Robespierre's Controversy

Virtue means supporting the revolution...

Why was Robespierre thought of as the leader of the Reign of Terror?

INTRODUCITON

Throughout history Maximilien Robespierre has been viewed as a murderer and an advocate for the Reign of Terror. My exhibit explores three different credible opinions about his reputation. I enjoyed exploring the question: "Why was Robespierre thought of as the leader of the Reign of Terror?" because there is not a definitive answer. I chose this topic because Robespierre is a very important, and often misunderstood historical figure. I think it is crucial to explore history from different perspectives and reasonings. Robespierre left behind little evidence of his feelings and thoughts. He was a well-educated man, with a constant desire to achieve a successful revolution. Robespierre's obsession with achieving a new system of government and maintaining power led many experts to examine Robespierre's motives.

My three secondary sources are all credible from different historians around the world. They explore Robespierre's impact on France, and address why he was viewed as the main figure behind the terror. The primary source I chose is significant because it is a depiction of Robespierre's morality. When we think of Robespierre, the image below is usually how he is construed. However, there is also plenty of proof that Robespierre was not the main reason for terror at all. He belonged to the Jacobins and many of their followers convinced Robespierre that a Reign of Terror was necessary to control France. Historians debate Robespierre constantly, but there is no agreement.

Fig 1. 1794, Robespierre guillotining the executioner after having made Guillot.   

EVALUATION OF SOURCES

The primary source shown above dates back to 1794 most likely in Paris, France. In this image, we can see Robespierre chopping the head off of an executioner. There are many guillotine's in the background marked with different letters. The letters represent the different groups Robespierre brought before the guillotine including: The Jacobins, The Brissotins, and The Girondins. The individual who constructed this source clearly believes Robespierre is destroying the French Constitution and its people. Robespierre is standing on the Constitution of France and leaning on a tomb which has the words "Cy Gyt Toute La France", which is translated to "Here Lies France." This image portrays that Robespierre sought to destroy anyone who challenged the revolution and the people of France feared his blunt judgment.

Francis Leary, the author of "Robespierre: the Meaning of Virtue" sides with the people of France. Leary bases his arguments off of Robespierre's passion for French virtue. Leary defines virtue during the French Revolution as being devoted to the ways of the revolution. Putting the country of France before one's own self interest was very important. Leary believes that terror is always linked with Robespierre because he stated that whoever did not learn virtue in France, the "Razor of the Republic waited" (Leary). Leary explained that Robespierre was a brilliant man, he advocated for many good changes in the French government, especially the destruction of the ancien regime. According to Leary, for a whole year Robespierre awed the audience at the National Convention with his oratory skills, but after the death of Danton he lost many supporters. Leary stated that this led to an overwhelming fear and distrust between the National Convention and the Committee of Public Safety. Shortly after, Robespierre suffered his own death by guillotine when the National Convention placed him under arrest. His own death was the only beheading he ever attended.

Marisa Linton takes a different stance on Robespierre and his involvement during the Reign of Terror. The Jacobin's were looking for ideas outside the old regime so the ideology of political virtue was enticing. Political virtue meant putting the country of France above citizens own interests. Robespierre was not unique among other politicians of the era because many of them believed in political virtue as well. Linton makes the argument that politicians (other than Robespierre) sparked by the terror by declaring war, mistrusting one another, and attempting to destroy rival politicians. Acts of potential corruption and conspiracy sparked the possibility for terror 1791 and it turned politicians against each other. It was Brissot and the Girondins who first attempted to destroy their opponents by imprisoning or killing their political enemies. Other politicians followed the bold moves made by Brissot and the Girondins. Linton makes the argument that politicians (other than Robespierre) sparked the terror by declaring war, mistrusting one another, and attempting to destroy rival politicians. Linton believes that the Jacobins and other politicians at the time were more in favor of the terror than Robespierre. The Jacobins soon came to power and had to debate if supporting the terror was the correct move for France. The Jacobins considered three components before making their final decision. The first was the ideology of political virtue throughout France. This was the Jacobins (and many politicians) main goals because it created a civilization that backed the revolution. Second, the Jacobins didn't know who they could trust anymore. The human relationship component of being in power left many Jacobin leaders unable to trust other politicians and revolutionary groups. Lastly, the emotion of fear was the endpoint because the Jacobins were fearing for their lives. The Jacobins "feared a plot between political leaders and foreign powers" (Linton 288) which drove the Jacobin leaders to begin the Reign of Terror. Almost all of the Jacobin leaders supported the terror, but politicians like Danton, Desmoulins, and Robespierre wanted to show mercy instead of terror.

McPhee attempts to balance the view of Robespierre by highlighting some of his accomplishments. McPhee wrote about how brilliant and well-educated Robespierre was in politics for his time. Robespierre does not get much credit for building up the Jacobin Club which destroyed much of the old regime and eradicated the hierarchal system. Nearly single handedly, Robespierre saved the Jacobin Club during the Varennes Crisis. However, as Robespierre fell ill so did his image. McPhee also explores Robespierre's enemies which included the Girondins and much of the French public. McPhee claims that the Girondins soiled Robespierre's name by calling the terror "Robespierre's Terror" forever swaying many historians and the French people (McPhee 224). Robespierre was often compared to a cat during his reign. One of his grade school "friend" Fréron said he "has a face like a cat and his handwriting is like the scratching of a claw" (McPhee 225). This quote is important because many people viewed Robespierre (externally) as a good man, but on the inside he was a murderer. He dressed very nicely and only stood at a short 5'3. According to McPhee, citizens thought he had a more sinister inside (McPhee 221). In contrast, the Republicans at the time supported Robespierre regardless of the disapproval from the public and many other political figures (McPhee 227).

CONCLUSION

What happened during the Reign of Terror is important for understanding the evolution of the French Government. Robespierre is one of the most controversial historical figures and he continues debates today. Robespierre is understood initially as a blood thirsty madman who wants order in France. After reading these sources about his impact on France's political evolution, it becomes apparent he was not alone in supporting terror. In fact, many of Robespierre's beliefs were very popular for his time and he initially did not support terror. The sources also consider that Robespierre eventually became corrupted with power and he killed many of his allies from the beginning of the revolution. One thing is certain, Robespierre was dedicated to his image of a virtuous French civilization. Robespierre will continue to be debated well into the future and his reputation in French history will be controversial.

WORKS CITED

Linton, Marisa. Choosing Terror : Virtue, Friendship, and Authenticity in the French Revolution. Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 2013.

Leary, Francis. “Robespierre: The Meaning of Virtue.” Virginia Quarterly Review 72, no. 1(Winter 1996): 104–21.

McPhee, Peter, ed. Robespierre: A Revolutionary Life. Yale University Press, 2012. Accessed April 20, 2020. www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1np7s0.

Fig. 1. Robespierre guillotining the executioner after having made Guillot, 1 is. : etching, chisel; 23.5 x 15 cm. From: Images of the French Revolution. https://exhibits.stanford.edu/frenchrevolution/catalog/tn047jn3880 (accessed April 18th, 2020).