Final answer:
The Reign of Terror during the French Revolution was marked by extreme violence and the execution of an estimated 50,000 people under the dictatorship-like rule of Maximilien Robespierre to repress dissent and maintain revolutionary ideals.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reign of Terror
The Reign of Terror is known as the event in the French Revolution where the revolutionary government adopted repressive measures to prevent dissent, leading to extreme violence and the execution of numerous enemies. Under the leadership of Maximilien Robespierre, the Committee of Public Safety invoked the Reign of Terror as a means to maintain republican ideas and peace. The period saw the enactment of the Law of 22 Prairial, which expanded the powers of tribunals to handle the influx of prisoners, and led to the installation of guillotines in public areas as a symbol of this era. In total, approximately 50,000 Frenchmen were executed during this time, including prominent figures such as Georges Danton and Marie Antoinette.
The Reign of Terror began with the execution of King Louis XVI, and it called into question the liberty and equality that the French Revolution sought to establish. This violent phase in French history ended with the execution of Robespierre in July 1794, which led to a rejection of the Jacobin party and eventual installation of the more conservative government, the Directory. However, the Directory was unable to manage a smooth transition from the old regime to a new style of republican government, ultimately paving the way for Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power.