Revolutionary Tribunal (English: Tribunal révolutionnaire) (French)

The tribunal was established on March 10, 1793, to suppress the activities of counter-revolutionaries in response to the generalization of the French Revolutionary Wars and the outbreak of counter-revolutionary civil wars within the country. In September of the same year, the tribunal strengthened its activities by simplifying the procedures for trying suspects, and became the most direct organ of the "Reign of Terror." It tried well-known political leaders such as Queen Marie Antoinette, Girondists, radicals, and even the Danton and Hébert factions, but its more common role was to try so-called "counter-revolutionary suspects," and it became the target of fear and hatred from the general public. Eventually, the Robespierre faction, who were the driving force behind the reign, was also targeted for condemnation, but it was reorganized and weakened immediately after that in August 1794, and abolished in May of the following year. It is said that between 35,000 and 40,000 people were executed as victims of the "Reign of Terror" at its height.

[Kinichi Higuchi]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1793年3月10日、フランス革命戦争の全般化と国内での反革命内乱の勃発(ぼっぱつ)に対処するため、反革命派の動きを抑えるべく設置された裁判所。同年9月容疑者を裁くために手続を簡素化するなどして活動を強化、「恐怖政治」のもっとも直接的な機関となった。王妃マリ・アントアネット、ジロンド派、過激派、さらにはダントン派、エベール派など、著名な政治的指導者の裁判にもあたったが、より日常的にはいわゆる「反革命容疑者」の裁判がその任務であり、一般民衆の恐怖かつ憎悪の的となった。ついにはその推進者たるロベスピエール派も断罪の対象となったが、その直後の94年8月に改組、弱体化され、翌年5月に廃止された。「恐怖政治」の最盛期にその犠牲となって刑死した者は、3万5000人から4万人といわれる。

［樋口謹一］

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