guided essay the reign of terror was it justified

Guided Essay: The Reign of Terror: Was It Justified? I....

Guided Essay: The Reign of Terror: Was It Justified?

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Grabber:

B. Background information:

The Reign of Terror lasted less than two years, from the execution of Louis XVI in January 1793 to late July 1794. During those eighteen months, more than 20,000 French people were put to death by guillotine.

C. Restatement of the question:

The question is whether or not this behavior by the revolutionary French government was justified.

D. Thesis and Road Map:

The Reign of Terror . . . (was / was not) justified. This claim can be supported by three reasons: . . . , . . . , and . . ..

II. BODY PARAGRAPH #1

A. Baby Thesis: The first reason the Reign of Terror was . . . (justified / not justified) was . . .

B. Evidence: Provide at least two pieces of evidence that support your baby thesis.

C. Argument:

This evidence shows that the Reign of Terror was . . . (justified / not justified) because . . .

III.  BODY PARAGRAPH #2

A. Baby Thesis: A second reason the Reign of Terror was . . . (justified / not justified) was . . .

B. Evidence: Provide at least two pieces of evidence that describes this reason.

This evidence shows that the Reign of Terror was (justified / not justified) because . . .

Build Paragraph

IV. BODY PARAGRAPH #3

Baby Thesis: Finally, the Reign of Terror was . . . (justified / not justified) when it came to . . .

B. Evidence: Provide at least two examples that describe this reason.

In this regard, the Reign of Terror was (justified / not justified) because . . .

V. CONCLUSION

A. "Although" statement:

The opposite argument could be made about the Reign of Terror. For example, one might say that . . .

B. Summarize your arguments and restate your main idea with fresh conviction and new words:

Answer & Explanation

. INTRODUCTION

A. Grabber: The Reign of Terror, a dark period in the French Revolution, is known for its excessive use of the guillotine that led to the death of thousands of French citizens.

B. Background information: The Reign of Terror lasted from January 1793 to July 1794, and over 20,000 French people were executed.

C. Restatement of the question: The question is whether the actions of the French government during the Reign of Terror were justified.

D. Thesis and Road Map: The Reign of Terror was not justified. This claim can be supported by three reasons: the excessive use of violence, the violation of human rights, and the failure to achieve its goals.

A. Baby Thesis: The first reason the Reign of Terror was not justified was its excessive use of violence.

B. Evidence: During the Reign of Terror, thousands of people were executed, often without a fair trial or evidence of wrongdoing. The guillotine became a symbol of the revolution, and its use was often motivated by political reasons rather than actual guilt.

C. Argument: This evidence shows that the Reign of Terror was not justified because the use of excessive violence went against the principles of the revolution, which aimed to establish a fair and just society.

III. BODY PARAGRAPH #2

A. Baby Thesis: The second reason the Reign of Terror was not justified was the violation of human rights.

B. Evidence: During the Reign of Terror, people were arrested and executed for expressing their opinions, practicing their religion, or belonging to a certain social class. The government also established a surveillance system that monitored people's activities and punished those who were deemed to be enemies of the revolution.

C. Argument: This evidence shows that the Reign of Terror was not justified because it violated basic human rights, such as freedom of expression and association, which were essential to the principles of the revolution.

A. Baby Thesis: Finally, the Reign of Terror was not justified when it came to achieving its goals.

B. Evidence: Despite the use of violence and repression, the Reign of Terror failed to establish a stable and democratic government. Instead, it created a climate of fear and mistrust that hindered social and political progress.

C. Argument: In this regard, the Reign of Terror was not justified because it failed to achieve its goals and instead created more problems than it solved.

A. "Although" statement: Although some argue that the Reign of Terror was necessary to establish a strong government, this argument overlooks the excessive use of violence and the violation of basic human rights.

B. Summarize your arguments and restate your main idea with fresh conviction and new words: In conclusion, the Reign of Terror was not justified because it went against the principles of the revolution, violated basic human rights, and failed to achieve its goals. Instead of creating a fair and just society, it created a climate of fear and mistrust that lasted for years after the revolution.

The Reign of Terror was a period in the French Revolution that lasted from January 1793 to July 1794. During this time, over 20,000 French people were executed by the guillotine. The question of whether this was justified or not is a topic of debate.

