Already a member? Why was the Algerian Revolution so important? Through His Actions and Policies, To What Extent was King Louis the XVI Responsible for the French Revolution? What many people don 't know, is that he was also a major component in the French Revolution and the fight for equal rights among the estates. I feel like its a lifeline. The Reign of Terror was the roughly one year-long period during the French Revolution when many public executions and massacres were carried out by the Revolutionary government. Maximilian Robespierre (17581794) was a leading figure of the French Revolution. Much of the killing can be blamed on Robespierre and King Louis XVI. All rights reserved. The Incorruptible Robespierre, as he was nicknamed, was a virtuous but bloody figure in the French Revolution. Why did Napoleon crown himself Emperor of France? On July 27, 1794, Robespierre and many of his allies were arrested and taken to prison. Some Rights Reserved (2009-2023) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted. As a representative of the Third Estate, Robespierre promoted the interests of the lower classes. Robespierre practices law in Arras, earning a reputation as a defender of the marginalized. When Robespierre joined the Estates-General as a representative of Arras, he was quickly elected leader of the Jacobins. Meanwhile, things got messy. The reign of terror was not justified because Enlightenment ideas were ignored, the rights of the common people were violated, and the methods of punishment were too harsh. Who did Robespierre represent for the majority of the French Revolution? The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. It is well laid out and suits the needs of my students. We care about our planet! His energetic leadership was important in French military victories against other foreign powers. In an attempt to deal with these problems, the tats-Gnraux, or Estates-General (parts of the French government representing the three estates), convened for the first time since 1614. First known for his talent as a lawyer, Robespierre quickly became involved in the French political sphere. Who was Robespierre? A Plagued Mind: The Justification of Violence within the Principles of Maximilien Robespierre. Providence College, Spring 2013. At age 30, Robespierre was elected to the Estates General of the French legislature. Those revolutions include the Haitian and French Revolution. The French Revolution began in 1789. The History While Robespierre attended the National Assembly first as a deputy and then as a secretary, he didn't have any great authority until after King Louis XVI's execution. Maximilien Robespierre | Biography, French Revolution, Reign of Terror Maximilien Robespierre is often seen as the villain of the French Revolution, even more so than Louis XVI. "What good things did Maximilian Robespierre do?" In 1790 Harry sets off for Paris. Answer: Maximilien Robespierre was a radical democrat and key figure in the French Revolution of 1789. Robespierres call for all men to vote, not just the rich who owned property, inspired many within the third estate. Regardless of how much authority Robespierre actually held in the Committee of Public Safety, he still played a role in the Reign of Terror. What good things did Maximilian Robespierre do? - eNotes.com Why was Maximilien Robespierre important to France? He died guillotined like many of the French revolutionaries. An example is the American Revolution, in which the American colonists, who were influenced by new philosophies and the sense of nationalism, fought and gained their independence from Britain. Many loyalist and people that opposed the revolution were executed, including many innocents people too. Why was Marquis de Lafayette important to the American Revolution? In July 1794, he got word that some political opponents were coming to town to try and get rid of him. A persuasive writer but a mediocre speaker, Maximilien Robespierre was most influential behind the scenes rather than in direct spotlight. The commoners (The 3rd Estate). Maximilien Robespierre is born in Arras, a small city in Artois, France. What did Robespierre do while he was a Jacobin leader? In July of 1793, Robespierre became the head of the Committee of Public Safety. This showed Europe that the French were capable of revolting and they were not afraid to stand up for what they believed. There were, however, incessant factional feuds in the leadership. How did Maximilien Robespierre come to power? He thinks his belief is right but the wrong aspect about this is he clings too much on that belief that he forgets reality. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794) was a lawyer and, from 1789, an increasingly important and controversial political figure during the French Revolution. The peasants paid most of the taxes but were, He was able to gain the trust and respect of the peasants for his beliefs and the actions he took while in this position. Categories: After the coup, the Committee of Public Safety lost its credibility and the French Revolution became distinctly less radical. Maximilien Robespierre was a leader of the French Revolution. C.) the Pope blessed him as an enlightened monarch. Maximilien de Robespierre, (born May 6, 1758, Arras, Francedied July 28, 1794, Paris), French revolutionary. Maximilien Robespierre was a leader of the French Revolution. Robespiere played a key part in making these documents a reality. It could certainly be argued that this was a major achievement of his. 1. What are the good things Julius Caesardid as emperor? He believed in equality and virtue, and he lived those beliefs in his personal life. Its hard to reconcile these acts with the personal beliefs and actions of the man just a few years prior. Take a moment to picture the ideal, perfect world. He was a bright child. Peasants in France felt extremely oppressed by the authoritarian rule of the monarchy and aristocratic class, so they were desperate for any sort of reform that would benefit them. On July 27, 1793, Robespierre was elected to the Committee of Public Safety, formed to oversee the government with virtual dictatorial control. The Bourbon monarchy had imprisoned those who were against the king and held them without a trial, executing many. