The French Revolution: The Reign of Terror

05/05/14 • 15 min

A Level and IB History Revision Guides: Mr Allsop History

An A Level and IB History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode explores the situation in France following the execution of Louis XVI in 1793, and why the Convention introduced the Terror. The podcast considers both external and internal pressures within France at the time, and goes on to explore how and why the Convention chose to respond in such an extreme way to the situation. The role of Maximilien Robespierre is considered in particular, along with an exploration of the reasons for his downfall.

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The French Revolution: Radicalisation of the Revolution

An IB and A Level History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode follows events from the first meeting of the Legislative Assembly in October 1791 to the execution of the King in January 1793. Growing tension between the revolutionaries and the King are explored through Louis's decision to continue vetoing laws, the issuing of the Brunswick manifesto, and the King's imprisonment in the Temple. As well as struggling to fight a war against Austria and Prussia, the revolutionary government was faced with internal struggles. The divisions between the deputies in the newly-elected National Convention are discussed against the backdrop of the September Massacres of 1792. The episode ends with an overview of the trial of Louis and his eventual execution by guillotine on January 21st 1793.

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The French Revolution: The Directory

An A Level and IB History revision podcast for students studying the French Revolution. This episode charts the rise and fall of the Directory from 1794 to 1799. Beginning with the execution of Robespierre, the Thermidorean Reaction and the onset of the White Terror, it goes on to explore the terms of the Constitution of Year III. The challenges to the Directory are described, and the government's various failures and successes are explained. The episode finishes with Napoleon and the Coup of Brumaire.