The French Revolution DBQ

The French Revolution presented a time where France was in disarray, and was forced to make tough and difficult choices in a time of war. French citizens were not all whole heartily with their country, and did not go along with all of its demands and ideas. Then France entered a time known as the terror, wherein they executed all those who did not agree with their ideas, or they believed were against their nation. Even though this Terror did result in many innocent French citizens being executed, it was a choice that France had to make in a tough situation.

At this time, France was in many of troubles, including an economical collapse, a full fledged revolution, questionable leadership, famine, and much more. The French leaders needed to unite this nation that was beginning to take sides in a all out civil war. If the people did rebel, they believed they would lose their beloved France, and needed to send a message to those against them. These executions were not only used to thin out those against the French, but also to instill fear into those who have not yet been captured or killed (Doc. 5). They wanted to make the people see what would happen to those who went against them, setting an example (Doc. 8). However, this did not always work, as when one person is killed, those close to him may actually become inspired now to go rise up also, in a way redeeming those who have died (Doc. 6).

These executions that were performed had a high number of similar classes that were killed, but all were still involved. In Paris, the largest number of those deaths were the nobles and the upper class, being so that their was much more wealth in Paris. However, outside of Paris, a large majority of those killed were working class and peasants, showing how those who were typically unimportant in French life were now making a stand, and demanding their rights, instead of their previous low place in society. These people were also heavily effected by the economy, because when it was diminishing, taxes were not put onto the wealthy, but exempt, and left upon the laps of the poor to pay. A large number of those who were tried, were all tried of similar crimes, hostile acts against the state (Doc. 3). This was the French way of classifying those they killed who opposed their regime's way of doing things. And when these killing occurred, they occurred in large numbers in similar areas (Doc. 1).

Now as those involved in the executions may have seen this necessary, to others it seems to be barbaric. People were going around killing their own countrymen, simply because they differed in opinion. Some viewed those who were executed as patriots, and some viewed them as traitors, but it all depends on the aspect and knowledge of what was happening at the time. The French citizens believed it was necessary for them to stand up against what was happening, even dieing for it, but the French government was forced to make a tough decision, that ultimately decided what would happen to France and define its reign into the future.