Criticism of the Reign of Terror
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Criticism of the Reign of Terror
The ÐReign of Terror was the name given to the actions of the ÐCommittee of Public Safety from the years between 1791-1794. Their actions can be justified, but can hold just as much criticism along with it. In my opinion, there could have been better ways to move the revolution along and the ÐReign of Terror should have never happened.
After the French Revolution, Edmund Burke from Great Britain became one of the most famous critics of the Revolution. Burke made a speech in which he laments the death of the queen of France, Marie Antoinette, and the passing of an era. He noted that the French Revolution proved that the age of chivalry is forever passed. This points out one of the criticisms of the ÐCommittee of Public Safety; they do not show the courtesy of rank and sex in the executions of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.#
Burke refers to when he met Marie Antoinette saying she was full of life, splendor, and joy. How could anyone execute her without any emotion? It was very surprising that something like that could happen in a nation of gallant men.#
Though Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette had become corrupt with power, it was inexcusable to execute them. They were losing favor with the people of France, but they were the king and queen; they should have at least been shown some respect and have their lives spared by the committee.
This is also referred to by Burke in the article titled “Reflections on the Revolution in France, 1791.” Kings, according to Burke, are considered the servants of the people, but, in reality, the king obeys no one. Everyone owes him complete allegiance and should not be insulted in any way. If a king becomes too powerful, and attempts to decrease that power can rarely be performed without force and then It becomes a war.# This was the reason the French Revolution happened, just as the Revolution of 1688 in Britain happened. Though the revolution could not be avoided, the Kings and Queens lives should have been spared.
Edmund Burk brought that to the forefront in the article. In the Revolution of 1688, the king of England was gaining too much power and, thus, had to be dethroned. Burke brings of the question of what does it take for the people to lose loyalty to the king? The idea of actually dethroning a king is an amazing question of state and is completely unlawful.# The king is supposed to be the symbol of the state and the ÐCommittee of Public Safety in France removed Louis XVI without much problem.
The Magna Carta is mentioned by Burke. This should have been the way, in a sense, that France should have taken their revolution. It is a policy in Britains constitution that claims and asserts the liberties the people deserve. This document preserved the unity in the great country of Britain. They have an inheritable crown, an inheritable peerage, and a House of Commons and the people inheriting privileges, francises, and liberties they have had for a long time.#
Since I spent some time talking about Edmund Burkes criticism of the French Revolution, some knowledge from inside the ÐCommittee of Public Safety should be acquired. This period known as the ÐReign of Terror can also be referred to as a period of effective government. Many of the changes brought upon by the Committee would later help Napoleon dominate Europe for a decade#.
Maximilien Robepierre was one of the leaders of the Committee. He was interested in religion and even promoted a state cult. This could be considered a case of Deism being made a state religion. In “The Cult of the Supreme Being,” Robespierre states that God did not create kings to devour us, he did not create priests to connect us to the kings. He goes on to say that God created men to help each other, to love each other, and to attain happiness. He goes on in the article, saying that the people of France needs to triumph over their enemies. They need to practice justice and give God the worship worthy of him.#
This article has some good points in it about abuse of power, both by the king and by the clergy. God did not create anyone to oppress the people of this world. Anyone doing that should be taught a lesson and removed from power, which is exactly what the ÐCommittee of Public