Maximilien Robespierre was a key figure and leader of the French Revolution. Known for his strong support of equality, justice, and the rights of the common people, he helped lead the revolution as a key member of the Jacobin Club. Also, he notably led the Committee of Public Safety during the events of the Reign of Terror. Under his leadership, thousands were executed by guillotine as perceived enemies of the revolution. Eventually, Robespierre’s increasing power and harsh policies led to his arrest and execution in 1794, ending the most violent phase of the French Revolution.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE – EARLY LIFE
Maximilien Robespierre was born on May 6th, 1758 in Arras, Artois, France. Robespierre was the oldest of four children. His mother died in July of 1764 due to complications related to childbirth and his father, François de Robespierre, left the children to travel Europe. Maximilien and his siblings were raised by their paternal aunts.
Showing promise from an early age, Robespierre trained to be a lawyer, just as his father had been. While in school, he was exposed to the new ideas of the Age of Enlightenment and read the works of several Enlightenment thinkers. In particular, Robespierre read the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau and adopted many of his views as his own. For example, Robespierre believed that the people of France were more well-equipped to handle the issues facing the country than the absolute monarchy.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE – FRENCH REVOLUTION
A key attribute of Robespierre throughout his life was his conviction to his principles. This characteristic would gain him the nickname of the “Incorruptible” as he was viewed as unwavering in his ideals. Eventually, he would play a pivotal role in the events of the French Revolution.
The first major event of the revolution was when Louis XVI called the Estates-General in May of 1789. Robespierre was elected a representative of the third estate and helped establish the National Assembly and would often speak of his ideals of liberty to the members of the assembly. His speeches would go on to have an impact on the principles of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Following the end of the National Assembly, Robespierre joined the famous Jacobin Club, which was an anti-royalist organization during the French Revolution. As well, he began working as a public prosecutor in Paris. Throughout 1792, he fought against the principles of the newly created Legislative Assembly, including a proposed war against Austria. He argued that the revolution must focus on fighting internal strife rather than wars against neighboring countries.
After the Legislative Assembly dissolved and made way for the more radical National Convention, Robespierre left his position as public prosecutor and was elected first deputy for Paris to the National Convention. The convention moved quickly to put Louis XVI on trial. Louis XVI was charged with treason due to his attempt to flee the country and was convicted. Robespierre commented that “Louis must die so the nation may live.” Louis XVI’s punishment was death and on, January 21st, 1793, he was executed by guillotine.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE – RISE AND FALL
Soon, Robespierre began his own rise to power within the revolution. He was the head of the Committee of Public Safety, which was the executive committee of the National Convention, and would become well known for its role in carrying out the Reign of Terror. For many months throughout 1794, Robespierre battled against other revolutionaries in the National Convention by questioning each of their loyalties towards the revolution. For example, he accused many people of being domestic threats to the continuation of the revolution. It is during this time that many prominent revolutionaries within the National Convention were guillotined for their perceived betrayal to the revolution and Robespierre maneuvered his way to the head of the convention. For example, when Georges Danton, a leading revolutionary, called for an end to the Reign of Terror he was the next to face the guillotine. Finally, on June 4th, 1794, Robespierre was elected the president of the National Convention.
Robespierre then declared a new religion called the Supreme Being and carried out a series of celebrations based around the new faith. On June 8th, 1794, Robespierre oversaw the Supreme Being Festival in Paris that would be celebrated based on a new calendar. Some members of the National Convention and Committee of Public Safety were visibly upset with the celebration and the actions of Robespierre. In fact, Robespierre had begun to make many enemies within the revolution after he claimed to have a list of people that were enemies of the state. By threatening to release the names, he angered others who began to work against him and accuse him of acting like a dictator.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE – EXECUTION
Based on his actions and threats the National Convention voted to arrest Robespierre. On July 28th, 1794, soldiers stormed into where he was staying. As the soldiers arrived, he attempted to commit suicide by gunshot to the head, but was instead only injured in the jaw, shattering it. For the rest of the day, Robespierre was held captive until he was guillotined without a trial that same afternoon. With his death, the fear and paranoia of the revolutionaries ended and the Reign of Terror was over. After the execution of Robespierre and the excess of the Reign of Terror, the National Convention was replaced by the Directory in 1795.
MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE – SIGNIFICANCE
As stated above, Maximilien Robespierre was a central figure in the French Revolution and played a key role in several important moments. For instance, he played a significant role in the Committee of Public Safety, where he sought to defend the revolution by implementing radical measures against perceived enemies. Furthermore, his policies, particularly during the Reign of Terror, led to widespread executions as he believed that extreme measures were necessary to purify and preserve the revolution. As such, many historians view Robespierre as responsible for many of the excesses and violence of the revolution. He helped to create a climate of fear and paranoia throughout France, which caused significant harm to French society.
For instance, while Robespierre’s leadership helped shape a more equal French society, it ultimately came at the cost of severe political repression and public fear. His fall from power and subsequent execution in 1794 underscored the dangers of absolute authority and the volatility of revolutionary politics. Today, Robespierre remains a symbol of the revolutionary era in France, combining both the drive for social change and the dangers of ideological extremism.
