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Visualizing these adverse conditions Robespierre, one of the leaders of the mob, made his policy clear to the people.
"Tyrants beset us from without on our borders and the friends
of tyranny conspire within. In such a crisis the main principle
of our policy must be to govern the people by Reason and the enemies
of the people by Terror. Terror is only justice more prompt, more
vigorous, more inexorable and therefore virtue's true child."
The chief instruments of the Reign of Terror were
Law of suspects, which authorized the arrest of any person suspected of being attached to the cause of monarchy or unfavorably disposed towards the cause of the republic.
The Revolutionary Tribunal, which was an extraordinary criminal court, created for the speedy trial of the suspects and the guillotine.
Lazare Nicholas Carnot who was a member of the National Convention during the Revolution now served as Minister of Interior under Napoleon. With his foreign policy and with the aid of the army consisting of 770,000 combatants he defeated the enemy and did something marvelous in the interest of national defense.
As far as the domestic matter was concerned, the law of suspects was passed in September 1793 for curbing the activities of internal enemies. Another law was passed attempting curb spiraling prices. Yet another law attempted to bring to book suspects.
Religion took a backseat during the Reign of Terror. The rebels opposed Christianity and closed down the Churches.
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