The French Revolution and Empire (^) ‹ 131
- How did Robespierre feel about the use of terror?
A. It was immoral and indicative of tyranny.
B. It was a necessary means to a just end.
C. It was fatal to the Revolution.
D. It was an indication of powerlessness. - How would Robespierre have responded to the charge that his revolutionary govern-
ment had become despotic?
A. That the resemblance to despotism was superficial
B. That despotism was necessary to establish a virtuous monarchy
C. That, as a hero, he was entitled to despotic rule
D. Despotism was inevitable
Short Answer- Briefly give TWO illustrations of the existence of a “radical phase” of the French
Revolution and explain ONE cause of the shift to that phase.
Answers and Explanations- C is correct because the passage argues that a war of liberty is being fought in order
to bring about a democracy and “the peaceable reign of the constitutional laws.” A is
incorrect because the passage argues that tyranny is a tool, not a goal of the Revolution.
B and D are incorrect because the passage makes no reference to a monarchy as a goal
of the Revolution. - B is correct because the passage states that virtue without terror is powerless against
tyrannical enemies. A is incorrect because the passage argues that terror is a tool
and that the morality of its usage depends upon the goal of the user. C is incorrect
because the passage argues that terror is necessary for the success of the Revolution, not
fatal to it. D is incorrect because the passage states that it is virtue that is powerless in
times of revolution, unless it is paired with terror. - A is correct because the passage states that his government resembles despotism only as
“the sword that gleams in the hands of the heroes of liberty resembles that with which
the henchmen of tyranny are armed”; that is, only superficially. B is incorrect because
the passage states that the redemptive goal of the Revolution is the institution of a virtu-
ous republic, not monarchy. C is incorrect because the passage disputes the notion that
his government has become despotic. D is incorrect because the passage argues that the
Revolution can be successful in its battle against despotism if it is willing to use terror. - Suggested answer:
Thesis: The existence of a radical phase of the French Revolution can be detected in the
passage of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in July 1790 and in the vote to abolish the
monarchy in September 1792. One explanation for the advent of this phase was the rise of
the sans-culottes.
Paragraph Outline:I. The passage of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in July 1790 is evidence of a radical
phase because its subordination of the clergy to the new French state was not a goal of
the original, moderate leaders of the Revolution, who wanted only to curb the privileges
of the clergy.PRACTICE16_Bartolini_Ch16_119-132.indd 131 27/04/18 1:55 PM