THE REIGN OF TERROR IN FRANCE (1793-1794)

THE CAUSES OF REIGN OF TERROR IN FRANCE.

By 1795, the peaceful revolution that started in may 1789 changed its dimension to reign of terror and violent action. The reign of terror was the second significant stage in the course of the French revolution. It started after the death of Mirabeau and ended with the death of Robespierre.
It was period characterized by violence, total breakdown of law and order, loss of property, heavy massacres and torture. In this period, there was a lot of bloodshed that caused fear to many people. The king and his wife were executed in September 1793 along with other 27,000 people during this period of terror.

The death of mirabeau ( April,1791)

The death of Mirabeau had deprived the revolutionary France of a true parent, soul and spirit. His death led to power struggle and the reign of terror. He had been one of the most outstanding revolutionary leaders since 1789.As a leader of national assembly, ho would sympathize with Monarchs. Therefore, with his own words that ‘I hold with me the last rag of this monarchy” became a reality. After his death, revolutionaries lacked a sense direction to guide them.

2. The formation of Political clubs.

The emergency of violent and suspicious political clubs caused a reign of .terror. This clubs like the Jacobins, Girondin, Cordilier and Ferilant had partly emerged from the 1791 constitution they had divergent political ideologies and hatred for one another, hence, reign of terror.

3. The influence of the émigrés.

The Émigrés were Nobles and Clergy who fled out of France when the revolution began. They went to countries like Austria, Prussia, and began asking military assistance from these countries to comeback to fight the revolutionaries, to restore king to his throne.eg, by 1792, they had mobilized 20,000 troops in the boarder of Austria and France this forced Murato to murder 1500 suspects royalists in prison.

4. Mob Actions.

By 1793, the mob actions have become the order of the day especially in Paris. The mob normally put the law in their hands to administer justice. These mobs could kill even suspects especially those one whom they think are linked to the Emigries.This mob action truly led to reign of terror.

5. The mistreating of king LouisXVI.

The revolutionaries by this time had no respect for the king leading to mistreatment and torture on king LouiXVI.The torture of King Louis made other European powers to be concern, hence, making it an international concern. Countries like Russia sent warning to France to stop torturing the king. This made the revolutionaries even more aggressive than ever before, leading to the reign of terror.

6. Economic Hardships in France.

France by this time experienced Economic crisis such as unemployment, inflation, famine and all these led to reign of terror. Unemployed people normally organized themselves into angry mob ready to kill. Food prices had gone too high for the ordinary Frenchman to afford. Money had completely lost value. The reign of terror would not be avoided in France due to above economic hardship.