However, there are several reasons why the Reign of Terror was not justified. Firstly, it was marked by the excessive use of violence. Thousands of people were executed, often without a fair trial or evidence of wrongdoing. The guillotine became a symbol of the revolution, and its use was often motivated by political reasons rather than actual guilt. This use of excessive violence went against the principles of the revolution, which aimed to establish a fair and just society.

Secondly, the Reign of Terror violated basic human rights. People were arrested and executed for expressing their opinions, practicing their religion, or belonging to a certain social class. The government also established a surveillance system that monitored people's activities and punished those who were deemed to be enemies of the revolution. This violation of basic human rights, such as freedom of expression and association, went against the very principles of the revolution.

Finally, the Reign of Terror failed to achieve its goals. Despite the use of violence and repression, the Reign of Terror failed to establish a stable and democratic government. Instead, it created a climate of fear and mistrust that hindered social and political progress. This failure to achieve its goals meant that the Reign of Terror was not justified and instead created more problems than it solved.

In conclusion, the Reign of Terror was not justified because it went against the principles of the revolution, violated basic human rights, and failed to achieve its goals. Instead of creating a fair and just society, it created a climate of fear and mistrust that lasted for years after the revolution. Therefore, the use of violence and repression during the Reign of Terror cannot be justified.

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The Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror, the harrowing chapter of the French Revolution between 1793 and 1794, is vividly explored in this narrative. It focuses on the radical phase of this revolution and how political upheaval, economic crisis, and external threats culminated in a period marked by mass executions, political purges, and increased state control.

It reflects the pursuit of revolutionary ideals by the Committee of Public Safety, coupled with a pervasive atmosphere of fear and suspicion. This allegorical narrative summarizes the complex legacy of the Reign of Terror, where the quest for freedom intertwines with the harsh realities of violence and repression, ultimately shaping the course of post-revolutionary France.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Reign of Terror was the period 1793–94. Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre followed a strict policy of control and punishment. He was known for establishing a reign of terror in France. A trendy device called the guillotine was used. All those who were considered enemies of the republic, members of other political parties, and even those of the same party but not agreeing to Robespierre’s method were indicted. If the court found them guilty of the charges, they were convicted.

What was the reign of terror like?

The Reign of Terror was the period of the French Revolution . It took place from September 1793 to July 1794. It was characterized by mass executions and violence. The Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, played an important role. The Reign of Terror focused on the perceived enemies of the revolution, including counter-revolutionaries and suspected traitors. Thousands of people were executed by guillotine, including aristocrats, clergy, and ordinary citizens. The Reign of Terror ended with the fall of Robespierre and the Thermidorian Reaction in July 1794.

Origins of Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror emerged due to the revolutionary government’s fear and desire to protect itself during the French Revolution. There has been a constant undercurrent of fear and paranoia since the beginning of the revolution. On July 22, 1789, the first act of terrorism occurred when a Parisian mob brutally killed the royal minister, Joseph Foullon, and his son-in-law amid fears of an aristocratic plot to starve the people. During the same period, the Great Fear spread among the peasants. This led to raids on the castles of their lordly lords due to rumors of the counter-revolutionary activities of the aristocracy. Fear and anxiety became more widespread as the French Revolution progressed and France became involved in conflicts with other countries. The depreciation of the assignat currency and the continued scarcity of available bread compounded these concerns. Despite the passage of time, ordinary people continued to face extreme poverty, hunger and unemployment. Inflammatory journalists and politicians constantly blamed counter-revolutionary agents or foreign conspirators for the plight of the people. Actions by the enemies of the revolution, such as the Brunswick Manifesto, which threatened to destroy Paris, reinforced the idea that the freedom of the people was in grave danger. The September Massacres of 1792, when mobs killed thousands of “counter-revolutionaries” and priests, exemplified moments of mass hysteria during this period. In the summer of 1793, counter-revolutionary threats seemed to be everywhere, including brutal civil wars and the assassination of Maratha. These events contributed to the belief that the Republic was under attack from within, with the most dangerous enemies being French citizens.

Causes of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror, the most violent period of the French Revolution, was influenced by various factors outside of Robespierre’s policies. These factors can be examined in different categories:

(1) Threats of Foreign Invasion

European monarchs saw revolution as a threat to their power and signed the Pillnitz Declaration in August 1791, creating fear of invasion among the French.

