Committee for Public Safety

Definition

The Committee for Public Safety was a political body established during the French Revolution, primarily in 1793, to protect the newly formed Republic from foreign and internal threats. It played a crucial role in the Reign of Terror, overseeing the revolutionary government's response to perceived enemies and facilitating the execution of those deemed counter-revolutionary. This committee embodied the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality while also enforcing harsh measures to maintain order and protect the revolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Committee for Public Safety was created on April 6, 1793, and initially consisted of twelve members tasked with protecting the revolution from its enemies.
2. Under Robespierre's influence, the committee became synonymous with the Reign of Terror, which led to thousands being executed by guillotine.
3. The committee wielded significant power over the French government, essentially becoming the de facto ruling body during its most turbulent years.
4. It implemented policies such as conscription to bolster the military, economic controls to address food shortages, and laws that severely punished dissent.
5. The fall of Robespierre in July 1794 led to the dissolution of the Committee for Public Safety, marking a shift away from radical policies and an end to the Reign of Terror.

Review Questions

• How did the Committee for Public Safety respond to threats during its establishment, and what measures did it take to maintain control?
  • The Committee for Public Safety responded to both foreign and internal threats by instituting policies that prioritized security over individual rights. It initiated the Reign of Terror as a means to root out counter-revolutionaries, leading to mass executions. The committee also implemented conscription to strengthen military forces and introduced economic controls to stabilize prices and ensure food supply. These actions reflect how it prioritized the survival of the revolution over liberal principles.
• Evaluate the impact of Maximilien Robespierre's leadership on the actions and policies of the Committee for Public Safety during the Reign of Terror.
  • Robespierre's leadership significantly influenced the Committee for Public Safety, pushing it toward more radical policies that emphasized virtue and public morality. He argued that terror was a necessary tool to defend the revolution and its ideals. Under his direction, the committee expanded its reach, leading to increased surveillance, arrests, and executions of suspected enemies. This era exemplified how one individual's vision can shape a governmental body’s approach to crisis management but also reveals how such concentration of power can lead to widespread fear and oppression.
• Analyze how the actions of the Committee for Public Safety during its tenure contributed to both the revolutionary goals and subsequent disillusionment among citizens in France.
  • The actions of the Committee for Public Safety initially aligned with revolutionary goals by striving to protect liberty, equality, and fraternity against perceived threats. However, its methods—particularly during the Reign of Terror—resulted in widespread fear and suffering among citizens due to arbitrary arrests and executions. As revolutionaries turned against each other and public support eroded due to radical policies, many began questioning whether their sacrifices were worth it. This duality highlights how revolutionary fervor can morph into tyranny, leaving a legacy of both achievement in establishing republican ideals and a cautionary tale about excesses in governance.

Related terms

Reign of Terror: A period during the French Revolution from 1793 to 1794 marked by extreme political repression and mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, led largely by the Committee for Public Safety.

Maximilien Robespierre: A leading figure in the Committee for Public Safety, Robespierre was instrumental in the radical phase of the French Revolution and is often associated with its most violent policies.

National Convention: The governing body of France during the revolutionary period that established the Committee for Public Safety to manage war efforts and internal dissent.