
 REIGN OF TERROR (September 1793-July 1794)
“it is necessary to stifle the domestic and foreign enemies of the Republic or perish with
them….The first maxim of our politics ought to be to lead the people by means of reason
and the enemies of the people by terror….If the basis of popular government in time of
peace is virtue, the basis of basis of popular government in time of revolution is both
virtue and terror” --- Maximilien Robespierre
Typical suspects: those who RESISTED the revolution.
About 300,000 were arrested during the R of T
17,000 were executed. Many were put into hideous prisons where they died from
disease. The GUILLOTINE was the preferred method.
Soon enough, people turned on Robespierre. He was arrested in July 1794 and
EXECUTED.

Revolution enters Third Stage

Moving away from RADICALISM the moderates in the National Convention
produced the 3RD constitution of the revolution. The Constitution of 1795 set
up:
1) 5 man DIRECTORY
2) Two house LEGISLATURE elected by landowning men
The DIRECTORY was WEAK, but dictatorial and faced growing discontent.
Corrupt leaders lined their pockets but failed to SOLVE PROBLEMS. There
was also beginning a revival of the ROYALIST feeling. In the election of
1797, supporters of a constitutional monarchy won a majority of seats
Many turned to NAPOLEON Bonaparte, a popular military hero, to help.

By 1799, the revolution had brought huge change. The monarchy was eliminated, and
the old social order had been dismantled. The word “citizen” applied to all social classes
and all other titles were eliminated. Elaborate fashion and powered wigs gave way to
practical clothes. The revolution gave the people a sense of NATIONALISM, a strong
feeling of pride in and devotion to one’s country.