10. Purges and Political Rivalries
Internal divisions fueled a relentless cycle of purges as the Jacobins targeted rival factions such as the Girondins and Hébertists. Accused of counter-revolutionary activities, these groups faced arrest, trial, and execution, further consolidating radical power. The drive to eliminate dissent intensified paranoia and violence, ensuring that revolutionary zeal often turned inward. These purges exemplified the Revolution’s self-destructive tendencies. Read more about the purge of the Girondins at History Today.
