<P> Robespierre in February 1794 in a speech explained the necessity of terror: </P> <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>

Who did the government target during the reign of terror