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Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) is viewed by some as a revolutionary hero who defended the French Republic, while others see him as a tyrant responsible for the Reign of Terror. His early life was shaped by Enlightenment ideals, leading to his political involvement as a lawyer and deputy advocating for equality and justice. Ultimately, his radical policies led to his downfall, as he was arrested and executed in 1794, marking the end of the Reign of Terror and leaving a contested legacy of revolutionary zeal and ideological extremism.

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32 views10 pages

Home

Maximilien Robespierre (1758–94) is viewed by some as a revolutionary hero who defended the French Republic, while others see him as a tyrant responsible for the Reign of Terror. His early life was shaped by Enlightenment ideals, leading to his political involvement as a lawyer and deputy advocating for equality and justice. Ultimately, his radical policies led to his downfall, as he was arrested and executed in 1794, marking the end of the Reign of Terror and leaving a contested legacy of revolutionary zeal and ideological extremism.

Uploaded by

Akanksha Konwar
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Maximilien Robespierre:

Architect of the Revolution


or Tyrant?

“The secret of freedom lies in


educating people, whereas the
secret of tyranny is in keeping them
ignorant”
-Maximilien Robespierre
For some historians and biographers, Maximilien
Robespierre (1758–94) was a great revolutionary
martyr who succeeded in leading the French
Republic to safety in the face of overwhelming
military odds. For many others, he was the first
modern dictator, a fanatic who instigated the
murderous Reign of Terror in 1793–94.
Robespierre’s
Early Life

• Born on May 6, 1758, in Arras,


France.
• Orphaned young and raised by
relatives.
• Education at prestigious Louis-
le-Grand in Paris.
• Early influences: Classical
education, Enlightenment ideals,
Rousseau’s philosophy.
Maximilien de
Robespierre
dressed as
deputy of the
Third Estate by
Pierre Roch
Vigneron, c. 1790
(
Palace of Versaill
es
) The most
famous portrait
of Robespierre,
with his striped
jacket and
waistcoat, and
high cravat.
Entry into Politics
Initial Political Involvement:
1. Became a lawyer, advocating for equality and
justice.
2. Elected as a deputy of the Third Estate in 1789.
3. Known for his support of democratic reforms
during the Estates-General.
"Terror is nothing but justice,

The Incorruptible prompt, severe, and


inflexible; it is therefore an
emanation of virtue.“

• Reputation and Beliefs:


- Maximillien Robespierre

• Nicknamed "The Incorruptible" for his


moral integrity.
• Advocated for popular sovereignty,
universal suffrage, and the abolition of the
death penalty.
• Believed in the concept of virtue as
essential for a republic.
The Reign of Terror
• Robespierre’s Role:
• Leader during the period known as the
Reign of Terror (1793-1794).
• Implemented radical policies to defend
the Revolution against internal and
external enemies.
• Controversial measures: Mass executions
via the guillotine, targeting perceived
counter-revolutionaries.
‘Robespierre, after having had all the
French guillotined, beheads the
executioner with his own hand’ This rapidly
became a common Thermidorian cliché.
Robespierre is here shown trampling
underfoot the Constitutions of 1791 and
1793; the caption identifies separate
guillotines for all groups in French society,
from Girondins, nobles and priests to ‘the
elderly, women and children’.
Fall from Power
Thermidorian Reaction (1794):
• Robespierre’s increasing isolation from
the National Convention.
• July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor): Arrested
and executed by the same system he
helped create.
• His death marked the end of the Reign of
Terror.
Conclusion
•Robespierre’s life reflects the contradictions of the
French Revolution.
•McPhee portrays him as a man committed to the
revolution, yet consumed by its demands.
•His legacy remains contested, symbolizing both
revolutionary zeal and the dangers of ideological
extremism.

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