What evidence is there that people's "natural rights" were denied during the Reign of Terror?
During the Reign of Terror, which was a period of brutal political repression in France from 1793 to 1794, numerous violations of human rights were perpetrated, which included the denial of people's "natural rights." Here are some key pieces of evidence that demonstrate such denials:
1. Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions: Thousands of people, including political opponents, suspected counter-revolutionaries, and even ordinary citizens were arrested without due process, often solely based on suspicion or anonymous denunciations. This violated their fundamental right to a fair trial and protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.
2. Abolition of Freedom of Speech and Press: The Committee of Public Safety, which wielded immense power during the Reign of Terror, severely curtailed freedom of speech and press. Newspapers critical of the Revolutionary government were suppressed, and journalists were often arrested, leading to a stifling of public debate and expression.
3. Restrictions on Political Associations: The Committee of Public Safety also banned political clubs and associations, including the Jacobins and Cordeliers, which were at the forefront of the French Revolution. This curtailment of political association denied individuals the right to freely assemble, express their ideas, and actively participate in political life.
4. The Law of Suspects: In September 1793, the Law of Suspects was enacted, which broadened the definition of who could be considered an enemy of the Revolution. This law led to the arrest and execution of thousands of people based on vague and arbitrary criteria, such as having "ill intentions" or being an "enemy of freedom."
5. Mass Executions: The Reign of Terror is infamous for its large-scale executions, carried out through the use of the guillotine. Thousands of individuals, including nobles, clergy, Girondins, and even fellow revolutionaries like Georges Danton and Maximilien Robespierre, were executed without due process or a fair trial. This denial of life itself, the most fundamental natural right, is a glaring example of the excessive violence and disregard for human life during this period.
6. Suppression of Religious Freedom: The Revolutionary government sought to secularize society by banning religious practices, closing churches, and replacing Catholicism with a new state-created religion, the Cult of the Supreme Being. This suppression of religious freedom directly denied individuals their natural right to freely practice their religion or belief.
In conclusion, the Reign of Terror was marked by numerous violations of people's natural rights, including the denial of the right to a fair trial, freedom of speech and press, political association, life, and religious freedom. These violations were perpetrated through arbitrary arrests and detentions, mass executions, suppression of political opponents, and the curtailing of basic civil liberties.