Final answer:
The Reign of Terror was a violent period of the French Revolution led by Robespierre, marked by mass executions to protect the revolution, and ended with Robespierre's own death.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution from 1793 to 1794 characterized by extreme violence and the mass execution of perceived enemies of the revolutionary government. Under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety took repressive measures to silence dissent and protect republican ideals.
The Law of 22 Prairial, among other policies, facilitated swift trials and executions by guillotine, resulting in the death of approximately 50,000 people, including prominent figures like Marie Antoinette and Georges Danton. The Terror came to an abrupt end with the execution of Robespierre himself in July 1794, which led to the establishment of the Directory and eventually paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power.