Maximilien Robespierre

Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre, a French lawyer who became a key figure in the French Revolution, was born on May 6, 1758.

Maximilien Robespierre was born on July 28, 1758. He was a French lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the French Revolution.

In 1764, Maximilien Robespierre's mother, Jacqueline-Marguerite Carrault, passed away at the age of 29 while giving birth to a stillborn daughter. Her death had a profound impact on the Robespierre family.

In 1767, Maximilien Robespierre's father, also named Maximilien de Robespierre, left Arras for good, abandoning his children to the care of relatives. This event marked a significant turning point in the young Robespierre's life.

In 1769, Maximilien Robespierre won a scholarship to the prestigious college Louis-le-Grand in Paris. This opportunity allowed him to excel in rhetoric and ancient history, and also led to his close friendship with future revolutionary Camille Desmoulins. It was at Louis-le-Grand where Robespierre was introduced to the ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which greatly influenced his political career.

Robespierre studies at the Louis-le-Grand college in Paris and becomes acquainted with the works of Rousseau.

Maximilien Robespierre graduated with his law degree and started a law practice in Arras. He was known for his beliefs in equality, liberty, and service to country.

In January 1781, Maximilien Robespierre started his career as an advocate.

In 1782, Robespierre's success in his profession led to his appointment to the criminal court of Arras. This marked a significant milestone in his legal career.

In 1783, Maximilien Robespierre's career transitioned into public service and politics. He began representing poor clients as a lawyer and supported campaigns to reform the absolute monarchy in France.

In 1784, he received a prize from the Academy of Metz for writing an essay in favor of equality before the law.

On June 6, 1789, Robespierre delivered his first speech in the Estates-General, criticizing the hierarchical structure of the church and showcasing his eloquence and passion for reform.

Maximilien Robespierre was elected as the president of the Jacobins on March 31, 1790. His radical speeches advocating for universal suffrage and other reforms gained him popularity among the people and within the Jacobin Club.

Robespierre discussed the organization of the National Guard in the Assembly, a topic that had been widely debated in French newspapers for three years.

Robespierre opposed the inclusion of the term 'slaves' in a law, arguing that slavery contradicted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

The Constituent Assembly granted citizenship to 'all people of colour born of free parents', with Robespierre arguing against the Colonial Committee's opposition.

Robespierre argued for a revolutionary war to free subjects and slaves from unjust tyranny, emphasizing the importance of fighting for the people's sovereignty rather than traditional reasons like defending dynasties.

Robespierre proposed constitutional measures to strengthen the forces defending the revolution, promoting the idea of a people's army to impose the will of the revolution on political factions.

Robespierre was appointed as the public accuser in the criminal trial court of Paris, a position that restricted his involvement until the jury reached a verdict.

Louis XVI affirmed the Jacobin decree granting equal political rights to free blacks and mulattoes in Saint-Domingue.

When war was declared, Robespierre emphasized the need for the French people to arm themselves to fight against external threats and prevent despotism at home.

Robespierre attended a Jacobin meeting to support a decree aimed at ending slavery.

A delegation led by Chaumette presented a petition to the Convention requesting the general emancipation of blacks in the colonies, which was officially included in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen of 1793.

On July 13, 1793, Robespierre expressed support for Louis-Michel le Peletier's proposals to introduce revolutionary concepts into schools, while condemning the actions of the Parisian radicals known as the Enragés.

Maximilien Robespierre is elected to the Committee of Public Safety, and the National Convention introduces the death penalty for hoarders of goods.

On August 21, 1793, Robespierre was elected as president of the Convention, while the provisional government introduced the Levée en masse against the enemies of the republic.

On 10 October 1793, the Convention officially recognized the Committee of Public Safety as the supreme 'Revolutionary Government'. This designation granted the Committee unprecedented authority over the economy and political life of the nation.

Slavery was officially abolished in St Domingue, with Robespierre criticizing the former governor's actions regarding the freed slaves.

On the morning of 14 November 1793, François Chabot accused Robespierre of counter-revolution and a foreign conspiracy, dragging him from bed with allegations of royalist plotters. Chabot was later arrested, and Courtois urged Danton to return to Paris.

On 3 December 1793, Robespierre accused Danton in the Jacobin Club of feigning an illness to emigrate to Switzerland, criticizing him for showing his vices more than his virtue. The gathering was closed after applause for Danton.

On 12 December 1793, Robespierre attacked the wealthy foreigner Cloots in the Jacobin club, denouncing the 'de-Christianisers' as foreign enemies. The Indulgents accused the Committee of Public Safety of being murderers.

Robespierre praised the revolutionary government and argued that terror and virtue were necessary for popular government during revolution.

Hébert and 18 of his followers were arrested on charges of being agents of foreign powers. This event marked a significant crackdown on the ultra-left Hébertists.

Around twenty people, including Hébert, Cloots, and De Kock, were guillotined on the evening of 24 March. Robespierre protected Hanriot and Pache during this time.

Condorcet was arrested on 25 March as an enemy of the Revolution and later committed suicide two days later.

Robespierre was elected as a member of the Committee of Public Safety, where he stood out as one of the most radical revolutionaries.

On May 6, 1794, Robespierre announced the Committee of Public Safety's recognition of the existence of God and the immortality of the human soul, aiming to rejuvenate spirituality in France through Deist beliefs.

On June 4, 1794, Maximilien Robespierre was elected as the president of the National Convention. This event marked a significant moment in the French Revolution.

During the 'Festival of the Supreme Being' on June 8, 1794, Robespierre made his public debut as a leader and Convention president, expressing his passion for virtue, nature, and deist beliefs.

On June 10, 1794, a celebration in honor of the Supreme Being was held, mostly at the request of Maximilien Robespierre. This event was part of the Cult of the Supreme Being, which was declared an official religion by the National Convention.

On June 12, 1794, Robespierre accused his opponents of trying to turn the Montagnards against the government, claiming a conspiracy to discredit him, which led to his withdrawal from the committee amidst minority opposition.

Robespierre was arrested and put on trial after being denounced as a murderer by conspirators within the National Convention and the Committee of Public Safety. He returned on 26 July to defend himself but refused to name any traitors, causing chaos among the deputies.

The National Convention orders the arrests of Maximilien Robespierre, Saint-Just, Couthon, and others after they escape and seek refuge in the Hôtel de Ville.

Maximilien Robespierre, Saint-Just, and Couthon are executed, marking the end of the Reign of Terror and the beginning of the Thermidorian Reaction.

Following Robespierre's execution, his brother and allies were transported to a hospital, while the Revolutionary Tribunal sentenced others to death. The mass execution took place at the Place de la Révolution amidst a furious mob.

On 1 August 1794, the Law of 22 Prairial, which had allowed for swift trials and executions during the Reign of Terror, was abolished.

On 5 August 1794, the Law of Suspects, which allowed for the arrest of individuals based on suspicion alone, was disbanded by the Convention.

On 23 Thermidor (August 1794), Samuel Coleridge began writing the first act of The Fall of Robespierre, a work that would contribute to shaping the narrative around Robespierre's downfall.

Lenin referred to Robespierre as a 'Bolshevik avant la lettre' and erected a monument in his honor in 1918.

French historian Marc Bloch expressed disillusionment with the conflicting views on Robespierre, questioning who he really was.

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