French Revolution: Reign of Terror

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary reason for the implementation of the Reign of Terror?

To implement the calendar changes desired by the Jacobins.
To establish a system of universal suffrage in France.
To quell internal dissent and opposition to the Revolution. (correct)
To expand the control of the Committee of Public Safety.

Which event marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror?

The passage of the Law of Suspects.
The establishment of the Committee of Public Safety. (correct)
The execution of King Louis XVI.
The rise of Robespierre to leadership of the Committee of Public Safety.

Why did the Jacobins consider religion 'old-fashioned and dangerous'?

They sought to establish a new religion based on human reason.
They believed it hindered the development of a rational society. (correct)
They saw religion as a symbol of the old regime they were trying to dismantle.
They feared the influence of the Church on political affairs.

Which of the following events occurred during the Reign of Terror?

The execution of Robespierre. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the 'republic of virtue' envisioned by Robespierre?

To eliminate all traces of the past and establish a new society built on reason. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the Jacobins seek to control internal enemies of the French Republic?

By using strong force and instilling fear through the Reign of Terror. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was a defining characteristic of the Reign of Terror?

A period of intense political repression and violence. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary objective of the Law of Suspects?

To expand the definition of treason and target enemies of the revolution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the consequence of the Reign of Terror?

It fostered widespread fear and distrust, contributing to the instability of the French Republic. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason the Law of Suspects was passed in September 1793?

To suppress counter-revolutionary uprisings and address fears of a foreign invasion. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the Decree Against Profiteers, what was the primary motivation behind the Committee of Public Safety's actions?

To ensure a fair and equitable distribution of resources among all citizens. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST aligns with the Committee of Public Safety's methods, as illustrated by the Decree Against Profiteers and the Law of Suspects?

A reliance on radical measures to protect the Revolution from its enemies. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the Committee of Public Safety's primary role in the French Revolution?

To protect the Revolution from its internal and external enemies. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST characterizes Robespierre’s justification for the Reign of Terror?

A conviction that terror was a necessary tool to protect the Revolution from its enemies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why would Robespierre and his supporters attempt to “wipe out every trace of France’s past”?

To prevent the return of the monarchy and the old order. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the primary ideals of the French Revolution that Robespierre sought to protect?

Universal suffrage and democracy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a valid criticism of the Committee of Public Safety’s actions?

Their actions were often too extreme and violated basic human rights. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the French Revolution from the Decree Against Profiteers and Law of Suspects?

The French Revolution was a complex and challenging period of upheaval and uncertainty. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following MOST accurately describes the Committee of Public Safety's approach to protecting the Revolution?

They relied on fear and intimidation to suppress dissent and opposition. (D) Signup and view all the answers

During the Reign of Terror, the Jacobins sought to create a 'republic of virtue' by abolishing many aspects of France's past. Which of the following IS NOT a direct consequence of this objective?

The Jacobins implemented a system of universal suffrage. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Reign of Terror was a period of intense political repression in France. Which of the following MOST accurately describes the impact of this period on the French Revolution?

The Reign of Terror intensified political divisions within France, ultimately contributing to the downfall of the revolution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following events MOST directly contributed to the rise of the Committee of Public Safety and its subsequent control over France during the Reign of Terror?

The invasion of France by Prussia and Austria led to a sense of national crisis and a demand for decisive action. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Law of Suspects, enacted in September 1793, granted the Committee of Public Safety significant power to arrest and execute individuals suspected of opposing the revolution. Which of the following BEST explains the context surrounding the enactment of this law?

The French government, besieged by internal and external threats, needed to establish strict measures to safeguard the revolution's goals. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Reign of Terror witnessed a period of intense and widespread executions of individuals accused of opposing the revolution. Which of the following BEST explains the primary motivation behind this policy?

The Jacobins feared that any opposition, no matter how small, could unravel the revolution and lead to the restoration of the monarchy. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Committee of Public Safety, during the Reign of Terror, implemented a policy of severe repression and control. Which of the following was a direct consequence of the Committee's actions?

The Committee's actions created a culture of fear and suspicion, where citizens were afraid to express dissent or speak out against the revolutionary government. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Jacobins sought to establish a 'republic of virtue' during the Reign of Terror, which involved abolishing many traditional aspects of French society. Which of the following is a significant difference between the Jacobins' vision of a 'republic of virtue' and the goals of the French Revolution as initially envisioned by the National Assembly?

The Jacobins were willing to use extreme measures to achieve their goals, while the National Assembly prioritized a more moderate and gradual approach to reform. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The Reign of Terror, despite its name, was not solely aimed at suppressing internal opposition. What was another key motivating factor behind the Jacobins' actions?

