Name:Mrs. Bellisari Global History 10 Pre-IB

The Radical Phase of the RevolutionIn 1793, the revolution entered a radical phase. For a year, France experienced one of the bloodiest regimes in its long history as determined leaders sought to extend and preserve the revolution.

National Convention ReformsBacked by Paris crowds, radicals took control of the National Assembly. Radicals called for the election of a new legislative body the National Convention. The Convention granted suffrage to all male citizens, seized noble lands and titles and held the king accountable for his actions. Below are two different viewpoints on the trial and execution of King Louis XVI on January 23, 1791.

Comparing Viewpoints

POINT OF VIEW #1- "FOR THE EXECUTION""The crimes of Louis XVI are unhappily too real; they are consistent; they are notorious. Do we even have to ask the question of whether a nation has the right to judge, and execute, its highest ranking official ... when, to more securely plot against the nation, he concealed himself behind a mask of hypocrisy? Or when, instead of using the authority confided in him to protect his countrymen, he used it to oppress them? Or when he turned the laws into an instrument of violence to crush the supporters of the Revolution? Or when he robbed the citizens of their gold in order to subsidize their foes, and robbed them of their subsistence in order to feed the barbarian hordes that came to slaughter them? Or when he created monopolies in order to create famine by drying up the sources of abundance so that people might die in misery and hunger ...

-Jean-Paul Marat, 1791

POINT OF VIEW #2 – AGAINST THE EXECUTION

"The Republican tyrants of France have now carried their bloody purposes to the uttermost diabolical stretch of savage cruelty. They have murdered their king without even the shadow of justice, and of course they cannot expect friendship or any relationship with any civilized part of the world. The vengeance of Europe will now rapidly fall on them; and, in process of time, make them the worst wretches on the face of the earth. The name of Frenchman will be considered as an appellation of savage, and

their presences shall be shunned as a poison, deadly destructive to the peace and happiness of Mankind. It appears evident, that the majority of the National Convention, and the Executive Government of that truly despotic country are comprised of the most execrable villains upon the face of the earth…

1. Based on these opposing viewpoints, do you believe that King Louis XVI should have been executed? Explain. THE REIGN OF TERROR

The Committee of Public Safety and the Revolutionary Tribunal were instituted immediately after the execution of the King. From autumn 1793 to midsummer 1794, the revolution in France was overshadowed by a time of terror as the Committee of Public Safety rounded up "suspected persons" all over France. The Reign of Terror was, in essence, the government against its opponents. The leader of the Committee of Public Safety was named Robespierre. He believed that everything that he did was for the good of France. In his ideal world everyone would be free, equal and well educated. Robespierre launched a program that was to silence people who criticized the government in any way. There were special courts that tried people who had been arrested for being “enemies” of the Republic. During this time, there were between twenty and forty thousand people executed by means of the guillotine as well other forms of execution. Only about 15% of those sentenced by death by guillotine were of the nobility and clergy. Most were artisans and peasants of the Third Estate. Prisons in Paris, which included places such as former mansions and palaces, religious premises, and colleges, became more and more crowded as the number of suspects increased. Once sentenced to death, the condemned might travel an hour by guillotine

by cart as onlookers threw mud at them.1. What was the purpose of the Committee of Public Safety?

z. Which estate was targeted?

PRIMARY SOURCE ACCOUNT: February 5, 1794- Robespierre outlined why terror was necessary to achieve the goals of the revolution:

"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 people by terror ... if the basis of populargovernment in time of peace is virtue, the basis of populargovernment in the time of revolution is both virtue and terror. "

"France can achieve a republic of virtue and liberty can be secured through terror, which is prompt, severe andinflexible justice. Liberty cannot be secured unless criminalsloose their heads.

"

3· Why is terror necessary according to Robespierre?

4.ls fear the only way to maintain security?

The End of the Reign of Terror and the Directory

The Reign of Terror came to an end when Robespierre was arrested in July 27, 1794. The next day he was escorted to the guillotine and was executed. This was the day that finally ended the reign of terror.

On August 22, 1795, the convention was finally able to ratify a new constitution, the Constitution of 1795, which ushered in a period of governmental restructuring. The new legislature would consist of two houses: an upper house, called the Council of Ancients, consisting of 250 members, and a lower house, called the Council of Five Hundred, consisting of 500 members. Fearing influence from the left, the convention decreed that two-thirds of the members of the first new legislature had to have already served on the National Convention between 1792-1795.

The new constitution also stipulated that the executive body of the new government would be a group of five officers called the Directory. Although the directory would have no legislative power, it would have the authority to appoint people to fill the other positions within the government, which was a source of considerable power in itself. Annual elections would be held to keep the new government in check. The dilemma facing the new Directory was a daunting one: essentially, it had to rid the scene of Jacobin influence while at the same time prevent royalists from taking advantage of the disarray and reclaiming the throne. As it turned out, however, the new government’s priorities became its downfall rather than address the deteriorating economic situation in the country, the legislature instead focused on keeping progressive members out. Ultimately, paranoia and attempts at overprotection weakened the group. This new Directory was powerfully conservative, initiating strong new financial policies and cracking down on radicalism through executions and other means. However, the coup and the Directory’s subsequent abuses of power destroyed all of the government’s credibility and further disillusioned the French populace.

Questions:

1. What was the Directory?

2. What established the Directory? Why do you think this was created?

3. Did the Directory meet the needs of the people? Why or why not?