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1. Radicalization of the Revolution:
> As the revolution progressed, more radical factions gained power and influence. The Jacobins, led by figures such as Maximilien Robespierre and Jean-Paul Marat, advocated for a complete transformation of society and a defense of the revolution against its perceived enemies.
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2. Fear of Counter-Revolution:
>The revolutionaries were constantly worried about the possibility of counter-revolutionary forces attempting to restore the monarchy. This fear led them to view anyone suspected of disloyalty or sympathy for the old regime as a threat that need to be eliminated.
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3. The Revolutionary Tribunal:
>The creation of the Revolutionary Tribunal in March 1793 gave the revolutionaries a powerful instrument to suppress and punish "enemies of the revolution." The Tribunal operated based on suspicion, and the accused often had limited rights and were presumed guilty until proven innocent.
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4. Committee of Public Safety:
>This powerful committee, dominated by radical Jacobins, was given extraordinary powers to protect the revolution and take swift action against counter-revolutionaries. The committee oversaw the activities of the Revolutionary Tribunal, making it a tool of political persecution.
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5. Propaganda:
>The revolutionaries used propaganda to spread fear, suspicion, and hatred among the population. They portrayed their opponents as traitors, monarchists, and enemies of the people, contributing to a climate of public hysteria and intolerance.
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6. Social Tensions:
>Underling social and economic tensions within French society were exacerbated by the revolution. The sans-culottes, the urban working class, demanded social and economic changes that the more moderate revolutionaries were unwilling or unable to provide. This fueled the radicalization of the revolution.
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It's important to note that the Reign of Terror was not a mere chaotic era of violence, it had a systematic character. The revolutionaries genuinely believed that they were taking necessary measures to protect their newly found liberty against internal and external threats. However, the escalation of violence and the climate of fear ultimately undermined many of the revolution's ideals.