1. Radical Days of the Revolution
Preview
Main Idea / Reading Focus
Radicals Views of Government
The Reign of Terror

2. Radical Days of the Revolution
Main Idea
In 1793, the revolution entered a radical phase. For a year, France experienced one of the bloodiest regimes in its history.
Reading Focus
How & why did radicals abolish the monarchy?
Why was the Committee of Public Safety created, and why did the Reign of Terror ensue?
How did the excesses of the Convention lead to the formation of the Directory?
How were the French people affected by the revolution?

3. The French Revolution and Napoleon
Section 3: Radical Days of the Revolution
Witness History Audio: The Engine of Terror
The Monarchy is Abolished
News of mounting deaths in the war with Prussia caused anger with the King, who many thought was on the side of Prussia. In what has been called the “September massacres,” citizens attacked prisons that held nobles and priests and killed many of them. The Assembly gave the vote to all male citizens and the newly elected legislature was full of radicals who seized nobles’ lands and sentenced the king to death.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Dickens describe the tumbrels?” (He calls them death carts.) “How do you think he feels about using the carts for those about to die?” (Death is taken too lightly.)
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6. Tightening Control Transforming Society
Committee of Public Safety set up to manage military defense
Drafted all able-bodied men between 18 and 45 for service
Established the Revolutionary Tribunal to protect the Revolution
Transforming Society
Leaders wanted to erase connections to old ways of life
Clergy members lost positions; churches closed in Paris
Robespierre created the cult of the Supreme Being
Metric system was introduced

9. Explain
Why did the National Convention want to change French government and society?
Answer(s): It saw the old government and systems as oppressive and it wanted to create a better society.

10. The French Revolution and Napoleon
Section 3: Radical Days of the Revolution
Terror and Danger Grip France
The Convention, or legislative body, created the Committee of Public Safety and gave its 12 members almost absolute power in response to the threats from inside and outside the country. Under the leader, Maximilien Robespierre, this Committee set out an a Reign of Terror—during which suspected enemies of the state were hastily tried and often put to death by guillotine.
History Interactive: The Reign of Terror
The Revolution Enters Its Third Stage
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Dickens describe the tumbrels?” (He calls them death carts.) “How do you think he feels about using the carts for those about to die?” (Death is taken too lightly.)
Moderates took over after the Reign of Terror and the Convention produced the third constitution since Inflation and the resurgence of royalist feelings caused politicians to rally around war hero Napoleon Bonaparte.
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11. Robespierre

12. The Reign of Terror Course of Revolution An Outbreak of Civil War
Revolutionary leaders feared counterrevolution and took drastic actions with accusations, trials, and executions. This period was known as the Reign of Terror.
An Outbreak of Civil War
Peasants, essentially conservative, only wanted an end to feudal dues.
Remaining devoutly Catholic, the Vendée region opposed the Revolution in a civil war. The government put down the counterrevolution to regain control.
Accusations and Trials
Robespierre used the Revolutionary Tribunal to rid the country of dissent.
It started with the Girondists, but soon anyone who had ever criticized the Revolution, or who had connections to the Old Order, was in danger.

14. The French Revolution and Napoleon
Section 3: Radical Days of the Revolution
Revolution Brings Change
The revolution brought loyalty to the nation, instead of to a monarch. This new nationalism was celebrated with festivals, dances, and songs. Revolutionaries pushed for various social reforms and religious toleration.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask, “How does Dickens describe the tumbrels?” (He calls them death carts.) “How do you think he feels about using the carts for those about to die?” (Death is taken too lightly.)
QuickTake Section Quiz
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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15. No Escape from the Terror
Death by Guillotine
Most common sentence - death by guillotine
Condemned paraded through Paris in open carts
Mobs watched at scaffold; executions took less than one minute
No one was spared
8% were aristocrats, 6% clergy, 14% middle class, and 72% were workers or peasants
Peasants and laborers affected
Danton and Robespierre
40,000 executed in 10 months
The Terror’s Victims
France started over with new constitution in 1795
Voting limited to property owners
The Directory established
High prices, bankruptcy, and citizens’ unrest continued
Power vacuum developed
After the Terror

19. Why was the period of mass executions called the Reign of Terror?
Summarize
Why was the period of mass executions called the Reign of Terror?
Answer(s): It was a period of accusations, trials, and executions that led to a wave of fear.

20. The French Revolution and Napoleon: Section 3
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21. The French Revolution and Napoleon: Section 3
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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