In 1792, the National assembly of France faced a dilemma. The moderate bourgeoisie elements of the Assembly wanted an end to the revolution, their aim of instituting a constitutional monarchy and limiting the powers of nobles have already been achieved. But growing unrest of the frustrated poor, who felt they had gained little, frightened the Assembly. And intense opposition and hostility from the elites who lost their privileges threatened to push the country into counter-revolution. These forces pulled on the government from above and below. And finally, there was the strain of the looming war with Austria and Prussia. Under these cumulative pressures the revolution became increasingly radical, leading ultimately to the Reign of Terror.
By the end of 1791, the Ancien Regime was effectively dismantled in France. The past two years of peaceful insurrection had given citizens freedom and liberty, and it had removed power
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This was certainly the case with the French revolution. Robespierre's definition of `radical' becomes ever more radical, so much so that even former radical leaders, such as Danton was found to be too moderate and was executed by Robespierre on charges of treason. Between 1792 and 1794, the Jacobin leadership attempted many extraordinarily radical changes in a very short space of time. The problem was that most of these changes did not truly have the support of the majority of French citizens. In response to increasing resistance, the revolutionary government became more dictatorial, tightening its grip and ultimately resorting to mass executions to quiet those opposing their policies. This time of terror scared the people, and their revolts towards the government