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Revolutions #55 · February 1, 2015 · 32m
3.40 - The Reign of Terror
Revolutions
Robespierre's Committee of Public Safety and the systematic use of state terror. Duncan examines how the revolution's highest ideals — liberty, equality, fraternity — were used to justify mass execution.
This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.
Highlights
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The language of virtue can be weaponized — 'the Republic of Virtue' executed 17,000 people
Robespierre justified the Terror as necessary for creating a 'Republic of Virtue.' The most idealistic language produced the most violent outcomes because any deviation from 'virtue' was treasonous.•
Institutions of violence, once created, find new targets to justify their existence
The Revolutionary Tribunal was created to try enemies of the Revolution. When it ran out of royalists, it tried moderates. When moderates were gone, it tried radicals. The institution needed victims.Was this useful?