Question

(History question). Discuss the role played by Maximilian Robespierre during the French Revolution.

Answer 1

Robespierre was France's Reign of Terror architect. His name is often linked to the French Revolution.
He began to represent the Third Estate, advocating for fundamental human rights for all-wealthy, poor, slave, free or otherwise. For many years, he also opposed the death penalty. The King, Louis XIV, was unable to keep control of the nation as France was plunged into the revolution. All sorts of violent stuff occurred, including one case that dragged 2,000 individuals out of prisons and murdered by mobs to "force" justice.

The government, and Robespierre, decided that the scenario had to be controlled by somebody. The alternative was to bring matters into their own hands, they believed. This has resulted to the government's violence. Louis XIV was executed and the Reign of Terror started. Many who opposed the revolution were executed, as were many who likely posed no danger whatsoever but were suspected or even linked with those who did so very loosely. In all, during this moment around 16,500 individuals were executed in France.

For his impact on the Reign of Terror, Robespierre is remembered because he so heavily championed the right of the government to execute those who were opposed. While still opposed to the death penalty (go figure!), he thought the means were justified by the ends. In other words, it took those who were unbalancing stuff to execute the establishment of a stable France.

Maximilien Robespierre is often the person most associated with the French Revolution, although in the events of the French Revolution there were many important movers and shakers. During the period known as "The Reign of Terror," his philosophy and actions represented how far a revolution could go, replacing the King's tyranny with the Committee of Public Safety's tyranny.

It was Robespierre who argued that for offenses against France and her citizens, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, among others, should be executed. He went to dominate the committee and set out to purge as enemies of the new France all competing aspects of the revolutionary factions. In The Terror, tens of thousands of individuals died, and Robespierre in his sentencing was especially brutal and merciless.
It was inevitable that his competitors would ultimately arrest and execute himself, and that his name would become synonymous with the French Revolution.