The Reign of Terror is a well-known component of the French Revolution, mostly due to the excessive use of the guillotine to preserve the Revolution. This activity asks students to look beyond the “chopping block” to discover the political motivations of the man behind the Terror: Maximilien Robespierre.
Students will create a timeline of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. They should be sure to include the following information and events in their timeline:
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options and adjust the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Students can create other “rise and fall” timelines for figures including Napoleon, Louis XVI, or Marat. In addition, students can identify and analyze the times Robespierre overstepped his authority, and sowed the seeds for his demise.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline of the Reign of Terror in France.
Role-playing helps students actively understand historical motivations and perspectives. Assign each student a historical figure and provide background info so they can debate and react to events as that character. This encourages critical thinking and empathy for complex decisions.
Choose major figures from the Reign of Terror, such as Robespierre, Danton, and Marie Antoinette. Distribute character cards with key facts and motivations to help students prepare for the activity. This ensures everyone understands their role and feels confident participating.
Select a turning point, like the justification of the Terror or public reactions to executions. Invite students to debate or discuss from their character's viewpoint, using evidence from their research and the timeline. Active discussion makes history come alive!
After the role-play, discuss as a class how the perspectives shared relate to the events on the timeline. Encourage students to update their timelines or add notes about how motivations and consequences shaped the Reign of Terror.
The Reign of Terror timeline highlights key events during the French Revolution from 1793 to 1794, including the rise of Robespierre, the execution of major figures, and the eventual end of the Terror. It's a useful tool for students to visualize important moments and understand the period's impact.
To teach the Reign of Terror using a timeline, have students identify major events, such as the beginning of the Terror, notable executions, key policies, and Robespierre's downfall. Let students illustrate each event and provide brief descriptions for a more engaging learning experience.
Robespierre aimed to preserve the French Revolution by eliminating enemies and consolidating power. He believed that using "terror" was necessary to protect revolutionary ideals and maintain order, even if it meant harsh measures like the guillotine.
Essential Reign of Terror timeline events include: the start of the Terror (September 5, 1793), execution of Marie Antoinette (October 16, 1793), execution of the Girondins (October 31, 1793), Robespierre justifying his actions (December 25, 1793), Festival of the Supreme Being (June 8, 1794), new laws against counterrevolutionaries (June 10, 1794), and the Terror's end (June 28, 1794).
Besides a standard timeline, students can create a timeline poster for presentations, use digital tools for interactive timelines, or do a gallery walk displaying different perspectives. Offering multiple formats helps engage diverse learners.