Is Robespierre: Good or Bad?
...thought would cement the Revolution. Though it may be hard to believe, Robespierre was a true hero to some individuals. He was “defender of the rights of the poor,” and the leader of the Revolution through a time of crisis when it could have been overpowered. Robespierre defended poor people as much as he could; before he was a revolutionary leader he was a lawyer that shielded destitute individuals. He supported the abolition of slavery and, almost ironically, the death penalty. The Terror was just a way to help the people to a better France, a France without criminals or inequality. “The Revolution’s outstanding leader, at every stage of it’s most creative years, and the first champion of democracy and the people’s rights. This is his main claim to fame”, George Rude. Yet, to many Robespierre was a villain. Robespierre was, for five years, a leading figure of the Revolution, during this time he gained a lot of power. He chose to use this abundance of power to murder thousands of innocent victims and to put all of France in a state of fear. “Robespierre is extremely touchy and suspicious. He sees plot and treason everywhere. He is intolerant of opposition. He never admits mistakes”, Jerome Petion. Being suspected of treason was enough to be sentenced to the guillotine. Forty thousand men, women and children were killed during the terror. Robespierre wanted more power from the extension of the government’s emergency power; though his opponents felt that the emergencies were over. Robespierre was, eventually, deserted by his supporters and was arrested and killed by the guillotine (the same death as his foes), based on being a tyrant. Robespierre was a villain ...