Reign of Terror (France)

The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a tumultuous period during the French Revolution when the ruling Jacobins, led by Robespierre, used extreme measures to defend the revolution from enemies. It involved mass executions of perceived opponents, including King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette, primarily through the guillotine. The government justified these actions as necessary to protect the revolution’s ideals of liberty and equality. The Terror ended with Robespierre's arrest and execution, marking a shift towards more moderate governance. It remains a controversial chapter, highlighting how revolutionary ideals can lead to violence and chaos.