Committee of Public Safety
The Committee of Public Safety, established on April 6, 1793, was a pivotal organ of the French Revolution, tasked with safeguarding the Republic against internal and external threats. It emerged during a time of crisis, with France embroiled in war against European monarchies and grappling with internal counter-revolutionary uprisings like the Vendée revolt. Initially created to supplement the Committee of General Defence, its primary objective was to centralize authority and provide a cohesive strategy to address the Republic’s challenges.
Initially composed of nine members, the Committee was envisioned as a temporary measure but rapidly expanded its influence due to the escalating crises. Its responsibilities spanned oversight of the judiciary, legislature, military, and the executive, granting it immense power to shape the Revolutionary Government’s policies.
English Letter dated 29 June 1793, published by the National Convention during the French Revolution, alleging English spying and conspiracy.
Social Climate and Revolutionary Context
The French Revolution was marked by profound societal transformation, underpinned by ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The Constitution of 1793 encapsulated these principles, advocating for personal freedoms, resistance to oppression, and universal male suffrage. However, the revolutionary fervor also gave rise to radical movements, such as the sans-culottes, which pushed for militant measures to safeguard revolutionary gains.
The Reign of Terror arose from internal civil unrest, fear of foreign invasion, and pressure from radical factions like the sans-culottes, leading the government to use violence to suppress perceived enemies.
This volatile atmosphere necessitated strong leadership. The Committee of Public Safety became the central authority to steer the nation through its existential threats, including foreign invasions and internal dissent. The need for swift, decisive action justified its broad powers, setting the stage for its dominance during the Reign of Terror.
Key Figures and Initial Leadership
The Committee’s early phase was shaped by figures like Georges Danton, who emphasized pragmatic governance and the need for centralized authority. Under Danton’s guidance, the Committee navigated critical events, including the expulsion of the Girondins, a moderate faction within the National Convention.
By July 1793, the Committee underwent reorganization, reflecting the growing influence of radical Montagnards. Maximilien Robespierre joined the Committee, marking a shift toward more radical policies. Robespierre’s vision of revolutionary justice and virtue heavily influenced the Committee’s trajectory, intertwining the Republic’s survival with the ideals of the Enlightenment and the revolutionary ethos.
Policies and Actions During the Reign of Terror
The Committee’s authority peaked during the Reign of Terror (1793–1794), a period characterized by heightened political violence and mass executions. Several landmark policies defined this era:
- Levée en Masse (August 1793): A mass conscription policy that mobilized the French populace for total war against foreign invaders, demonstrating the Committee’s capacity to galvanize national resources.
- Law of Suspects (September 1793): This decree expanded the definition of “enemies of the Revolution,” leading to widespread arrests and trials.
- Law of the General Maximum (September 1793): An economic measure to control prices and curb inflation, reflecting the Committee’s attempt to address popular grievances.
The Committee’s consolidation of power was further codified by the Law of 14 Frimaire (December 1793), which centralized authority and curtailed local autonomy. This legislation marked a decisive step toward establishing a Revolutionary Government with the Committee at its helm.
Internal Conflicts and the Fall of Factions
The elimination of rival factions, such as the Hébertists and Dantonists, highlighted the Committee’s ruthless approach to consolidating power. The Hébertists’ radicalism and the Dantonists’ calls for moderation were perceived as threats to the Republic’s stability. Their leaders, including Jacques Hébert and Georges Danton, were executed in early 1794, leaving the Committee unchallenged but increasingly isolated.
This period also saw the creation of the General Police Bureau, which reported to the Committee and expanded its surveillance capabilities. However, internal dissent grew as members of the Committee and the broader revolutionary government clashed over policy and ideology.
Robespierre’s Leadership and Decline
Robespierre’s prominence within the Committee was marked by his advocacy for the Cult of the Supreme Being, a theistic alternative to traditional religion. While this initiative aimed to instill moral virtue, it alienated key allies and intensified accusations of autocracy.
Robespierre’s increasing absences from the Committee’s meetings and his growing isolation exacerbated tensions.
The Law of 22 Prairial (June 1794), which streamlined the judicial process and increased executions, further eroded support for Robespierre. This law symbolized the height of the Terror, as mass executions in Paris overshadowed any semblance of justice.
Robespierre’s increasing absences from the Committee’s meetings and his growing isolation exacerbated tensions. By mid-1794, members of the Convention and rival committees perceived him as a tyrant, culminating in his arrest on 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794).
The Thermidorian Reaction and the Committee’s Demise
Robespierre’s execution on 10 Thermidor (July 28, 1794) marked the end of the Reign of Terror and the beginning of the Thermidorian Reaction. The revolutionary government shifted toward moderation, repealing many of the policies associated with the Terror.
The Committee of Public Safety’s influence waned as power was redistributed among various governing bodies. The Constitution of the Year III (1795) formally dissolved the Committee alongside the National Convention, ushering in the Directory.
Timeline of the Reign of Terror
1789–1792: Revolutionary fervor grows, with events like the fall of the Bastille and the September Massacres (1792), where revolutionary mobs killed prisoners accused of treason. Debate begins over when the Terror officially starts.
March 1793: Establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal to prosecute enemies of the Revolution. The Vendée uprising marks the beginning of internal civil conflict.
April 1793: Formation of the Committee of Public Safety, which assumes executive power during the Revolution.
June 1793: Arrest of Girondin leaders following pressure from radical sans-culottes. The Montagnards consolidate power.
September 1793: The Convention, under radical influence, declares “Terror is the order of the day.” Laws like the Law of Suspects enable widespread arrests and executions.
1794 – Early Year: Execution of radical Hébertists and moderate Dantonists to eliminate opposition within revolutionary factions.
June 1794: The Great Terror begins, increasing executions dramatically under the Law of 22 Prairial. The French army wins the Battle of Fleurus.
July 27, 1794: Robespierre and allies are arrested and executed during the Thermidorian Reaction, marking the end of the Reign of Terror.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did the Committee of Public Safety play?
The Committee acted as the de facto government, centralizing power to oversee trials and executions, including passing laws like the Law of Suspects that allowed vague accusations of treason.
How was terror justified by leaders like Robespierre?
Robespierre claimed terror was a form of “virtue” necessary to protect the Republic and enforce revolutionary justice, blending Enlightenment ideals with ruthless action.
What were the major events and policies of the Terror?
Key actions included the establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal, mass conscriptions, de-Christianization campaigns, and economic controls like price fixing under the Law of the General Maximum.
What role did Enlightenment thought play in the Terror?
Ideas from Rousseau and Montesquieu about democracy and the “general will” influenced leaders to view terror as a tool to achieve equality and eliminate enemies of the Republic.
How did the Terror end?
It concluded with the Thermidorian Reaction, a coup that overthrew Robespierre and his allies, leading to their execution and a subsequent relaxation of radical policies.
What was the impact of the Reign of Terror?
The Terror executed over 16,000 people officially and caused widespread fear, but it also strengthened the revolutionary government and military, securing key victories like the Battle of Fleurus.