The Jacobins sought to establish a unified and strong national identity, effectively eliminating all external threats and securing French borders. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The Law of Suspects, enacted in September 1793, was a key element of the Reign of Terror. Which of the following BEST explains how this law contributed to the climate of fear and suspicion in France?

The Law of Suspects, by defining a wide range of activities as 'suspect', fostered a climate of suspicion, as anyone could be accused of treason or counter-revolution. (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Jacobins, during the Reign of Terror, implemented a new calendar and attempted to eradicate traditional religious practices. Which of the following BEST explains the rationale behind these actions?

The Jacobins sought to create a new identity for France, one that would be free from the influence of the past and based on reason and enlightenment principles. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Committee of Public Safety's primary approach to protecting the Revolution in France?

Suppression of opposition through arrests, trials, and executions, targeting any perceived threats to the revolution. (B) Signup and view all the answers

The passage lists the execution of a youth for cutting down a liberty tree as an example of the Reign of Terror. What aspect of this example best highlights the arbitrary and excessive nature of the terror?

The punishment being disproportionate to the alleged crime, as cutting down a tree was not a serious offense. (A) Signup and view all the answers

According to the documents, what was the primary concern driving the Committee of Public Safety's decision to implement the "Decree Against Profiteers"?

Maintaining public order by preventing widespread hunger and unrest caused by rising bread prices. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the "Law of Suspects" expand the reach of the Committee of Public Safety beyond its initial mandate to combat external enemies?

By criminalizing dissent and suspicion, the law allowed the committee to target individuals who were simply critical of the government or held different political views. (A) Signup and view all the answers

The passage states that approximately 85% of those executed during the Reign of Terror were peasants or members of the urban poor and middle class. What does this fact reveal about the social impact of the Terror?

The Terror disproportionately affected the most vulnerable segments of society, contradicting the revolution's initial promise of equality and freedom. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred from the "Decree Against Profiteers" and the "Law of Suspects" about the Committee of Public Safety's approach to achieving stability in France?

The Committee prioritized the suppression of any opposition, believing that stability could only be achieved through complete control and enforced compliance. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately reflects Robespierre's stated justification for using terror to protect the Revolution?

Robespierre claimed that terror actually fostered virtue and patriotism in citizens, helping them to remain true to the ideals of the revolution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, which of these was NOT a direct consequence of the Reign of Terror?

The development of a new calendar and the elimination of religious holidays, aimed at erasing traditional French customs. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How does the information about the execution of a youth for cutting down a liberty tree help to understand the dynamic between the ideals of the French Revolution and the actions of the Committee of Public Safety?

The incident highlights the hypocrisy of the revolution's ideals, which were used to justify arbitrary and brutal actions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most accurate explanation for the "Law of Suspects" being passed in September 1793, following the "Decree Against Profiteers" in July 1793?

The Committee of Public Safety extended its focus from economic threats to encompass a broader definition of "enemies" of the revolution. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following MOST accurately reflects the rationale behind the Jacobins' attempt to eradicate traditional religious practices during the Reign of Terror?

They aimed to create a new and unified national identity based on secular principles, rejecting the influence of traditional institutions. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided information, which of the following statements BEST depicts the Committee of Public Safety's approach to attaining stability in France during the Reign of Terror?

The Committee aimed to consolidate power through a strategy of eliminating potential threats and consolidating control over all aspects of society. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements BEST describes the dynamic between the ideals of the French Revolution and the actions of the Committee of Public Safety, as illustrated by the example of a youth being executed for cutting down a liberty tree?

While the original ideals of the Revolution emphasized liberty and equality, the Committee’s actions demonstrate a growing disconnect between these ideals and the realities of the Terror. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST explains the 'Law of Suspects' being enacted in September 1793, following the 'Decree Against Profiteers' in July 1793?

The Committee of Public Safety expanded its reach from economic offenses to include political dissent, as the perceived threats to the Revolution grew more complex. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most accurate explanation for why the Jacobins' vision of a 'republic of virtue' during the Reign of Terror conflicted with the original goals of the French Revolution, as initially envisioned by the National Assembly?

The National Assembly's vision of a republic based on the principle of individual liberty was threatened by the Jacobins' totalitarian approach to establishing a 'republic of virtue.' (D) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Reign of Terror

A period during the French Revolution (1793-1794) characterized by mass executions of perceived enemies.

Committee of Public Safety

The governing body that led France during the Reign of Terror, overseeing repression of dissent.

Maximilien Robespierre

A key Jacobin leader who dominated the Committee of Public Safety and was a major figure in the Reign of Terror.