What term describes the wave of panic that swept through the French countryside after the storming of the Bastille in 1789?

The term that describes the wave of panic that swept through the French countryside after the storming of the Bastille in 1789 is known as "The Great Fear." This event occurred during the summer of 1789, when rumors spread that the nobility were preparing to suppress the revolutionary movement. These fears led to widespread panic and unrest in rural areas, with peasants believing that aristocrats were gathering armed bands to attack them. As a result, communities reacted by rising up against their local lords, destroying feudal documents, and taking control of the estates.

The significance of The Great Fear lies in its role in amplifying the revolutionary fervor across France. It highlighted the tensions between the peasantry and the nobility, contributing to the broader revolutionary changes that unfolded during the French Revolution. The atmosphere of fear and suspicion motivated the revolutionaries to push for more radical reforms and eventually led to the abolition of feudalism.

The other terms mentioned, such as The Reign of Terror, refer to specific periods during the French Revolution characterized by political purges and executions, while The Terror of Lyon and The Insurrection do not encapsulate the widespread rural panic that defined The Great Fear. Understanding this context is essential in grasping the dynamics