Robespierre's Downfall
Robespierre was a French lawyer and politician who played a crucial role in the French Revolution. He was one of the leaders of the Committee of Public Safety, which was established to deal with the threats to the Revolution. However, his increasing radicalism and authoritarianism led to his downfall, and he was eventually guillotined on July 28, 1794.
Reasons for Robespierre's downfall
There were several reasons for Robespierre's downfall, including:
1. Opposition from within the Committee of Public Safety: Robespierre's increasing radicalism and authoritarianism had alienated some of his colleagues in the Committee of Public Safety. They began to see him as a threat to the Revolution and conspired to bring him down.
2. Economic problems: France was facing severe economic problems, and Robespierre's policies were not helping. His attempts to fix prices and control the market had led to shortages and inflation, which had a negative impact on the economy.
3. Fear and paranoia: Robespierre was increasingly paranoid and fearful of counter-revolutionary plots. He began to see enemies everywhere and ordered the execution of many people, including some of his former allies.
The downfall
The events that led to Robespierre's downfall are known as the Thermidorian Reaction. On July 26, 1794, Robespierre gave a speech to the National Convention in which he attacked his enemies and called for more executions. However, his speech was met with silence, and he was interrupted by other members of the Convention.
The following day, Robespierre and his allies were arrested. They were taken to the Conciergerie and imprisoned. On July 28, Robespierre and 21 of his followers were guillotined.
Conclusion
Robespierre's downfall was the result of a combination of factors, including his increasing radicalism and authoritarianism, economic problems, and fear and paranoia. His downfall marked the end of the Reign of Terror and the beginning of a period of political instability in France.