(2) Declaration of War

The Jacobins and Girondins declared war on Austria and Prussia in 1792, leading to the War of the First Coalition. The combined forces threatened retaliation if any harm came to Louis XVI and declared that “Paris will burn.”.

(3) Jacobins

Originally founded as Club Brenton, the Jacobin Club was led by Maximilien Robespierre. They were radicals and believed that the aristocracy and other counter-revolutionaries would oppose the momentum of the Russian Revolution.

(4) Girondins

This was an informal alliance of the southwestern Gironde region. They supported the revolution, but opposed the increasing violence and wanted a decentralized constitutional solution.

(5) Popular Pressure

Radical revolutionary groups, especially the Sans-culottes, put pressure on the National Convention to implement reforms to uplift the poor. The Sans-culottes, revolutionaries from the working class, demanded the expulsion of the 29 Girondins, whom they considered too moderate.

(6) Religious conflict

Conflicts arose between those who rejected the concept of God and those who believed in him, contributing to the use of terror to maintain control and prevent further escalation. The civil constitution of the clergy in July 1790 rejected Catholicism and turned priests into state-paid civil servants.

(7) Influence of the Enlightenment

The rise of rational thought and challenges to the moral and legal foundations of society coincided with the Revolution. Robespierre believed that achieving the government’s duty to the general public required removing those he saw as tyrants fighting against the virtues of the French Revolution and the honor of government.

Robespierre

One of the most powerful and influential figures of the French Revolution, Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre was a French lawyer and politician best known for the Reign of Terror. Born on May 6, 1758, Robespierre became increasingly popular for his attacks on the monarchy and the democratic reforms he advocated. Robespierre followed strict policies and those who did not follow them faced harsh punishments. Some of his policies were: laws setting ceilings on maximum wages and prices, meat and bread rationing, the government fixed grain prices and the peasants were forced to transport and sell them at those prices, he banned expensive white bread and every citizen was to use a flat loaf, a loaf made from whole wheat, Equality can also be seen in forms of speech and address such as the use of Citoyen and Citoyenne (Citizen) instead of the traditional Monsieur (Sir) and Madame (Madam) Churches were converted into barracks and offices. After the execution of King Louis XI. power fell between the Jacobins and the Girondins. The Jacobins used power and controlled the crowd along with arresting the Girondins. As a result, control of the country passed to the Committee of Public Safety, and Robespierre was a member of this committee. He gradually became the dominant force in this committee. Robespierre was a passionate supporter of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and in May 1974 he insisted the National Assembly declare a new official religion for France based on the teachings of Jean-Jacques Rousseau. The policy was so strict that even his supporters demanded moderation, making him very unpopular. He was finally convicted and guillotined in July 1974.

Main Instruments of Terror

The main instruments of terror used during the Reign of Terror were:

(1) Committee of Public Safety

The Committee of Public Safety was a committee of twelve members. It was given extraordinary powers to suppress counter-revolutionaries. The committee had the power to arrest, try and execute suspects without trial.

(2) Revolutionary Tribunal

The Revolutionary Tribunal was a special court. It was established to try counter-revolutionaries. The tribunal was known for its kangaroo trials and high conviction rate.

(3) Law of Suspects

The Law of Suspects was the law. It allowed the authorities to arrest anyone suspected of being a counter-revolutionary. The law was very broadly defined and led to the arrest of thousands of people.

(4) Guillotine

The guillotine was a machine used to behead people. It was used to execute thousands of people during the Reign of Terror.

Victims of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a period of great violence and bloodshed. It is estimated that between 15,000 and 40,000 people were executed during this time. The victims of the Terrorist Government came from all walks of life. Among them were nobles, clergy, peasants and workers. Some of the most famous victims of the Reign of Terror include:

• (1) King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette
• (2) Maximilien Robespierre
• (3) Georges Jacques Danton
• (4) Camille Desmoulins
• (5) Charlotte Corday
• (6) Olympe de Gouges
• (7) Madame du Barry
• (8) Antoine Lavoisier
• (9) Andre Chenier
• (10) Jacques Hébert
• (11) Georges Couthon
• (12) Saint-Just

