Robespierre's Brief Triumph

On May 5th, 1789 the citizens of France officially had officially started to completely rebel. During this period, French citizens redesigned their country’s political structure, uprooting centuries-old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system. But that is not what I am going to completely talk about. I am going to talk about the head of the snake. The man behind the executions and new order. Maximilien Robespierre was born in Arras on May 6, 1758, and was the son of a lawyer. He was educated in Paris and entered the same profession as his father. He was elected as a deputy of the estates-general (a form of parliament). Robespierre became increasingly popular for his attacks on the monarchy and his support of democracy. Then he started to organize rallies and demonstrations that shamed the monarchy and insulted its fundamentals.

            May 5, 1789, would be the day that not only changed his life but every French person alive and to comb. The people of France heard that King Louie the 16th and his spouse Queen Marie Antoinette did not care about their people. There is a popular belief that Marie said (when describing the poor people of France’s hunger) “let them eat cake.” While these exact words were not stated, she implied that she simply did not care whether the common folk of France starved, or not. Upon hearing this, a herd of French commoners, (who were furious), came swarming down to the palace of Versailles. The heard started throwing bricks at the palace. The herd then captured all the nobles and monarchs of France. This was known as the Reign Of Terror.

         
          Robespierre had heard of the invention of the guillotine. A weapon that decapitated the victim, using a rope and a large blade. Robespierre decided to use it to kill all the nobles and monarchs.

After the downfall of the monarchy in August 1792, Robespierre was elected the first deputy for Paris to the National Convention. The convention abolished the monarchy, declared France a republic and put the king on trial for treason. All these measures were strongly supported by Robespierre. This set of laws, Among other things, states that all leaders of France must be elected under a fair election. The king was executed in January 1793.

           In May 1794, Robespierre insisted that the National Convention create an official religion for France - the cult of the Supreme Being. This was based on the thinking of the philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau of whom Robespierre new well.

         
           The intensification of the 'Reign of Terror' and Robespierre's autocracy made him increasingly unpopular. French military successes served to undermine the justification for such ruthlessness and a conspiracy was formed to overthrow Robespierre. On July 27, 1794, Robespierre was arrested after a struggle. The following day Robespierre, wounded from a bullet to the jaw, and twenty-one of his closest supporters were executed at the guillotine.

           While Robespierre was ruthless, risky, and corrupt, you can't argue that Maximilien Robespierre is the reason for the modern day Republic of France. His accomplishments will live throughout time.