The French Revolution

5 September 1793: Reign of Terror 

The Reign of Terror had a single legislative beginning: on September 5th 1793, when Montagnard deputies in the National Convention called for the use of terror against counter-revolutionaries. Addressing the Convention, the radical Jacobin and Committee of Public Safety member Bertrand Barère summarised what was needed:

“Terror is the order of the day. This is how to do away instantly with both royalists and moderates and the restless, counter-revolutionary scum. The royalists want blood, well, they shall have the blood of the conspirators, the likes of Brissot and Marie Antoinette. It will be an operation for special Revolutionary Tribunals.”

AoSHQ: Morning Report 09.05.24