Opposition to the Terror

One of the most prominent opponents of the Reign of Terror was Georges Danton, an influential member of the Jacobins and Robespierre’s political rival. By the fall of 1793, Danton claimed that the instability threatening the revolution that had justified the terror was over. In a speech to the Convention on November 20, 1793, Danton called for an end to the killing. “I demand that we spare human blood! Let the Convention be fair to those who are not avowed enemies of the people,” he said, according to David Lawday’s “The Giant of the French Revolution: Danton, a Life” (Grove Press, 2010). Danton also co-edited papers that criticized the Terror, the Convention, and Robespierre. In March 1794, Danton and his allies were arrested on several charges, including attempting to rescue King Louis XVI, conducting treasonous transactions with the Girondins, and secret friendships with foreigners. No witnesses were allowed to testify at the trial, and on April 5, 1794, Danton was sentenced to death. As he was led to the guillotine, he allegedly turned to the executioner and said, “Show my head to the people; it’s worth seeing,” Neely says.

Thermidorian Reaction

The Thermidorian Reaction on 27 July 1794 (Year 9 of Thermidor II in the revolutionary calendar) was a parliamentary revolt against Maximilien Robespierre, who had been the leader of the National Assembly since June 1794. As the paranoia of the Great Terror gripped France, everyone suspected treason. Addressing the National Assembly on 26 July 1794, Robespierre indicated that he was aware of a number of people who had committed treason but would not name them. This sent the committee members into a frenzy as they feared that one of them might be convicted and executed. To prevent this, the next day members of the National Assembly shouted at him and ordered his arrest. Robespierre, along with his supporters, barricaded himself in the Hotel de Ville (the center of Paris’ civil government), but was arrested on July 28, 1794. On the same day, he was executed along with 21 of his closest associates. Over the next few days, about 100 of Robespierre’s supporters were executed. Although the Reign of Terror was ending, the White Terror had just begun: the moderates now began to terrorize the Jacobins and other radicals.

End of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror ended on July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor, year II of the French Republican calendar). It ended with the overthrow and execution of Maximilien Robespierre, leader of the Committee of Public Safety. Many factors contributed to the end of the Reign of Terror. One factor was the growing public opposition to terror. The people of France were tired of violence and bloodshed. They were also concerned about the growing power of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety. Another factor was the growing opposition within the National Convention. Many members of the Convention feared Robespierre’s growing power and his willingness to use terror to achieve his goals. They also feared that Robespierre was planning to establish a dictatorship. On July 27, 1794, a group of members of the National Assembly staged a coup against Robespierre. They arrested Robespierre and his supporters and put them on trial. Robespierre and his supporters were found guilty and executed on the same day. The end of the Reign of Terror was a major turning point in the French Revolution. It marked the end of the most radical phase of the revolution and led to a more moderate government.

Contemporary Reign of Terror Context

Napoleon Bonaparte came to power in 1604 and set out to conquer neighboring countries. He saw himself as a modernizer of Europe as many laws were introduced such as: Protection of private property, Uniform system of weights and measures with decimal system. At first, the People saw him as a liberator who would work to uplift the people, but gradually Napoleon’s army was identified as invaders. He was defeated in 1815 at Waterloo. Some of the most important legacies of the French Revolution and Reign of Terror are the freedom, modern laws, and democratic rights that were taken from Napoleon to other parts of Europe. The colonies reworked the idea of ​​Bondage into a free sovereign nation. India also made such changes in the works of Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy.

Reign of Terror Facts French Revolution

The violent period of terror that began in 1793 and continued until the dawn of Robespierre in 1794 is called the Reign of Terror in France. When we look at the depth of the causes, a single person cannot be considered as the sole reason for the reign of terror. Yet several factors combined led to this brutal massacre called the Reign of Terror. It was one of the most violent periods of the French Revolution, which took place between May 5, 1789 and November 9, 1899. This can be evidenced by the figures which indicate that during the summer of 1793-94 it was estimated that only for being suspected of participation in counter-revolutionary activities.

