Dbq: Was the Reign of Terror Justifyied?

DBQ:

Was the reign of terror justified?

The reign of terror was a terrifying time for all. During the reign of terror Robespierre executed 40,000 people. He believed that people who went against the revolution should be executed. In the beginning Robespierre followed this guideline but then things began getting out of hand. He began to execute anyone who complained about almost anything. The Reign of terror was not justified because it was not ideal for the constitution, execution was not acceptable and innocent people were executed.

One reason why the Reign of Terror was not justified because it was not ideal for the constitution. In document A, the articles from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens, 2, 7 and 10. The 2nd article states that people are entitled to the rights of man which are “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.”. The 7th article states that “No person shall be accused, arrested, or imprisoned, except in the cases [allowed] by law.”. The last article, article 10 states “No one should be silenced on account of his opinions, including his religious views.”. Robespierre went against all three of these. For example, many people were executed for their religious views where it clearly states in article 10 no one should be licensed for their religious views. Also article 2 states that men are entitled to their security, but in the Reign the Terror people’s security was not thought of at all. The last article, article 7 talks about that no one shall be accused and arrested unless permitted by law. Most of the executions were not permitted by

law directly.

Another reason why the Reign of Terror was not justified because the way of execution was not acceptable. Using the guillotine was considered an inhumanly way to execute someone.