1- What were Robespierre’s key ideologies?

https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximilien_Robespierre/
(2nd book)

1789 – Often spoke up for marginalised groups such as Protestants, Jews, and slaves.
Supported the union of the 3 estates
“That man will go far: he believes everything he says” – Mirabeau

Known as “the Incorruptible” by 1790.

Aligned with the key enlightenment ideas: Liberty (Freedom from the crown), Equality (All
should be treated equally in the eyes of the government), Fraternity (People should treat
one another with respect)

Believed that the death penalty should be abolished and advocated against it to the National
Constituent Assembly in 1791.
 He later changed his mind when faced with the question of what to do with Louis
XVI. On the 3rd December 1792, he said to the National Convention:
o “Yes, the death penalty in general is a crime (...) and for this reason (...) it
may only be justified where it is required by the safety of the individual or
of the body politic (...) I pronounce this fatal truth with regret (...) but
Louis must die so that the [nation] may live.”
 He then discovered that the death penalty was a very efficient way of controlling
people and used their fear to convert them to his ideologies.
 This change in ideology enabled the reign of terror he would induce in 1794.

Robespierre and his supporters believed there was no place for a king in a republic.

Research Notes Ella Popham

 2- What groups was Robespierre part of and when?
(2nd book)
https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximilien_Robespierre/
https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/committee-of-public-safety/

Jacobins:
Elected president of the Jacobin Club on 31st March 1790
“it was no longer applause, but (...) religious enthusiasm.” – Jean-Baptiste Louvet

In June of 1791, the moderates split off from the Jacobins to form a new group that wanted
a constitutional monarchy... leaving only the extremist revolutionaries behind at
Robespierre’s command

Montagnards:
The Montagnards were the combination of the Jacobins and Cordeliers in the National
Convention

Committee of Public Safety (CPS)

The CPS was intended to function as a de facto executive cabinet, with the seats rotating
monthly, however within 6 months the CPS was dominated by radicals such as Robespierre
- By late 1973 the CPS was controlling the NC rather than the other way around.
- The CPS could make decisions without the Convention’s approval, but the
Convention had to renew this power regularly.
o “it is condemned for overseeing the machinery of the Terror and
putting in place what has often been characterised as a Jacobin
dictatorship. Whether the former required the latter lies at the heart
of the debate.”
Paul R. Hanson (Historian)

Joined the CPS on the 27th of July 1793.

Formed the Cult of the Supreme Being in 1794

Research Notes Ella Popham

 3- What legislation enabled the Terror?
https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/committee-of-public-safety/

Law of Suspects (September 1793), Law of maximum (September 1793), Law of 14 Frimaire
[Formalising Executive power to the CPS] (December 1793)

In September the CPS got the power to dispatch their enemies which sent Marie Antoinette,
Brissot, and all of the Girondins to the Guillotine.
 With the Girondin opposition out of power there was no-one to oppose
Robespierre’s and the CPS’s rule.

Research Notes Ella Popham

Bibliography:
BBC. (n.d.). Maximilien Robespierre (1758-1794). BBC -
History. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/robespierre_maximilien.shtml

Beck, E. (2022). National Assembly of the French Revolution. History

Crunch. https://www.historycrunch.com/national-assembly-of-the-french-revolution.html#/

Bouloiseau, M. (2019). Maximilien Robespierre: French

revolutionary. Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maximilien-Robespierre

History Skills. (n.d.). Maximilien Robespierre: The bloody tyrant behind the French Revolution's
'Reign of Terror'. History
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Irace, N. (n.d.). Robespierre’s Transformation and the French Revolution. Guided

History. https://blogs.bu.edu/guidedhistory/moderneurope/robespierres-transformation-and-the-
french-revolution/

Llewellyn, J., & Thompson, S. (2023). The Committee of Public Safety. Alpha
History. https://alphahistory.com/frenchrevolution/committee-of-public-safety/

Linton, M. (2021). Robespierre: Man of terror. History

Extra. https://www.historyextra.com/period/modern/robespierre-man-of-terror/

Mark, H. (2022). Estates-General of 1789. World History

Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Estates-General_of_1789/

Mark, H. (2023). Maximilien Robespierre. World History

Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/Maximilien_Robespierre/

Ross, S. (2001). The Fall of the Bastille: Revolution in France. Heinemann Library.

Ross, S. (2002). Events & Outcomes: The French Revolution. Evans Brothers Limited.

Research Notes Ella Popham