<P> If the basis of popular government in peacetime is virtue, the basis of popular government during a revolution is both virtue and terror; virtue, without which terror is baneful; terror, without which virtue is powerless . Terror is nothing more than speedy, severe and inflexible justice; it is thus an emanation of virtue; it is less a principle in itself, than a consequence of the general principle of democracy, applied to the most pressing needs of the patrie (homeland, fatherland). </P> <P> Some historians argue that such terror was a necessary reaction to the circumstances . Others suggest there were additional causes, including ideological and emotional . </P> <P> Enlightenment thought emphasized the importance of rational thinking and began challenging legal and moral foundations of society, providing the leaders of the Terror with new ideas about the role and structure of government . Rousseau's Social Contract argued that each person was born with rights, and they would come together to form a government that would then protect those rights . Under the social contract, the government was required to act for the general will, which represented the interests of everyone rather than a few factions . Drawing from the idea of a general will, Robespierre felt that the French Revolution could result in a Republic built for the general will but only once those who fought this ideal were expelled . Those who resisted the government were deemed "tyrants" fighting against the virtue and honor of the general will . The leaders felt their ideal version of government was threatened from the inside and outside of France, and terror was the only way to preserve the dignity of the Republic created from French Revolution . </P> <P> During the Reign of Terror, the sans - culottes and the Hébertists put pressure on the National Convention delegates and contributed to the overall instability of France . The National Convention was bitterly split between the Montagnards and the Girondins . The Girondins were more conservative leaders of the National Convention, while the Montagnards supported radical violence and pressures of the lower classes . Once the Montagnards gained control of the National Convention, they began demanding radical measures . Moreover, the sans - culottes, the scrappy, urban workers of France, agitated leaders to inflict punishments on those who opposed the interests of the poor . The sans - culottes' violent demonstrations pushing their demands, created constant pressure for the Montagnards to enact reform . The sans - culottes fed the frenzy of instability and chaos by utilizing popular pressure during the Revolution . For example, the sans - culottes sent letters and petitions to the Committee of Public Safety urging them to protect their interests and rights with measures such as taxation of foodstuffs that favored workers over the rich . They advocated for arrests of those deemed to oppose reforms against those with privilege, and the more militant members would advocate pillage in order to achieve the desired equality . The resulting instability caused problems that made forming the new Republic and achieving full political support even more critical . </P>

Who led the reign of terror and who was prosecuted in the revolutionary courts