The Committee on Public Safety is the political body that controlled France during the reign of terror. It originally consists of 9 members of the convention and was set up in 1793 to defend France against its enemies, foreign and domestic to oversee the already existing organs of the executive body. France was faced with the international war and a myriad of threats. As they strove to meet these dangers, they became more and more powerful. At first it was dominated by Georges Danton and his followers but they were soon replaced by the radical Jacobins-Robespierre, Saint-Just and George Couthon. Thus the committee became the real center of power in the country and in December of 1793 the convention formally conferred the entire power. From this committee, a new method of relay donation emerged: government by Terror. New laws were passed, new civilian armies were created to sweep France, and around 16 000 people were executed in 9 months while the same number died in prison. Soon after, The members of the Committee of Public Safety experienced dissension which contributed to the downfall of Robespierre on July of 1794, after which it declined in importance. On July 28 1794, Robespierre and his brother Augustine along with Saint-Just and Couthon were arrested their enemies ending the Terror. the committee continued to exist until 1795 under the name “Constitution of 1795”.
http://library.thinkquest.org/C006257/revolution/committee_pub_safety.shtml
image: vimeo.com
http://library.thinkquest.org/C006257/revolution/committee_pub_safety.shtml
image: vimeo.com