The event during the French Revolution best remembered for the surge of violence against dissenters is the Reign of Terror (1793-1794). Led by the radical Jacobins, particularly Maximilien Robespierre, this period was marked by rampant political purges and executions of perceived enemies of the revolution, often without fair trials. The guillotine became a symbol of this violent phase, as thousands, including political leaders and ordinary citizens, were executed. The Reign of Terror aimed to consolidate revolutionary ideals but ultimately led to fear and instability, contributing to Robespierre's eventual downfall and the emergence of more moderate governance.