Various Triggers of Terror

According to various triggers of terror, some of the most prominent are

(1) Execution of Louis XVI (January 1973)

(2) Creation of the Revolutionary Tribunal (March 1973)

(3) Expulsion of Girondist deputies from the National Convention Center (June 1973)

(4) The Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat (July 1973)

Victims of Terror

Some of the notable victims of this period were –

(1) Queen Marie Antoinette, Former Queen

(2) Jacques Brissot – Girondon orator

(3) Antoine Barnave – former Jacobin leader

(4) Jean-Sylvain Bailly – the first mayor of Paris

(5) Madame Roland – an important revolutionary woman

(6) Olympe de Gouges – Prominent revolutionary woman

(7) Charlotte Corday – Assassin of Jean-Paul Marat

(8) Philippe Egalite – former Duke of Orleans

(9) Guillaume Malesherbes – defender of the dead king

(10) Antoine Lavoisier – one of the most famous French scientists

(11) Jacques Hebert – radical leader sans culotte

(12) Camille Desmoulins – prominent journalist

(13) Georges Danton – populist political leader

Significance of the Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a major event in world history with far-reaching implications for politics, society and culture. Check out some of the key ways the Reign of Terror was significant:

(1) Loss of life

The Reign of Terror resulted in massive loss of life in France. It is estimated that about 17,000 people were murdered by the guillotine, including high-ranking people such as King Louis and his wife Antoinette, Robespierre, Danton and other high-ranking people.

(2) Destruction of property

In addition, there was destruction of property and infrastructure in France. This includes the Hotel Deville and the Bastille prison, which were destroyed by the mob. The revolutionaries attacked and destroyed several castles and residences, including property.

(3) Economic Decline

There was a general economic decline arising out of an unstable political atmosphere. Inflation, unemployment, famine and starvation reached their highest levels during the Reign of Terror. Many industries were also destroyed, affecting the French economy.

(4) Consolidation of revolutionary power

The Reign of Terror was a period of intense violence and repression, but it also helped to consolidate revolutionary power in France. This period of consolidation paved the way for the establishment of the First French Republic in 1792.

(5) Impact on European Politics

The Reign of Terror had a significant impact on European politics as it spread fear and insecurity among the ruling classes of Europe. In particular, the execution of King Louis XVI sent shockwaves across Europe as it represented a direct challenge to the legitimacy of monarchy as a form of government.

(6) The Emergence of Modern Totalitarianism

The Reign of Terror is often cited as an early example of modern totalitarianism because it involved the use of state power to suppress dissent and maintain control over the population.

(7) Legacy of Human Rights

The French Revolution and the Reign of Terror played a key role in the development of modern human rights. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, adopted in 1789, laid the foundation for the concept of universal human rights.

(8) Wars with other nations

The reign of terror brought war between France and other neighboring nations, countries like Britain and Russia formed a coalition in 1793 and invaded France. This was because they were frightened by the huge loss of life including the king and his wife Marie Antoinette. The revolutionaries also wanted to export the ideas of the French Revolution to neighboring nations, which were opposed by other states leading to wars.

(9) Rise of Napoleon to Power

The Reign of Terror contributed to the rise of Napoleon I to power in France. He was a young artillery officer who gained experience and became popular when he put down a royalist uprising at Port Toulon. In addition, the Reign of Terror led to the disappearance of important senior officers and politicians, opening the military and political space for Napoleon to rise to power in France by 1799.

(10) Exile of nobles and clergy

Fear of the guillotine and mob justice led to self-exile of several nobles and clergy. They ran away. They fled to neighboring states such as Austria, Prussia, from where they became emigrants. They regrouped and planned an attack on France. The emigrants organized themselves into combat units and asked these countries for help.

(11) Rise of the Directory Government

The social and economic destruction caused by the Reign of Terror paved the way for the rise of the Directory Government in France in 1795. It was introduced in 1795 to put an end to the destructive Reign of Terror in 1795. France and end the dictatorship in France.

(12) End of political parties

The Reign of Terror led to the downfall of political clubs and political pluralism in France. Before the Reign of Terror there were some political parties that were formed such as Jacobin under Robespierre, Cordlier under Danton and Girondin led by Murat. But the terrorist machine killed all the leaders of these political parties in France.

(13) Other kings became despotic

Outside of France, the Reign of Terror made conservative kings more conservative. the despotic kings of Austria, Russia, and Prussia became despotic to protect themselves from the terrorist actions of French men. Even pit, the British Prime Minister ruled out all suspicious characters and approved the act of treason.

