The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All those whom he saw as being ‘ enemies’ of the republic – ex-nobles and clergy, members of other political parties, even members of his party who did not agree with his methods – were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If the court found them ‘guilty’ they were guillotined. The guillotine is a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It was named after Dr Guillotin who invented it. Robespierre’s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and pries. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government. The use of more expensive white flour was forbidden; all citizens were required to eat the pain d’egalite (equality bread), a loaf made of wholewheat. Equality was also sought to be practised though forms of speck and address. Instead of the traditional Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam) all French mem and women were henceforth Citoyen and Citoyenne (Citizen). Churches were shut down and their building converted into barracks or offices. Robespierre pursued his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation. Finally, he was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and on the next day sent to the guillotine Activity Compare the views of Desmoulins and Robespierre. How dose each one understand the use of state force? what dose Robespierre mean by ‘the war of liberty against tyranny’? how dose Desmoulins perceive liberty? Refer once more to Source C. What did the constitutional laws on the rights of individuals lay down? Discuss your views on the subject in class. What is liberty? Two conflicting views: The revolutionary journalist Camille Desmoulins wore the following in 1793. He was executed shortly after, during the Reign of Terror `Some people believe that Liberty is like a child, which needs to go through a phase or being disciplined before it attains maturity. Quite the opposite. Liberty is happiness, Reason, Equality, Justice, it is the Declaration of Right … You would like to finish off all your enemies by guillotining them. Has anyone heard of something more senseless? Would it be possible to bring a single person to the scaffold without making ten more enemies among his relations and friends?’
On 7 February 1794, Robespierre made a speck at the Convention, which was then carried by the newspaper Le Moniteur Universel. Here is an extract from it :
`To establish and consolidate democracy, to achieve the peaceful rule of constitutional law, we must finish the war of liberty against tyranny …. We must annihilate the enemies of the republic at home and abroad, or else we shall perish. In Time of Revolution a democratic government may rely on terror. Terror is nothing but justice, swift, severe and inflexible; … and is used to meet the most urgent needs of the fatherland. To curb the enemies of Liberty through terror is the right of the founder of the Republic.’
Language: English
Science, MCQs