The 'Reign of Terror' in revolutionary France referred to

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  1. Bands of revolutionaries moving around to terrorise people who did not participate in the revolution 
  2. The royal forces punishing people who participated in the revolution
  3. Trial and beheading persons considered enemies of the republic by the revolutionary tribunal
  4. The general atmosphere of insecurity perceived by people after the beheading of the king

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Option 3 : Trial and beheading persons considered enemies of the republic by the revolutionary tribunal
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The correct answer is 3.Key Points

  • The 'Reign of Terror' in revolutionary France referred to:
    • 3) Trial and beheading persons considered enemies of the republic by the revolutionary tribunal
  • During the Reign of Terror (1793-1794), the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, wielded immense power. The revolutionary tribunal conducted speedy trials, and many perceived as enemies of the republic were executed by guillotine.
  • It was a period marked by political violence, mass executions, and the suppression of perceived counter-revolutionaries.

Additional Information

  • The 'Reign of Terror' in revolutionary France (1793-1794) was a period marked by intense political violence and mass executions.
  • Background:
    • French Revolution Context: The Reign of Terror occurred during the broader French Revolution, a period of radical social and political change.
    • Key Aspects of the Reign of Terror:
      • Committee of Public Safety: The Committee, led by Maximilien Robespierre, was established to deal with the external and internal threats to the revolution.
      • Threats to the Revolution: The revolutionary leaders faced internal challenges from counter-revolutionaries and external threats from monarchies that opposed the revolutionary ideals.
      • Revolutionary Tribunal: The Committee established the Revolutionary Tribunal to conduct trials of those accused of being enemies of the republic.
      • Swift Justice: Trials were conducted quickly, and the accused were often presumed guilty. The standard of evidence was often low, leading to widespread and arbitrary executions.
      • Guillotine Executions: The guillotine became the symbol of the Reign of Terror. Thousands of people, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, were executed by this method.
      • De-Christianization: The revolutionaries pursued radical measures, including the de-Christianization of society, attempting to replace religious traditions with new revolutionary ones.

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