< p>During the infamous 'Reign of Terror' that occurred during the French Revolution, the most common instrument of execution was the guillotine. The guillotine was a device designed for efficient and swift beheadings, and it became synonymous with the extreme violence and bloodshed that characterized this dark period of history.< /p> < p>The Reign of Terror, which lasted from 1793 to 1794, was a time of immense political and social upheaval in France. The revolutionaries, led by the Committee of Public Safety, sought to consolidate their power and eliminate opposition by resorting to extreme measures, including mass executions. It is estimated that around 16,000 people were executed during this period, with the guillotine being the primary method used.< /p> < p>The guillotine was invented by Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician, in the late 18th century. Its purpose was to provide a more humane and egalitarian means of execution compared to the previous methods, such as hanging or beheading with a sword. The guillotine consisted of a tall wooden frame with a sharp blade suspended at the top. The condemned person's head was placed on a block, and then the blade was released, swiftly severing the head from the body.< /p> < p>The use of the guillotine during the Reign of Terror was a deliberate and calculated move by the revolutionaries to publicly demonstrate their power and intimidate their enemies. Executions were often carried out in public squares, attracting large crowds who witnessed the gruesome spectacle. The guillotine became a symbol of terror and a potent tool for suppressing dissent.< /p> < p>Notable individuals who met their end at the guillotine during this period include King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, Maximilien Robespierre, and many other political figures, aristocrats, and ordinary citizens. The guillotine's efficiency and its ability to execute multiple individuals quickly made it the preferred method of execution during the Reign of Terror.< /p> < p>The 'Reign of Terror' was a period of extreme violence and brutality, and the guillotine played a central role in carrying out the mass executions. Its notoriety and association with this dark chapter in history have made it an enduring symbol of oppression and fear.< /p>

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