was the reign of terror necessary?
what can we learn from it?
pleasse help!!
http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1287365680
i just need someone to directly answer my question. seriously. this is due soon
How much more direct do you want?
history - Ms. Sue, Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 9:59pm
I can see both points of view. The Reign of Terror might be considered necessary to purge France of the enemies of the people. If they were allowed to live, they could regain power. On the other hand, such indescriminate and brutal violence was unnecessary and killed many innocent people. The enemies of the people could have been exiled or imprisoned.
Lessons? Is such violence ever necessary? Many revolutions have been fought and won without reigns of terror.
no
one might be force to say it was necessary since it guillotined a lot of people in france,the king and his wife,Marie Antonette were also guillotined .so it might be b necessary.
The Reign of Terror, which took place during the French Revolution from 1793 to 1794, was a period of extreme violence and mass executions. Whether it was necessary or not is a topic of debate among historians and scholars.
To determine if the Reign of Terror was necessary, it is important to understand the circumstances that led to it. The French Revolution was driven by various factors such as political, social, and economic grievances. It was a time when the monarchy was overthrown, and radical groups like the Jacobins came to power.
The Reign of Terror was marked by the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, which aimed to suppress counter-revolutionary forces and protect the revolution from external threats. They implemented harsh measures, including mass executions through the use of the guillotine, to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution.
One argument is that the Reign of Terror was necessary to maintain the revolution's momentum and ensure its survival. The revolution faced both internal and external threats, with external powers attempting to suppress it, while internal factions sought to undermine the radical government. The Reign of Terror, therefore, can be seen as a response to these threats, aiming to consolidate power and maintain stability.
However, others argue that the Reign of Terror went beyond what was necessary and pursued a path of excessive violence. It is estimated that tens of thousands of people were executed during this period, many of whom may not have posed significant threats to the revolution.
From the Reign of Terror, we can learn several key lessons:
1. The dangers of radical ideologies: The extreme measures taken during the Reign of Terror serve as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of radical ideologies and the dangers of unchecked power.
2. The importance of balance and moderation: The excessive violence during the Reign of Terror underscores the need for balance and moderation in times of revolution or political upheaval, as an overreaction can lead to unintended consequences.
3. The role of political institutions and rule of law: The absence of robust political institutions and the rule of law during the French Revolution allowed for such a brutal period to emerge. The importance of establishing and upholding strong political systems is highlighted by this dark chapter in history.
4. The impact of violence on society: The Reign of Terror left a lasting impact on French society, generating fear and division. It serves as a reminder of the destructive consequences that widespread violence can have on the fabric of society.
In summary, whether the Reign of Terror was necessary or not is a complex and subjective question. However, it provides valuable lessons about the dangers of radical ideologies, the importance of balance and moderation, the role of political institutions, and the impact of violence on society.