(14) The spirit of republicanism

Finally, the reign of terror strengthened republicanism and the rise of republican government in France in 1792. The violence precipitated the collapse of the Bourbon monarchy, and the execution of King Louis XVI was the final event that ended the rule of the Bourbon monarch in France. The Reign of Terror made France a republican government until now.

The Reign of Terror can be remembered as the most violent phase of the French Revolution, when the streets were clogged with blood and thousands of lives were lost. What led to this terror and the carnage that followed is still debated, but the Revolutionary War and foreign invasion are still some of the most significant factors. It formally began in September 1793. During this time the Montagnards rose up and argued that a period of terror was needed to protect the revolution. It ended in July 1794 with the fall of Robespierre.

(FAQ) Questions and Answers about The Reign of Terror

Q-1. what was the reign of terror like during the french revolution.

Ans. The Reign of Te(1793–1794)1794) was a period of radical violence and political repression in France. She saw mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, led by the Committee of Public Safety.

Q-2. Who were the key figures during the Reign of Terror?

Ans. Maximilien Robespierre was a central figure, along with other members of the Committee of Public Safety, such as Georges Danton and Jean-Paul Marat.

Q-3. Why did the reign of terror happen?

Ans. It was a response to the perceived threat of the French Revolution, both internal and external. Revolutionary leaders sought to eliminate counter-revolutionaries and suppress dissent.

Q-4. What were some significant events during the Reign of Terror?

Ans. The execution of Louis XVI, the purge of the Girondins, and the strengthening of executions under Act 22 Prairie were pivotal events.

Q-5. When did the Reign of Terror end?

Ans. The Reign of Terror effectively ended with the fall of Robespierre and his allies in July 1794.

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Reign of Terror — The Justification of the Reign of Terror During the French Revolution

The Justification of The Reign of Terror During The French Revolution

• Categories: Reign of Terror

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Words: 792 |

Published: Nov 6, 2018

Words: 792 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

The essay analyzes the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, discussing its justification, unjustifiability, and partial justification from various perspectives. The Reign of Terror, characterized by its radical measures and mass executions, was a pivotal phase in the French Revolution, marked by the leadership of figures like Maximilien Robespierre and Jean-Paul Marat.

The essay suggests that the Reign of Terror can be justified under certain circumstances. After the execution of King Louis XVI, the National Assembly aimed to establish equality for all citizens and address France's financial problems. However, internal and external threats, such as rebellions and foreign powers, pushed the government to take extreme measures to maintain control, making the Reign of Terror appear justified.

Conversely, the essay argues that the Reign of Terror can also be deemed unjustified. Despite the Declaration of Rights of Man promising fair trials and innocent until proven guilty, many individuals were executed without due process, highlighting the corruption and unfairness of the government. The abolition of the monarchy, which most of France supported, and the influence of radical Jacobins contributed to the perception of an unjustified Reign of Terror.

Additionally, the essay suggests that the Reign of Terror can be mostly justified. Jean-Paul Marat's advocacy for the Reign of Terror gained support after his assassination, as it was believed that there were enemies everywhere. The public's endorsement of the Reign of Terror is evident in their reactions to executions. Moreover, Robespierre argued that the government should protect peaceful citizens and viewed internal and external enemies as one and the same.

Reign of Terror

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• Hamilton, E. (2013). Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. Grand Central Publishing.
• Hesiod. (n.d.). Theogony and Works and Days. (M. L. West, Trans.). Oxford University Press.
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The Reign of Terror: when Revolution Turned Blood Red

This engaging essay takes us on a vivid journey through one of history’s most tumultuous periods, the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. Set in the backdrop of 1790s France, the piece brings to life the chaotic and fear-laden atmosphere of the era, marked by the rise of the Jacobins and their leader, Maximilien Robespierre. The essay paints a vivid picture of the paranoia, suspicion, and extreme measures that characterized this period, where the guillotine became a symbol of both justice and terror. It delves into the complex character of Robespierre, acknowledging his progressive policies amidst the rampant executions. The narrative captures the tension and contradiction of the Reign of Terror, highlighting its role as a critical, albeit dark, phase in the fight for liberty, equality, and fraternity. The essay concludes by reflecting on the Reign of Terror as a profound lesson in the dangers of extremism and the moral dilemmas inherent in revolutionary change, posing questions about the true cost of freedom and justice that resonate through the ages. PapersOwl showcases more free essays that are examples of Revolution.

