The French Revolution began in 1789 with the aim of bringing about political and social change in France. However, after the adoption of the new constitution in 1791, the revolution took a radical turn, leading to a further radicalization of the movement.
One of the major factors that led to the radicalization of the French Revolution was the growing unrest among the common people who felt betrayed by the new constitution. The new constitution failed to address the economic grievances of the French population, which led to a rise in food prices and unemployment. This led to the formation of radical political clubs like the Jacobins, who called for a more radical approach to the revolution.
Another factor that contributed to the radicalization of the French Revolution was the external threat posed by other European powers. The French Revolution had sparked a wave of revolutionary movements across Europe, and several monarchies were alarmed by the growing influence of the revolutionary ideas. This led to a declaration of war against France by Austria and Prussia in 1792, which further polarized the French society and led to the rise of radical factions.
Finally, the execution of the French king, Louis XVI, in January 1793 was a turning point in the revolution. It signaled the end of the moderate phase of the revolution and marked the beginning of the radical phase. The radical leaders, led by Maximilien Robespierre, took control of the government and initiated the Reign of Terror, which saw the execution of thousands of people suspected of being counter-revolutionaries.
In conclusion, the radicalization of the French Revolution was a result of a combination of factors, including economic grievances, external threats, and the execution of the king. The radical phase of the revolution was marked by the rise of radical political clubs and the Reign of Terror, which saw the execution of thousands of people.