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Maximilien's Birth
Maximilien Robespierre was born on May 6, 1758 in Arras, France. He was the oldeest of four children. His mother died when he was six years old and his father left the family soon after. Maximilien and his siblings were raised by their grandparents.
This was significant because this was when Maximilien entered the world and he would go on to become a big part of the French Revolution. -
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Maximilien's Life
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Earthquake in Palestine
On Oct 31, 1759, there was a huge Earthquake in Palestine which killed a lot of people. No one had ever seen an earthquake that big in the area. Half of population of Palestine wiped out.
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Great Fire of Boston
On March 20, 1760, a huge fire broke out in Boston, leaving 349 buildings destroyed and many dead. This took a huge toll on the American revolution as one of their main cities was almost burned down.
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Native Americans Surrender to British
On November 16, 1764, The British go to War with the Native Americans on the New World. They end up surrendering to them. The is also known as the Pontiac War.
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Stamp Act is passed
On March 22, 1765, the Stamp Act is passed onto the Americans on the New World. This is also the first direct taxation of the colonists. This wasn't a tax they'd rebelled against, however.
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Stamp Act Repealled
On March 17, 1766, the Americans were horrified that they were being taxed by their former kingdom. They rebelled against this tax and later it was repealled by the British government.
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Samuel Adams Spreads Propaganda
On February 11, 1768, Samuel Adams sends a letter across the colonies urging people to protest against the new tax, the Townshed Act. This results in a huge uproar, the British have taxed them yet again.
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Robespierre is educated.
In 1781, Maximilien, even though starting off rough with his life, lives on to recieve a law degree from Lcyee Louis-le-Grand. He had gotten a job back in his hometown, Arras and recieved a good income.
This is significant because this education would give him the skills to hold the position of leader of the Jacobin Society. (biography.com) -
Gains Reputation
In 1781 he becomes a devotee of a philosopher that stood against the French Monarchy. As for his acts, he is seen and given credit for defending the poor and was nicknamed "the incorruptible" for the application of stict moral values to his life.
This is significant because he begins to gain support from the people which would later help him achieve even greater power.
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Began to gain even more social and political standing.
"He became increasingly popular with the people for his attacks on the French monarchy and his advocacy for democratic reforms." (biography.com). He was against the use of the death penalty and also disagreed with slavery. However some of his friends didn't believe in him, so he left government issues and began to pursue his real goal.
This was significant because he was now going to focus on the revolution at hand. He would later become president of the Jacobin Faction.
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Robespierre becomes President of Jacobin Faction
In 1789, he becomes president of the powerful Jacobin Faction. He also took part in the writing of the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.", which would later evolve into the French Constitution.
This is significant because he'd not only become part of a very powerful political group, he'd taken part in the writing of a very important document leading to the fall of monarchy in France.
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Robespierre has the king executed.
In 1790, "Robespierre took up the position of head of the Paris delegation to the New National Convention" (biography.com). Robespierre took part in arguing for the execution of the king and succeeded. He also began to arouse people and make them rise up against aristocracy.
This was significant because there was now no more king so people had to rise up and take the position. Aristocracy and monarchy fell.
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Robespierre moves up the ranks.
On July 27, 1793, Robespierre takes up a position in the Commitee of Public Safety which formed to get the country under dictorial control. They also instituted the Reign of Terror, which was a huge part of the French Revolution.
The significance of this is that Robespierre has joined the decision making party of government and is now about to implement a turning point in the French Revolution.
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The Reign Of Terror
In September, 1793, Robespierre and his organization were faced with pressure from outside and inside the revolution. They were forced to bring out the Reign of Terror which, in that time, 300,000 suspected enemies of the Revolution were arrested and about 17,000 gullotined. Robespierre, during this process, was able to get rid of his political rivals. -
Robespierre began to abuse his power.
In 1794, Robespierre seemed to be going a bit insane with all the power he had. He was still killing people even though most of the Revolution's enemies had been wiped out.
This is significant because these questionable acts would ultimately lead to his death.
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Maximilien's Death
On July 27, 1794, Maximilien and his remaining followers were arrested, he escaped and tried (and failed) to commit suicide after learning society had rejected him. He was seized again during a night raid and brought to the gullotine along with his followers.
This was significant because this was the end of Robespierre. He had played a huge part in the French Revolution and was respected for most of his life.
(McPhee 275)
