Title: What was the significance of Maximilien Robespierre in the French Revolution? - eNotes.com
Headings: What was the significance of Maximilien Robespierre in the French Revolution?
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What was the significance of Maximilien Robespierre in the French Revolution?
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Content: By threatening to extend The Terror, he frightened many of those politicians who'd previously kept their heads down to side with his most bitter enemies. The ensuing coalition made its move, and Robespierre, along with many of his comrades, ended up suffering the same fate to which he'd consigned thousands of innocent people: death by guillotine. Approved by eNotes Editorial Team
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Robespierre was the architect of the Reign of Terror in France. His name is often associated with the French Revolution. He started out representing the Third Estate, advocating for basic human rights for all - rich, poor, slave, free or otherwise. He also opposed the death penalty for many years. As France was plunged into the revolution, the King, Louis XIV, was unable to maintain control of the country. All kinds of violent things happened, including one event where 2,000 people were dragged out of prisons and killed by the mobs in order to "force" justice. The government, and Robespierre, decided that someone had to get control of the situation.