Robespierre and the reign of terror

His life, marked by brilliance and brutality, continues to fascinate and perplex scholars and history enthusiasts alike. What drove him to champion the causes he did, and how did he justify the extreme measures of the Terror? His early life was marked by tragedy, as his mother died when he was only six years old, and his father abandoned the family shortly thereafter.

Raised by his maternal grandparents, Robespierre's upbringing was characterized by a sense of abandonment and a yearning for stability. Despite these early hardships, Robespierre excelled academically. He won a scholarship to the prestigious Louis-le-Grand College in Paris, where he immersed himself in classical studies and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers such as Rousseau and Voltaire.

These thinkers greatly influenced Robespierre's developing political ideology, instilling in him a belief in the innate goodness of man and the corrupting influence of society. Robespierre's time at Louis-le-Grand was marked by his exceptional intellect and a growing passion for social justice. His eloquence and persuasive oratory skills were evident even at this young age, earning him accolades and recognition from his peers and teachers.

Inhe received a law degree from the University of Orleans and returned to Arras to practice law. As a young lawyer, Robespierre quickly gained a reputation for his commitment to the rights of the poor and marginalized. He often took on cases pro bono, defending those who could not afford legal representation.

Robespierre and the reign of terror: What is Maximilien Robespierre known

His legal practice was not merely a profession but a platform for his burgeoning political ideas. He became vocal in local politics, advocating for democratic reforms and the abolition of feudal privileges. Maximilien Robespierre's political ideology was deeply rooted in the Enlightenment ideals of reason, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

A staunch advocate for democratic principles, he believed in the inherent goodness of the common people and the necessity of a government that represented their interests. Robespierre's political philosophy was heavily influenced by the writings of Rousseau, particularly "The Social Contract. He embraced the concept of the general will, arguing that the collective will of the people should be the guiding force of government.

This belief led him to champion universal suffrage and the abolition of property qualifications for voting, radical ideas for his time. His commitment to equality extended beyond political rights. Robespierre was an early advocate for the abolition of slavery in the French colonies and spoke out against racial and economic discrimination. He believed that true liberty could not be achieved without social equality, and he worked tirelessly to dismantle the feudal privileges that had long oppressed the French populace.

Yet, Robespierre's ideology was not without its contradictions. While he espoused democratic principles, he also believed in the necessity of a strong and centralized government to guide the Revolution. During the Reign of Terror, he justified the use of extreme measures, including mass executions, as necessary to preserve the Revolution and protect it from internal and external enemies.

His unwavering belief in the righteousness of his cause led him to view dissent as treason, a stance that would ultimately contribute to his downfall. Robespierre's political philosophy also encompassed a moral dimension. For other uses, see The Terror disambiguation. Influences [ edit ]. Enlightenment thought [ edit ]. Threats of foreign invasion [ edit ].

Popular pressure [ edit ]. Religious upheaval [ edit ]. Major events during the Terror [ edit ]. Thermidorian Reaction [ edit ]. Main article: Thermidorian Reaction. See also [ edit ]. Notes [ edit ].

Robespierre and the reign of terror: The term "Terror" used to

Paris: Gallimard. References [ edit ]. Citations [ edit ]. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, coll. Paris: Perrin. Cornell University Press. ISBN Archived from the original on 8 April Retrieved 12 March — via Google Books. Archived from the original on 20 June Retrieved 31 January Kingston University. Archived from the original PDF on 17 January Retrieved 2 December The French Revolution.

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Robespierre and the reign of terror: In July Robespierre was arrested and

Palmer The Twelve who Ruledpp. A People's History of the French Revolution. French Revolution I. The following day Robespierre, wounded from a bullet to the jaw, and 21 of his closest supporters were executed at the guillotine. Search term:. Read more. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets CSS enabled.

While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets CSS if you are able to do so. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. He gained a reputation for defending the poorest of society and earned the nickname "the incorruptible" for his adherence to strict moral values.

At age 30, Robespierre was elected to the Estates General of the French legislature. He became increasingly popular with the people for his attacks on the French monarchy and his advocacy for democratic reforms.

Robespierre and the reign of terror: Robespierre and the Terror.

He also opposed the death penalty and slavery. Some of his colleagues saw his refusal to compromise and his rigid stand against all authority as extreme and impractical. After a time he left the legislature to push his agenda outside of government. In AprilRobespierre was elected president of the powerful Jacobin political faction. A year later, he participated in writing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the foundation of the French constitution.

In December of that year, he successfully argued for the execution of the king and continued to encourage the crowds to rise up against the aristocracy. On July 27,Robespierre was elected to the Committee of Public Safety, formed to oversee the government with virtual dictatorial control. Faced with pressures both from the outside and from within, the Revolutionary government instituted the Reign of Terror in September.