Who was the primary leader during the Reign of Terror?

The primary leader during the Reign of Terror was Maximilien Robespierre. He played a pivotal role in the Committee of Public Safety, which was established to protect the revolutionary government from internal and external enemies. Under his leadership, the Reign of Terror unfolded between September 1793 and July 1794, characterized by mass executions of perceived political foes, trials, and extreme measures to uphold the revolutionary ideals.

Robespierre believed that maintaining the revolutionary agenda required a strong, sometimes ruthless hand, and he famously stated that "terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible." His influence led to the establishment of revolutionary tribunals, which expedited trials and executions, often based on scant evidence. This period resulted in the deaths of thousands, including prominent figures such as Georges Danton and even Robespierre himself, who was executed when he lost power.

His controversial governance and the extreme actions taken during this time have made Robespierre a central figure in discussions of the French Revolution, especially in terms of how revolutionary ideals can lead to authoritarian practices.