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Many loyalist and people that opposed the revolution were executed, including many innocents people too. Updates? He was nicknamed the Incorruptible because he was not interested in personal wealth or acclaim. Astrological Sign: Taurus, Death Year: 1794, Death date: July 28, 1794, Death City: Paris, Death Country: France, Article Title: Maximilien de Robespierre Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figures/maximilien-de-robespierre, Publisher: A&E; Television Networks, Last Updated: October 28, 2021, Original Published Date: April 2, 2014. Why Was Robespierre Important - 518 Words | Bartleby Peasants were in revolt, the City of Lyon had rebelled and the Mediterranean naval base at Toulon had been surrendered to the British. King Louis youth depicted him as reckless, thoughtless, and unwise. The battle cry of the French Revolution was Libert galit . Sasha Blakeley has a Bachelor's in English Literature from McGill University and a TEFL certification. /r/History is a place for discussions about history. Below is the article summary. Our summaries and analyses are written by experts, and your questions are answered by real teachers. Now after I researched and studied a little bit I am kind of sad to see that he isn't 'hero' as I thought when I was a kid. He had good intentions for France, he opposed slavery, he wanted to see people break from kings and aristocrats, etc. In 1789, France was experiencing increasing political instability. In the latter months of 1793 he came to dominate the Committee of Public Safety, the principal organ of the . Maximilien Robespierre is best known as the leader of the bloody Reign of Terror during French Revolution. Although he studied in Paris, he returned to Arras to practice law. While living with the family in France the French Revolution begins to worry the Cox family because they support the King and Paris. King Louis was young, distracted and misguided. He was renowned for his moral values and exceptional ideas for the future of France. He turn the color of the sky from blue to black. He believed that virtue and service to your country should count far more than class and personal gains. I thoroughly enjoyed this lesson plan and so do my students. Robespierre's Role In The French Revolution | ipl.org Maximilien Robespierre, the architect of the French Revolution's Reign of Terror, is overthrown and arrested by the National Convention. His speeches and writings were very influential in turning the tide of the Revolution towards a more radical phase with regular public beheadings at the guillotine on the Place de la Rvolution in Paris. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The First Estate was the Catholic clergy, and the Second Estate was the aristocracy. Latest answer posted August 03, 2011 at 2:13:13 AM. Explore the life of Maximilien Robespierre and his role in the French Revolution. He was later executed on January 21, 1793. I'm asking because I have mixed feeling about him. Reddit, Inc. 2023. Even though Robespierre was seen as a maniac by some, he worked hard to create a more equitable system of imprisonment in France, which was enacted after the revolution. He is important for his political idealism and more. 36 . To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to forgive them is cruelty. The Jacobins were the most radical and ruthless of the political groups formed in the wake of the Revolution, their influence on Robespierre could be what started him on his descent into madness. Entering Public Service Robespierre soon took on a public role, calling for political change in the French monarchy. While his ideals were in many ways admirable, Robespierre's extreme actions during the Reign of Terror ultimately left him with a contentious and bloody reputation. As one of the leading members of the Paris Commune, Robespierre was elected as a deputy to the French Convention in early September 1792 but was soon criticised for trying to establish either a triumvirate or a dictatorship. After calling for the death of Louis XVI, he led the Jacobins (see Jacobin Club) and the Committee of Public Safety (1793) in establishing the Reign of Terror, during which, as virtual dictator of France, he had former friends such as Georges Danton executed. They are just waiting for the time when they will have an injustice death. Maximilien Marie Isidore de. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. After the royal family fails to flee Paris the St. Caux family moves to Paris to support the king and avoid the growing chaos of the peasants living in the countryside. The Overthrow of Maximilien Robespierre and the Indifference of the People.. Reign of Terror, also called the Terror, French La Terreur, period of the French Revolution from September 5, 1793, to July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor, year II). Robespierre also ushered in a refocus on Greco-Roman learning in the fields of science, government and education, calling them the cornerstones of society. }); 1781 - 1789. Robespierre and Saint-Just were arrested on July 27 and guillotined the following day. After all of the blood shed, the laws, civil rights, and codes did not get instituted effectively and did not represent the values that the citizens had fought for. Many members, fearing that they were the ones he was talking about, banded together to organize his arrest. While I think "yhea he was bad but not that bad". Like. Why was the Spanish Revolution important in 1810? Why was Louis XVI executed and how did his death lead to the Reign of Terror? In Robespierre's view, people standing in the way of the creation of this republic of virtue had to be eliminated. He was determined to bring about a republic of virtue. Philosophically, he was a follower of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), particularly when it came to Rousseau's beliefs about the freedom of the people and the necessity of individual virtue. Reign of Terror | History, Significance, & Facts | Britannica The current western political philosophies in France is the result of the French Revolution which introduced the principles of civic equality and popular sovereignty that challenged the historical Three Estates. Feel free to submit interesting articles, tell us about this cool book you just read, or start a discussion about who everyone's favorite figure of minor French nobility is! https://www.britannica.com/summary/Maximilien-Robespierre. See full answer below. In 1789, France