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Maximilien de Robespierre, a Unconventional Hero.

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Maximilien de Robespierre, a Unconventional Hero.
Maximilien De Robespierre was a very complex revolutionary political leader who greatly influenced the French Revolution. Although he was a left-wing bourgeoisie inspired by Enlightenment principles and philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Montesquieu, many considered his actions a “Reign of Terror”. I feel that by definition he was more of a hero than tyrant. No matter what people thought of him they cannot deny the results or influence Maximilien De Robespierre had on France and the French Revolution.

Maximilien De Robespierre was known as “The Incorruptible” to his allies and the “Dictateur Sanguinaire” (blood thirsty dictator) to his foes. Robespierre was an inspirational speaker and managed to accomplish quite a lot in his political career. Robespierre a highly educated lawyer/politician had dedicated his career and life to try and make society more equal. His career started with being elected as a judge by the bishop but he turned it down to be the Deputy of Estates General, and then in May 1789 he served in the National Assembly. Robespierre gained recognition through confronting the establishment of martial law in October, 1789. He argued for universal suffrage, Equality; which included the banishment of slavery and a change of establishment to a republic one. In 1790 the people elected Robespierre to be the president of the very powerful revolutionary Jacobin Political Party. This meant he could now push his enlightenment Principles in a real position of decision making. He was in favour of universal suffrage, limiting terms of politicians and opposed the death penalty. Robespierre expressed his distrust in France going to war with Austria and feared a military coup d’état lead by the Marquis de Lafayette a foe of Robespierre, thinking these events would later result in a military dictatorship. With all the chaos the monarchy finally failed and Robespierre was then elected to the position of first deputy for Paris to the National

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