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Maximilien Robespierre (1758–1794) was a French lawyer, statesman, and one of the most prominent leaders during the French Revolution. Known for his role in the Reign of Terror, Robespierre was a key figure in the radical phase of the revolution, advocating for democracy, equality, and the abolition of the monarchy. His uncompromising stance on virtue and republicanism led him to wield significant power, but his policies ultimately resulted in his downfall and execution. Early Life and Education Robespierre was born on May 6, 1758, in Arras, France, into a middle-class family. After the death of his mother and his father's departure, he and his siblings were raised by their grandparents. Robespierre excelled in school and received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris, where he studied law and became deeply influenced by the works of Jean-Jacques Rousseau, particularly Rousseau’s ideas on democracy and social contract theory. Political Rise and Revolutionary Ideals Robespierre began his political career as a lawyer and was elected to the Estates-General in 1789, where he represented the Third Estate, consisting of commoners and the middle class. As the French Revolution unfolded, he emerged as a passionate advocate for universal suffrage, abolition of slavery, and social equality. He became a leader of the radical Jacobins, a political club that promoted republicanism and opposed the monarchy. By 1792, as the monarchy was overthrown, Robespierre became a member of the National Convention, and his influence grew. He strongly supported the execution of King Louis XVI and worked to establish a Republic of Virtue, where the state would promote moral righteousness and civic responsibility. The Reign of Terror Robespierre is most infamous for his role in the Reign of Terror (1793–1794), a period of extreme political repression in which thousands of perceived enemies of the revolution were executed by guillotine. As a member of the Committee of Public Safety, Robespierre believed that the revolution needed to be protected from internal and external threats, and he justified the use of terror to maintain order and ensure the revolution’s success. Under his leadership, laws were passed that enabled swift trials and executions, and anyone deemed disloyal to the revolutionary cause was at risk. He also introduced the Cult of the Supreme Being, an attempt to replace traditional religion with a form of deistic worship that aligned with revolutionary ideals. Downfall and Execution Robespierre’s increasingly authoritarian rule and his belief that only he could safeguard the revolution led to widespread fear and discontent, even among his allies. Many in the National Convention began to see him as a tyrant. On July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor in the revolutionary calendar), Robespierre was arrested, and the next day, he was executed by guillotine along with several of his close allies. Legacy Robespierre remains a highly controversial figure. He is seen by some as a champion of democracy and equality, while others view him as a dictator whose policies of terror betrayed the ideals of the revolution. His role in shaping the French Republic and his legacy as a symbol of the dangers of political extremism continue to be debated by historians.
