Reign Of Terror Dbq Essay

King Louis XVI of England needed to raise more money for his growing army and empire. After he failed to raise taxes, he called a meeting of the Estates Generals. That meeting ended up becoming a protest against the horrible conditions in France. The people of France were displeased with their living conditions and argued that France is the wealthiest country in Europe so they should be living comfortably. Austria and Prussia also form an alliance in which they decide to impose war on France. This leads to even more chaos in the country and the beginning of the Reign of Terror. Although the French formed the conscripted army which protected them from foreign threats, the entire nation fell into chaos and immense amounts of public executions

“[In March 1793] the revolutionary Tribunal (a court of justice) was established to try all crimes against the state. Tribunal members would not be elected by the people, but appointed by the National Convention (the revolutionary government) and their power would be absolute” (Doc E). The people of France could not choose who would be monitoring their opinions and behavior toward the government which deeply upset them. “A careless word of criticism spoken against the government could put one in prison or worse” (Doc E). Citizens of France had no freedom of speech and could never openly express their opinions on the government which led to revolting and angry mobs. The author, Steven Otfinoski, wrote this passage to let the reader know all of the terrors and imposing forces that scared and held back the people of France. Their article also explains one of the reasons that the French revolted and also gives us an example of why the Reign of Terror was so awful and unjustified. There is no bias because there is no reason to be biased or make one side sound better than the

“In October 1793, Revolutionaries decided to make an example of counter-revolutionaries in Lyons. On one day, revolutionaries destroyed 1600 homes and chopped off 12 heads in five minutes” (Doc C). The revolutionary government did not accept any type of rebellion or disagreement no matter where you are in France or what class you are. They monitored all of France and would do everything in their power to end any opposing opinions. “Historians estimate that anywhere between 80,000 and 500,000 French people on both sides died in the Vendée in 1793” (Doc C). The people of France wanted to fight for what they believed in, but the patriots and revolutionary government did everything in their power to stop that even if it resulted in mass amounts of death. The map was created to show the reader that everywhere in France people were fighting back and disagreeing with the revolutionary government, but were met with fighting and destruction. The map is also biased against the mostly negative