Britannica Sources used in this answer

What was the Thermidorian Reaction?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Eighteenth-century painted portrait of Maximilien de Robespierre wearing a brown striped coat, high collar, and white cravat, set against a plain background. — Maximilien Robespierre One of the leading figures of the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre.

The Thermidorian Reaction was a pivotal parliamentary revolt during the French Revolution that occurred on 9 Thermidor, Year II (July 27, 1794). This event marked the downfall of Maximilien Robespierre, a leading figure of the Committee of Public Safety, and signaled the end of the Reign of Terror.12

Following months of escalating executions, the National Convention turned against Robespierre, shouting him down during a speech and decreeing his arrest. Robespierre and his key allies were captured at the Hôtel de Ville and executed by guillotine the following day.13

The coup reasserted the authority of the National Convention and led to a broader reactionary movement, including the purging of Jacobin clubs and the emptying of prisons. While the reaction brought an end to the state-sanctioned Terror, it was also followed by a brief period of violent retribution known as the White Terror and a shift toward social and political instability characterized by conspicuous consumption and economic hardship for the poor.1