was precariously balanced on the edge of chaos. Many important ideologies were developed during this time period. Reddit, Inc. 2023. Maximilien Robespierre - Serious Science }); Photo: DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI/De Agostini via Getty Images, Why Lewis Strauss Didn't Like Oppenheimer, Name: Maximilien de Robespierre, Birth Year: 1758, Birth date: May 6, 1758, Birth City: Arras, Birth Country: France. He was the most powerful. tl_categories_checked(); Why can it be said the "those who start a revolution are often consumed by its flames?" Latest answer posted April 25, 2020 at 12:44:17 AM. A.) He led a group called the Jacobins who were vital to the success of the revolution. The next day, he and 21 of his allies were executed at the guillotine. Why is Maximilien de Robespierre significant? - brainly.com All rights reserved. Why was Napoleon Bonaparte important to the Louisiana Purchase? France during those days was in chaos. Civilization & Science It seems to history that he was the worst of the worst. Maximilien Marie Isidore de Robespierre was born in Arras, France, on May 6, 1758, the oldest of four children. [8] Originally a lawyer, he became involved with politics as one of the representatives of the Estates-General in 1789. In 1799, a military coup led by Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory and established him as the first consul, with dictatorial powers. He was deeply invested in the creation of a country that espoused the virtues of liberty and equality for all, as well as fraternity and service to one's country. The French Revolution was a major failure and a minor success. 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. These two points are miniscule compared to death, destruction, and economic failures that the Revolution brought. After a power struggle in the revolutionary government, the Jacobins came out on top. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. This was a period of time when thousands of people were being executed for unfair reasons because of Robespierre- an absolute monarch who believed that torture and terror were required to have a strong constitutional law. However, Robespierre ended up achieving many lasting accomplishments, such helping to . Although he was brutal and self-righteous, he was not evil and he was no hypocrite. Lately I've been reading a lot about the French Revolution and I came across Maximilien Robespierre. Omissions? After moving to Paris an order of events start to happen after an arrest warrant is ordered for all the members of noble families. Napoleon was a hero because he believed in better education for the people of France, he wanted to get rid of the tyrants of other countries to better the lives of people under their rule, and people had civil rights, which they didnt have prior to his reign as emperor. All rights reserved. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Jones, Colin. Robespierre was chosen to sit on this committee and became its most famous member. Make sure to familiarize yourself with our rules and guidelines before participating. Sometimes we get so focused on building a better future that we dont notice, or outright ignore, the mess were making in the present. The eldest of four children, he was largely brought up by his grandparents after his mother died in childbirth. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. French politician, physician, and journalist. Without specific names, everyone feared that they might be the ones on Robespierre's list, so they all turned against him and ordered his arrest. 10 Facts About Robespierre | History Hit The Law of Suspects passed in September 1793 provided a legal basis for the executions. Robespierre was called "the Incorruptible" for his simple manner and clothing. A year later, he participated in writing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, the foundation of the French constitution. Maximilien Franois Marie Isidore de Robespierre, more commonly known as Maximilien Robespierre, was a leading member of the French Revolution who is best remembered today for his role in the Reign of Terror. In 1783, Robespierre's career began to shift into public service and politics. In 1789, Robespierre was elected as a deputy for the third estate. $('.chk_timeline_types').change(function() { Maximilien Robespierre is often seen as the villain of the French Revolution, even more so than Louis XVI. This topic is controversial when the question, Was the Reign of Terror justified? is asked. He was also a man of considerable accomplishments. "The Revolution devours it children." He wasnt the only leader who caused the Reign of Terror but he did play a large role. Scan this QR code to download the app now. This committee was dedicated to killing anyone who seemed to be against the revolution or supportive of the monarchy. The truth is likely somewhere in the middle, though well never know for sure. Equality, liberty, and service to country would be the greatest thing you could do. While King Louis XVIs head lay lifeless, Robespierre still thought execution to be an unjustifiable crime. I really appreciate all the time put into making this product and thank you for sharing. A guy that won a scholarship to study among the French elite, an Elite that mocked him for being poor. In the latter months of 1793, he came to dominate the Committee of Public Safety, the principal organ of the Revolutionary government during the Reign of Terror, but in 1794 he was overthrown and guillotined. There arent always clear cut answers to ethical queries or even historical questions. States & Territories Why was Benedict Arnold important in the revolutionary war? Robespierre overthrown in France - HISTORY He is infamous for the excesses of the Reign of Terror. In 1804, Napoleon proclaimed himself emperor of France. He is important for his political idealism and more notably for his heavy involvement in the Reign of Terror. After a time he left the legislature to push his agenda outside of government. Why was Maximilien Robespierre important? | Homework.Study.com Eventually, the people turned against him, and he was executed by guillotine in the Thermidorian Reaction. Maximilien Robespierre: Beliefs vs Actions | Academy 4SC So do you think he was evil or good but blinded to what he was doing. [9] Anyone found hindering the progress of the revolution could be executed.