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| 1793–94 |
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| THE REIGN OF TERROR. Robespierre gradually came to dominate the whole government. He was never a “dictator” in the modern sense; his power was checked by his colleagues in the Committee of Public Safety, by the opposing Hébertist faction in the Commune and the Convention, and by the commissioners of the Convention sent into the provinces (représentants en mission). These commissioners, sent out to suppress counterrevolutionary movements, were often responsible for extreme terrorism in their districts. They collaborated with the local Jacobin clubs and revolutionary committees. Horrors were perpetrated by Tallien at Bordeaux, Lebon at Arras, Carrier at Nantes, and Couthon, Fouché, and Collot d'Herbois at Lyons. Some commissioners, however, were fairly clement and spared their regions (e.g., the younger Robespierre in the east and south, Lakanal in the southwest). | 1 |
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| 1793 |
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| WAR IN THE VENDÉE. Uprising of the peasantry in the west of France. Discontent among the peasantry over the Revolution had been widespread, aggravated by the execution of Louis XVI and the sale of church and émigré lands to the middle class. The Vendée was sparked by the attempt to levy troops because the levy unfairly targeted peasants. The Vendéans succeeded in capturing several towns. They finally suffered a major defeat on Aug. 13 at the Battle of Luçon but continued to fight, suffering defeat at Cholet (Oct. 20) and Le Mans (Dec. 12). Warfare in the Vendée would continue until finally stopped by Gen. Hoche in March 1796. | 2 |
| At the same time, federalist revolts occurred in many departments, protesting the centralization of power. Lyons moderates overthrew the municipal government, and federalists then executed the Jacobin ex-mayer Chalier (July 17). Kellerman laid siege to Lyons (Aug. 9), which fell on Oct. 9. Meanwhile, Toulon turned its port over to the British (Aug. 29), and the French lost their Mediterranean fleet. | 3 |
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| Feb. 1 |
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| War declared against Great Britain, Holland, and Spain. Sardinia had been at war with France since July 1792, but now Britain, Holland, Spain, and the empire all joined an alliance against France. Belgium was annexed. The émigrés proclaimed Louis XVI's son (a prisoner in the Temple) King Louis XVII. | 4 |
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| Feb |
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| Economic problems plagued the Revolution. Sections of Paris demonstrated against price increases (Feb. 3). Consumers protested prices of goods in Paris (Feb. 24–27). Disturbances over prices continued throughout March and April. | 5 |
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| March 1 |
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| Trade with Britain was forbidden, which pushed foreign trade into a slump throughout the Convention. | 6 |
| Poor relief was a problem because of the disbanding of religious orders responsible for collecting and administering such relief, and shortages due to war and revolution. The Convention passed two laws of public assistance (March 19 and June 28, 1793). The first established the basis of a system that provided work for the able-bodied and home relief whenever possible for other needy individuals. The second gave state aid to children, the aged, and unmarried mothers (for the first time in French history). Abandoned children were received in state hospitals until age 12, when they were apprenticed out. | 7 |
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| March 29 |
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| Freedom of the press restricted. | 8 |
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| May 4 |
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| Grain price maximum established. | 9 |
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| June 24 |
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| Constitution of 1793, including universal male suffrage, voted on by the Convention. It was sent to the primary assemblies for ratification but never put in effect. | 10 |
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| July 23 |
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| Mainz recovered by the Prussians after a three-month siege. The allies also took Condé and Valenciennes. Custine executed by the French for negligence. British siege of Toulon. The troops of the Republic were driven back on almost all fronts. As a result, revolts multiplied in the interior, frequently inspired by Girondists who had escaped the purge and fled Paris. Energetic countermeasures were taken by the Committee of Public Safety. | 11 |
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| July |
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| Department administrations were authorized to forcibly purchase grain. | 12 |
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| Aug. 9 |
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| Death penalty was enacted for hoarders of grain. | 13 |
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| Aug. 19 |
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| Public granaries were established and departments authorized to set prices for firewood and coal. | 14 |
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