Question

Which of the following BEST describes the Reign of Terror?
A) The later period of Louis XVI's reign in which high bread prices led to the starvation which was largely ignored by the monarchy.
B) A period of dictatorial rule in France that led to the deaths of thousands perceived to be blocking the French revolution’s progress.
C) A time in which rumours led to panic among peasants who retaliated by attacking the nobility's country estates.
D) A rumour-driven attack on a Paris prison fortress to search for new weapons to defend the city against Louis XVI's forces
E) A time in which french forces conquered most of the continental Europe building a French empire.

Answer 1

Hint: The Reign of Terror, a period of the french revolution from 15th September 1793, to 27th July 1794. This period is also known as French La Terreur. During this time, a civil war has been broken down in the Vendée and hostile armies have enveloped France on all fringes.

Complete answer: Option A is incorrect; Shortage of Bread during the reign of Louis XVI led to starvation played a key role in sparking the revolution in France against the monarchy.
On September 5, 1793, the revolutionary government passed the order known as "September 5 decree" which stated that any suspected enemy to the revolution is required to be crushed. This leads to a wave of execution in the city of Paris. Approximately 40,000 French citizens lost their lives due to a movement that resulted in excess of revolution and violence.
It has been believed that the Committee of Public Safety that was chaired by Maximilien Robespierre was accountable for all the bloodlettings. Maximilien Robespierre came to power during the revolution after the execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette in 1793. The Committee exerted dictatorial controls over the French government and executed the Hébertists (enemies to the left) and followers of Georges Danton (enemies to the right). The committee also brought forward Law of 22 Prairial into effect that suspended the rights of the suspects for any legal assistance or fair trial leading to only death orders or acquittal by the Jury.
Option C is incorrect; It discusses Great Fear, or French Grande Peur when there are unrest and riots by the peasants over the rumour of “aristocratic conspiracy” by the king which results at the end of The Third Estate, that comprises of common people and 90% of the population of France.
Option D is incorrect as it discusses the Storming of the Bastille happened on the morning of 14th July 1789, when the Paris Prison Fortress Bastille was attacked by the angry mob on a rumour that massive ammunition is stored in the prison.
Hence, Option B is Correct.

Note: The series of terror led to the fall of Robespierre on 27th July 1794 and The Reign of Terror came to an end after his execution, post which the National Convention was replaced by the Directory in 1795.