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Picture this: France in the 1790s, a place where the air crackles with the promise of change and the shadow of the guillotine looms large. This is the setting of the Reign of Terror, a period in the French Revolution where things went from hopeful to horrifying faster than you can say “liberté, égalité, fraternité.”

The story of the Reign of Terror is like a rollercoaster that only goes down. It all kicked off after the French Revolution had already flipped the country upside down.

The monarchy? Gone. But what filled the void wasn’t peace and freedom; it was chaos and fear. Enter the Jacobins, led by the infamous Maximilien Robespierre, a group of radicals who believed that protecting the revolution justified some pretty extreme measures. And by extreme, I mean sending thousands to the guillotine, including Queen Marie Antoinette herself.

This period was marked by paranoia and suspicion on steroids. People were accused of being enemies of the state for just about anything, and the Revolutionary Tribunal was more like a conveyor belt to the guillotine than a court of justice. It was a time when saying the wrong thing, or nothing at all, could have you seeing the business end of Madame Guillotine.

But let’s not paint Robespierre as just a villain in a horror show. The guy believed he was doing what was needed for the revolution’s survival. Under his watch, there were some pretty progressive moves like price controls to keep bread affordable and abolishing slavery in the colonies. It’s just that these changes were overshadowed by the daily head count from the guillotine.

The Reign of Terror finally hit the brakes when Robespierre himself got a taste of his own medicine. His execution in July 1794 was like a wake-up call, ending the bloodbath and paving the way for a less terrifying phase of the revolution.

Reflecting on the Reign of Terror is like staring into a dark abyss of human nature. It’s a chilling reminder of how a quest for freedom can spiral into a freefall of violence. It makes you wonder about the price of change and what happens when the power to bring about that change gets a little too absolute.

In the end, the Reign of Terror stands as a bloody chapter in the tale of the French Revolution, a complex saga of power, ideology, and the human cost of radical change. It’s a part of history that asks us hard questions about justice, freedom, and how far we’re willing to go for our ideals. And let’s be honest, these questions are as relevant now as they were back in the tumultuous streets of 1790s France.

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Guest Essay

Where Is America’s ‘Rules-Based Order’ Now?

By Spencer Ackerman

Mr. Ackerman is a foreign-policy columnist for The Nation and the author of “Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump.”

No sooner had a nearly unanimous United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding an “immediate cease-fire” in Gaza last month than the United States and Israel acted as if it were a meaningless piece of paper. Israel, unwilling to accept a U.N. mandate, continued bombing the overcrowded southern city of Rafah and besieging Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Shortly after the vote, Biden administration officials called the resolution, No. 2728, “nonbinding,” in what appeared to be an attempt to deny its status as international law.

It was a confounding approach from an administration that allowed the resolution to go through with an abstention after vetoing three earlier ones. It also triggered a predictable bout of hand-wringing over the value of international law. At the State Department press briefing after the resolution passed, the department’s spokesman, Matthew Miller, said the measure would neither result in an immediate cease-fire nor affect thorny hostage-release negotiations. One reporter asked , “If that’s the case, what the hell is the point of the U.N. or the U.N. Security Council?”

The question is valid, but it’s also misdirected. U.N. resolutions that are written without enforcement measures obviously cannot force Israel to stop what its leadership insists is a justified war necessary to remove Hamas and prevent another Oct. 7 massacre. But it’s just as obvious what entity can make Israel stop and isn’t doing so: the United States.

Whatever the Biden administration might have thought it was doing by permitting the resolution to pass and then undermining it, the maneuver exposed the continuing damage Israel’s war in Gaza is doing to the United States’ longstanding justification for being a superpower: guaranteeing what U.S. administrations like to call the international rules-based order.

The concept operates as an asterisk placed on international law by the dominant global superpower. It makes the United States one of the reasons international law remains weak, since a rules-based order that exempts the United States and its allies fundamentally undermines the concept of international law.

American policymakers tend to invoke the concept to demonstrate the benefits of U.S. global leadership. It sounds, on the surface, a lot like international law: a stable global order, involving the panoply of international aid and financial institutions, in which the rules of acceptable behavior reflect liberal values. And when U.S. prerogatives coincide with international law, the United States describes the two synonymously. On the eve of Russia’s illegal 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned of a “moment of peril” for “the foundation of the United Nations Charter and the rules-based international order that preserves stability worldwide.”

