Title: Maximilien de Robespierre Biography - life, family, death, history, mother, information, born, time
Headings: Maximilien de Robespierre Biography
Maximilien de Robespierre Biography
Early life
Role in early revolution
Period in power
Downfall and execution
For More Information

Content: As a spokesman for the Jacobins in the National Convention,  he was a harsh critic of the king, who was finally placed on trial,  convicted, and executed in January 1793. In the months that followed  Robespierre turned his anger on a group of moderates (those who prefer  less abrupt change) called the Girondins, leading the effort to have  their members removed from the convention, arrested, and executed. In July 1793 Robespierre was elected to the Committee of Public Safety,  which acted to protect the republic during the dual problems of foreign  war (most of Europe was fighting against the Revolutionary government in  France) and civil war (which threatened to bring down that government). It executed people who were suspected of supporting the king or making  plans to take over the government. Thousands were put to death with a  quick trial or no trial at all. This became known as the Reign of  Terror. Robespierre faced increased opposition on both sides. Included among  these were the Hébertists, a group that controlled the Paris city  government and was upset with wartime shortages and increased prices,  and the Indulgents, moderate Jacobins who felt that the Reign of Terror  should be relaxed since the war had ended. Robespierre had leaders of both groups rounded  up and executed, including Georges Jacques Danton (1759–1794),  who had once been a close associate of his. Robespierre and his  supporters claimed that they wanted to create a Republic of Virtue in  which citizens would live honest, moral lives and serve the community.