Final answer:
The bloody phase of the French Revolution characterized by mass executions is known as The Reign of Terror. It lasted from 1793 to 1794, led to the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, and involved the widespread use of the guillotine against the state's enemies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bloody phase of the French Revolution where thousands of people were executed is known as The Reign of Terror (A). During the Reign of Terror, from 1793 to 1794, the revolutionary government, led by Maximilien Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety, implemented radical and repressive measures against those perceived as enemies of the state. King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were among the most notable figures executed by guillotine, symbolizing the violence of this period. This phase saw widespread use of the guillotine in public executions meant to eliminate counterrevolutionaries and consolidate revolutionary authority.
The Reign of Terror began following the execution of King Louis XVI, igniting debates about the nature of liberty and revolution. Some viewed the executions, which numbered around 50,000, as necessary to purge France of the old monarchical system and promote the revolutionary cause. However, the extreme violence also led to the downfall of Robespierre and the Jacobins, paving the way for the rise of a conservative government and eventually the era of Napoleon Bonaparte.