But when U.S. prerogatives diverge from international law, America apparently has no problem violating it — all while declaring its violations to ultimately benefit global stability. The indelible example is the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, which the George W. Bush administration cynically justified as a means of enforcing U.N. disarmament mandates. Iraq, the supposed violator, endured military occupation, while Washington’s unmatched military and economic power ensured that America faced little consequence for an invasion without U.N. authorization. Shortly before invading, the United States passed a law vowing to use “ all means ” necessary to release Americans detained by the International Criminal Court.

A cohort of American academics and once and future U.S. officials at Princeton later advocated what they called in a 2006 paper “ a world of liberty under law .” They framed it as addressing the weaknesses of international law, suggesting that when international institutions didn’t produce the outcomes favored by the “world of liberty,” there be an “alternative forum for liberal democracies to authorize collective action.” In practice, that forum has often been the White House. During the 2011 Libyan uprising, the United States and its allies used Security Council authorization of a no-fly zone to help overthrow Muammar Qaddafi — whose regime killed far fewer opponents than Israel has killed in Gaza since Oct. 7. American troops have now operated in eastern Syria for more than eight years, long enough for everyone to forget that there is no basis in international law for their presence.

That American-exceptionalist asterisk has been on display after each U.S. veto of cease-fire resolutions at the U.N. With Gaza’s enormous death toll and imminent famine , people can be forgiven for wondering about the point of the United States’ rules-based international order.

International law is unambiguously against what Israel is doing in Gaza. Two months before resolution No. 2728, the International Court of Justice ruled that the continuing Israeli campaign could plausibly be considered genocidal and ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide from unfolding. Ahead of 2728’s passage, the Canadian Parliament approved a motion, however porous , to stop new arms transfers to Israel. And the day the Security Council approved the resolution, the U.N.’s special rapporteur for the occupied territories, Francesca Albanese, recommended that member states should “immediately” embargo weapon shipments to Israel, since Israel “appears to have failed to comply with the binding measures ordered” by the international court.

But after 2728 passed, the White House national security spokesman, John Kirby, clarified that U.S. weapon sales and transfers to Israel would be unaffected. To the astonishment of some Senate Democrats , the State Department averred that Israel was not violating a Biden administration policy that recipients of American weaponry comply with international law. Last week, the White House reiterated that it had not seen “any incidents where the Israelis have violated international humanitarian law” after the Israel Defense Forces repeatedly bombed a convoy of aid workers from the World Central Kitchen who had informed the Israelis of their movements, killing seven.

The reality is that Washington is now arming a combatant that the United Nations Security Council has ordered to stop fighting, an uncomfortable position that helps explain why the United States insists 2728 isn’t binding.

And that reality isn’t lost on the rest of the world. The slaughter in Gaza has disinclined some foreign officials and groups to listen to U.S. officials about other issues. Annelle Sheline, a State Department human-rights officer who recently resigned over Gaza , told The Washington Post that some activist groups in North Africa simply stopped meeting with her and her colleagues. “Trying to advocate for human rights just became impossible” while the United States aids Israel, she said.

It’s a dynamic that sounds awfully reminiscent of what happened outside Europe when U.S. diplomats fanned out globally to rally support for Ukraine two years ago. They encountered “a very clear negative reaction to the American propensity for defining the global order and forcing countries to take sides,” as Fiona Hill, a Brookings Institution scholar, observed in a speech last year.

If the United States was frustrated by that negative reaction, imagine the reaction, post-Gaza, that awaits Washington the next time it seeks global support for the target of an adversary. The dead-on-arrival passage of resolution 2728 may very well be remembered as an inflection point in the decline of the rules-based international order — which is to say the world that the United States seeks to build and maintain.

Rising powers will be happy to cite U.S. precedent as they assert their own exceptions to international law. For as Gaza shows in a horrific manner, a world with exceptions to international law is one in which the least powerful suffer the most.

Spencer Ackerman is a foreign-policy columnist for The Nation and the author of “Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump.”

The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. We’d like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips . And here’s our email: [email protected] .

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