Thermidorian Reaction
Definition
The Thermidorian Reaction was a revolt in the French Revolution against the excesses of the Reign of Terror. It led to the fall of Maximilien Robespierre and marked an end to radical Jacobin rule.
Analogy
Imagine if your strict school principal, who has been suspending students left and right, suddenly gets replaced by a more lenient one. That's kind of like what happened during the Thermidorian Reaction - it was a shift from extreme measures towards more moderate ones.
Related terms
Maximilien Robespierre: As mentioned earlier, he was a leading figure in the French Revolution and his downfall is central to the Thermidorian Reaction.
The Directory: The government that came into power after the fall of Robespierre during the Thermidorian reaction. It represented a return to more conservative rule.
Jacobins: This political group lost its influence during this period as their radical approach fell out of favor.
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