The method of execution commonly used during the Reign of Terror in France (1793-1794) was the guillotine. This device became a symbol of the revolutionary period, characterized by mass executions of perceived enemies of the revolution. The guillotine was heralded as a more humane method of execution, designed to be quick and efficient. During the Reign of Terror, led by leaders such as Robespierre, thousands were executed, including prominent figures like Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. The widespread use of the guillotine left a lasting mark on the history of the French Revolution.