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Maximilien Robespierre's Life
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre was one of the most influential figures of the French Revolution. He was born on May 6th, 1758, and was sent to the guillotine by former allies on July 28th, 1794. -
Robespierre's Mother's Death
When Robespierre was 6 years old, his mother died, and his father left the family soon after. Maximilien and his four siblings were raised by their grandparents. -
Law Degree
In 1781, Robespierre received a degree in law from the Lycée Louis-le-Grand. He practiced law in Arras and lived comfortably with a steady income. -
Estates-General
When he was 30 years old, Robespierre was elected into the Estates-General. He had recently gained popularity, and was commonly known as "the Incorruptible". He advocated for democratic reforms and opposed the death penalty and slavery. -
President of the Jacobin Political Faction
Robespierre was elected the president of the Jacobin Political Faction in April 1789. in 1790, he helped to write the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. -
Leader of the Mountain Party
In 1792, Robespierre became the leader of the Montagnards, or Mountain Party. They were the most radical political group. Robespierre voted to have the king executed and attacked moderate parties. -
Tried to Overthrow the Girondists
Robespierre attacked the policies of the Gironde, and tried to overthrow the Girondists. This caused a riot to break out in Paris, beginning the Reign of Terror. -
Leader of the Committee of Public Safety
In July 1793, Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety. He lead as a dictator for the next year. This time was called the Reign of Terror. The Committee of Public safety was supposed to protect the Revolution from their enemies, yet under Robespierre's rule, these enemies were tried and sent to the guillotine in a matter of hours. -
Republic of Virtue
As Robespierre rose to power, he and his supporters set out to establish a "republic of virtue". They wiped out any trace of France's past, including creating a new calendar. This calendar consisted of 12 months of 30 days each, with new names for each month and no Sundays. They even closed all churches in Paris. -
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Reign of Terror
Robespierre was the head of the Committee of Public Safety, and believed that the only way to achieve his goals of equality was "one will". The Committee sent anyone considered a "suspect" to the guillotine. By 1794, Robespierre was almost in control of the Revolution. A group of his former allies realized they could be eliminated next, so they conspired against him. He was arrested and sent to the guillotine, ending the Reign of Terror. -
Georges Danton
Many of the "enemies" of the Revolution were simply less radical than Robespierre. Georges Danton was deemed one of those enemies, and his friends in the National Convention were too afraid to defend him. Instead, they joined in on condemning him. -
the Convention on 9th Thermidor
Former allies of Robespierre conspired against him after finding out they would be next to the guillotine. At a session of the convention, violence broke out, and Robespierre failed to regain control. He resisted arrest and was shot. His brother tried to jump out a window but they were both sent to the guillotine the next day.