The Reign of Terror

Maximilien Robespirre, a unique member of the Jacobin Club, formed the Republic of Virtue.   He was a radical that wanted to wipe all traces of France's past monarchy and nobility.   Whether he was doing this for the good of the country or not, it did not help the people.   All it brought was havoc and problems to France.   This merciless period is called the Reign of Terror.


The radicals brought changes quickly to the people.   They created a calendar with no Sundays for the evilness of religion.   Cards were changed from kings and queens to liberties and equalities.   In other words, they blew the revolution out of proportion.   Robespierre went crazy with his power; he judged who was an enemy and guillotined them.


Robespierre was accusing revolutionaries that helped bring the government down as enemies.   In October 1793, the republic executed many of the leaders who once created this government.   The Republic of Virtue brought strict laws and rules to the people and sentenced many to death if they were broken.   An 18-year-old boy was killed for sawing down a tree that was planted for liberty.   It's ironic how liberty is stated when all the republic does is guillotine people for minor charges.


On July 1794, members of the National Convention met to discuss the Reign of Terror.   They did not wish to die with their ex-revolutionaries nor did they want the following government to ruin France.   Thus, they demanded Robespierre's arrest.   Delegates from both sides, radicals and conservative politicians, voted him down and wished him guillotined just like he did to so many other people.   Within two days, he was executed and the Reign of Terror finally ended.