What is the Reign of Terror?

The Reign of Terror (French: la Terreur) was a period of extreme political violence during the French Revolution, lasting from 5 September 1793 to 27 July 1794 (9 Thermidor Year II). During this period, the Committee of Public Safety, dominated by Maximilien Robespierre, exercised virtual dictatorial control over the French government.

The Terror arose from the revolutionary government's perceived need to defend the Republic against internal enemies (royalists, counter-revolutionaries) and external threats (war with European monarchies). On 5 September 1793, the National Convention decreed that "terror is the order of the day". The Law of 22 Prairial (10 June 1794) eliminated suspects' rights to public trial and legal counsel, leaving juries only the choice of acquittal or death.

By the end of the Terror, 16,594 official death sentences had been carried out across France (2,639 in Paris alone), with an estimated 10,000-20,000 additional deaths in prison or without trial. The period ended with the Thermidorian Reaction -- Robespierre was arrested on 27 July 1794 and executed the following day.

Key Features

# Feature Details
1 Duration 5 September 1793 to 27 July 1794 (approximately 10 months)
2 Key Figure Maximilien Robespierre, dominant member of the Committee of Public Safety
3 Instrument of Death The guillotine; became the symbol of revolutionary justice
4 Official Death Toll 16,594 official executions; 10,000-20,000 additional deaths
5 Law of Suspects (17 September 1793) Enabled arrest of anyone deemed "enemies of freedom"
6 Law of 22 Prairial (10 June 1794) Stripped accused of legal defence; only acquittal or death
7 Revolutionary Tribunal Special court in Paris for trying political offenders
8 Committee of Public Safety De facto executive government; 12 members including Robespierre, Saint-Just
9 Dechristianization Campaign to remove Christian influence; new Revolutionary Calendar introduced
10 Thermidorian Reaction Robespierre arrested (27 July 1794) and executed (28 July); Terror ended

UPSC Exam Corner

Prelims: Key Facts

  • Period: 5 September 1793 to 27 July 1794
  • Leader: Maximilien Robespierre (Committee of Public Safety)
  • Official executions: 16,594 across France
  • Ended by: Thermidorian Reaction (arrest and execution of Robespierre)
  • Key law: Law of 22 Prairial stripped accused of all legal rights

Mains: Probable Themes

  1. "The Reign of Terror was the revolution devouring its own children." -- Critically analyse
  2. Examine the paradox of using violence to establish a republic based on liberty, equality, and fraternity
  3. Compare the Reign of Terror with other revolutionary excesses (Russian Revolution, Cultural Revolution)
  4. "Was the Terror an aberration or a logical outcome of the French Revolution?" -- Discuss

Sources: Reign of Terror (Wikipedia) | Reign of Terror (Britannica) | Robespierre (Britannica) | Reign of Terror (World History Encyclopedia)