Question

"Robespierre's rule in France was known as the Reign of Terror." Justify the statement.

Answer 1

This statement justifies:
(i) The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the 'Reign of Terror'. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment.
(ii) All those whom he saw as being 'enemies' of the republic-ex-nobles and clergy, members of other political parties, even members of his own party who did not agree with his methods were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal.
(iii) If the court found them 'guilty' they were guillotined.
(iv) Robespierre's government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government.
(v) Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into barracks or offices.