Evaluate the reasons for the Thermidorean reaction.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the reasons for the Thermidorean reaction. Candidates may initially outline the Thermidorean reaction as the execution of Robespierre and his followers on 10 Thermidor (28th July) 1794. Candidates may refer to the rising numbers of executions and the National Convention turning against the Committee of Public Safety. This was partly due to fear that they would be the next to be accused and executed, especially after Robespierre’s speech of 8 Thermidor, in which he talked of suspects but did not name them. In addition, in the summer of 1794 there was division within the Committee of Public Safety, following Robespierre’s criticism of Billaud Varenne and Collot d’Herbois. Candidates may also refer to revenge as an important reason, as many people, from Royalists to Dantonists, wanted revenge for the excesses of the Terror. Candidates may point out that the Thermidorean reaction did not end with the death of Robespierre – there were attacks on Jacobins in the “White Terror” in 1794–1795.

The question required candidates to make an appraisal of the reasons for the Thermidorean reaction. Some very good responses were seen with good knowledge of the Terror, Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety. However, some candidates did not have the knowledge base to answer the questions and fell back on giving reasons for the outbreak of the Revolution in 1789.