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Birth
Maxmillien Francois Marie Isidore de Robespierre was born on May 6th, 1785 in the French town of Arras. After his mother's death when he was six years old, his father soon left the family. He and his three younger siblings were then raised by his grandparents. Later in life, Robespierre would become one of the most influential revolutionaries in the uprising against the monarchy, or otherwise known as the French Revolution. (Biography.com) -
The Great Boston Fire of 1760
On March 20th of 1760, The Great Boston Fire of 1760 broke loose in the city of Boston. Starting in a warehouse, the fire soon spread across the city, in the end destroying 349 buildings. This was one of the worst and most costly fire related disasters in colonial America, leaving over one thousand people homeless. (Onthisday.com) -
The Beginning of the Seven Years War
In 1762, the Seven Years war officially began when Britain declares war on Spain and Naples. The conflict involved almost every great European power, and affected many countries even outside of Europe. This war caused a massive change in the balance of power, with Britain now on top as the world's leading nation in power instead of France. (Onthisday.com) -
The Dawn of the American Revolution
On September 3rd, 1783 the long conflict that had been brewing between Britain and the colonies finally exploded into a full out war. The colonies wanted independence, and were willing to fight for it. Led by George Washington, the Continental Army fought against the British forces in many fierce battles, the colonists being aided by the Native Americans. (Onthisday.com) -
The Beginning of Slavery's Decline
On March 1st, 1780, Pennsylvania brought an end to the law that allowed children to be born into slavery. Now children of slaves were born free, and had a chance at life outside of their parents' overseer's plantation. This is significant because it was one of the first abolitionist government statements made in the United States, where for the past years slavery was hereditary, you were born into it without a choice. (Onthisday.com) -
Education
Robespierre graduated from Lycee Louis-le-Grand with a degree of law in 1781. He then took up career in his hometown, practicing law and earning good pay. In Arras, he advocated for the modification of the government in favor of the poor and for social justice similar to the Enlightenment thinker Jean-Jaques Rousseau. This made him very popular among the Third Estate, or the working class of France. (Biography.com) -
The End of a Revolution
In 1783, the Treaty of Paris officially ended the American Revolution against British rule. The colonies were now their own nation, The United States of America. Losing the colonies greatly weakened Britain, as well as made it even harder for them to pay off their war debt. Due to it's weakened state, Spain took up the opportunity and also claimed Britain's Florida colonies. Nearly all of Britain's territory in North America was gone. (Onthisday.com) -
Shays' Rebellion Against Taxes
In January of 1787, Massachusetts farmers had become sick of high taxes that were causing them to fall into debt and lose their farms, so they decided to rebel. Lead by Daniel Shays, thousands of farmers attempted to storm an armory in Springfield. This is significant because it was the first major internal conflict in the newly formed nation. In order to prevent another rebellion, many essential reforms to the government were made that otherwise could've remained unchanged. (Onthisday.com) -
Delegate in the National Assembly
In 1788, Robespierre was elected by the people to participate in the country's legislature, the National Assembly. He left Arras to a new life in the capital city of Paris, where the center of the government was. In the National Assembly, he expressed strong democratic views, being against slavery and the death penalty as well as advocating for civil rights, equality, and social justice like he had done in Arras. (Biography.com) -
President of the Jacobin
In April 1789, the members of the Jacobin political faction elected Maxmillien Robespierre as their president. The Jacobins were the radicals of the National Assembly, who called for many of the things that Robespierre spoke of. This enabled him to gain a large amount of loyal followers who idolized him for his radical views and high amount of personal morality. (Biography.com) -
The Writing of A Declaration
Robespierre contributed to the writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen in August of 1789. This document declared the rights of the French people, which included freedom of the press, speech, and religion. All of the ideas and values of the revolution were in this document, so it was very important. When his term as a legislator ended in 1791, Robespierre remained in Paris with the Jacobins, still advocating his radical political views. (Biography.com) -
Head of the New National Convention
After the overthrow of Louis XVI, Robespierre was elected to head the new National Convention legislature of France. In 1792, the country had begun to desire a republic instead of a constitutional monarchy. Having been calling for this for years, Robespierre and the Jacobins were supported by the people and given the right to have power. A few months later in that same year he argued for the execution of the king, which also went in his favor, sending Louis XIV to the guillotine. (Biography.com) -
The Committee of Public Safety
The National Convention also died with the former king, leading to the creation of a new legislature called the Committee of Public Safety. The purpose of this new government was mostly to protect against foreign attacks and internal rebellion, which were both feared greatly by the French people. After being elected in on July 27th, 1793, Robespierre was soon able to gain control of the legislature and rule with dictator-like power, enforcing his radical reforms. (Biography.com) -
The Reign of Terror Begins
In September of 1793, the Committee of Public Safety instituted the Reign of Terror. Now in complete support of the death penalty, Robespierre sent thousands to scaffolds with a flick of his pen. The French people lived in fear of his hold on the country. Seemingly becoming obsessed with this new power over life and death, Robespierre began sending more and more to the guillotine. Eventually even fellow politicians who were his rivals were executed as punishment for their ideas. (Biography.com) -
Rebellion Against a Tyrant
Eventually, the people had enough of Robespierre's rule. On July 27th, 1794 he and many of followers were arrested and jailed. However, a kind jailer later helped him escape and hide in the city hall. When he received word of his new status, an outcast, Robespierre attempted to end his own life to escape the fate he knew was coming. But he failed, and only ended up with a shattered jaw bone from an indirect musket ball shot. (Biography.com) -
Death
Having failed at his suicide attempt, Robespierre was found the next day and was soon marked for execution along with his followers. Not even able to speak from his shattered jaw, Maxmillien Robespierre was lead right up to the very machine he had found such joy in sending people to. On July 28th, 1794, Maxmillien de Robespierre was executed by the guillotine, bringing an end to the Reign of Terror in France. (Biography.com)
