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Robespierre's Role In The French Revolution

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Maximilien Francois Marie Isidore de Robespierre led the reign of terror that left over 17,000 people dead. 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. Robespierre is the reason the revolution succeeded, this power went to his head and this caused him to institute the reign of terror. The French Revolution began in 1789. Without it, Robespierre would not have been able to rally so much of the public and kill so many people. 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. The peasants paid most of the taxes but were …show more content…

He was able to gain the trust and respect of the peasants for his beliefs and the actions he took while in this position. He was famous for defending the poor along with making lengthy speeches supporting equality for all outside of the local academy. He also gained influence and power by associating himself with the Jacobins. 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. He was elected president of the Jacobin political faction in April of 1789. His new status allowed him to take part in writing The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and earn his place among the Estates General. He was elected to the Estates general for his attacks on the French monarchy and advocacy for democratic reform. He was elected to the Committee of Public Safety, formed to oversee the government, on July 27, 1793. He was able to successfully argue for the execution of the king, according to he justified this action by saying, “Louis must die in order for the revolution to live,” as he still claimed to be against the death penalty (Biography.com). The Reign of Terror began two months later. The Reign of Terror lasts 11 months, 300,000 suspected enemies of the revolution were arrested, and over 17,000 people were executed by the …show more content…

Maximilien Robespierre and many of his allies were arrested and taken to prison on July 27, 1794. “He escaped with the aid of a sympathetic jailer and hid in the Hotel de Ville in Paris”(Biography.com). When he received notice that he had been declared an outlaw, he tried to commit suicide but only succeeded in injuring his jaw. The National Convention then abducted him and he was killed the next day by the same machine that he himself had used to kill so many others Maximilien Robespierre was a terrific politician and revolutionary, and this allowed him to move up the ranks of French society and gain influence during the revolution. He was renowned for his moral values and exceptional ideas for the future of France. Until he went drunk with power and abused his position, which turned the French people against him and led to his

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