The Downfall of Maximilien Robespierre
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Did Robespierre’s Love of the Revolution Cause His Immense Paranoia, Corrupt His Belief System and Eventually Lead to His Execution?
Extended Essay
Name: Nicola Watson Date: 9th January, 2008 Word Count: 3483
Abstract
Maximilien Robespierre was well known as the protector of the French Revolution. He would stop at nothing in order to keep it alive. As he continuously gained power, and influence over the people of France, he became increasingly paranoid. In fear of danger to the Revolution, Robespierre used extreme scare tactics, and called for the executions of many people, including some of his friends and colleagues, many citizens began to worry if they might be the next victim of Robespierre’s executions. This brings about the question, was the execution of Robespierre caused by his paranoia? The severe paranoia which Robespierre developed seemed to have been brought about by his original passion for the Revolution. This led to an obsession with maintaining power in order to protect it. To decide this, an analysis of his speeches such as The Philosophy of Terror, and his address to the Constituent Assembly in regards to the death penalty have been conducted. In addition, an assessment of the events such as the creation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the execution of Danton, the Festival of the Supreme Being, and the last time he addressed the National Convention, has also been conducted. In reviewing a numerous sources, it must be concluded that the severe paranoia caused by his great love for the Revolution, drove him mad, and, led to his execution by his peers.
Did Robespierre’s Love of the Revolution Cause His Immense Paranoia, Corrupt His Belief System and Eventually Lead to His Execution?
Extended Essay
Name: Nicola Watson Date: 9th January, 2008 Word Count: 3483
Abstract
Maximilien Robespierre was well known as the protector of the French Revolution. He would stop at nothing in order to keep it alive. As he continuously gained power, and influence over the people of France, he became increasingly paranoid. In fear of danger to the Revolution, Robespierre used extreme scare tactics, and called for the executions of many people, including some of his friends and colleagues, many citizens began to worry if they might be the next victim of Robespierre’s executions. This brings about the question, was the execution of Robespierre caused by his paranoia? The severe paranoia which Robespierre developed seemed to have been brought about by his original passion for the Revolution. This led to an obsession with maintaining power in order to protect it. To decide this, an analysis of his speeches such as The Philosophy of Terror, and his address to the Constituent Assembly in regards to the death penalty have been conducted. In addition, an assessment of the events such as the creation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, the execution of Danton, the Festival of the Supreme Being, and the last time he addressed the National Convention, has also been conducted. In reviewing a numerous sources, it must be concluded that the severe paranoia caused by his great love for the Revolution, drove him mad, and, led to his execution by his peers.
Bibliography: Bienvenu, Richard. The Ninth of Thermidor. United States. Oxford University Press, Inc., Oxford University Press, Inc., 1970. Connolly, Sean. Witness to History: The French Revolution. United States. Reed Elsevier Inc., 2003. Doyle, William. The Oxford History Of The French Revolution. United States. Oxford University Press Inc., 1989. Furet, François. Ozouf, Mona. Goldhammer, Arthur. A Critical Dictionary of the French Revolution. United States. Havard University Press. 1989. Kreis, Steven. Maximilien Robespierre 1758-1794. The History Guide: Lectures on Modern European Intellectual History. 30 March, 2005. 13 June 2008. . Murphy, Gerald. Declaration of the Rights of Man 1789. The Avalon Project. 2007. Yale Law School. 13 June 2008. Robespierre, Maximilien Schama, Simon. Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. United States. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1989. The French Revolution. Dir. Doug Schultz. Perf. George Ivascu, Phillip Levine (II). The History Channel. 2005.