It is not enough to shake off the yoke of one despot if one is to fall into that of another despot ... We have to protect ourselves from the notion of an oligarchic regime which stays in power too long.
Robespierre, speech about the king, July 1791.
Robespierre, speech about the king, July 1791.
France was an absolute monarchy, ruled by King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. The wealthy nobles and clergy had the most power in France, but the regular people paid most of the taxes. France was also at war with multiple countries, which the people opposed.
The French Revolution was organized by angry citizens, and Robespierre was a popular spokesperson for them.
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The National Assembly was formed because the common people wanted more power and more rights, but their votes in the Estates-General did not count for much. In June 1790, Robespierre was elected Secretary. This gave him a lot of power and allowed him to influence the direction of the new republic. He began to use his power to push for his ideals about purity and virtue.
ROBESPIERRE'S POLITICAL POSITIONS
As a politician, Robespierre supported many positions that supported vulnerable groups. For example, he stood for universal suffrage, and opposed racial and religious discrimination. He also wanted everyone to have the right to serve in public office and in the national guard.
When the revolutionaries stormed the king and queen’s palace, they imprisoned them and elected Robespierre to be the leader of France. The King and Queen were tried and executed in 1792.
The French Revolution was organized by angry citizens, and Robespierre was a popular spokesperson for them.
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
The National Assembly was formed because the common people wanted more power and more rights, but their votes in the Estates-General did not count for much. In June 1790, Robespierre was elected Secretary. This gave him a lot of power and allowed him to influence the direction of the new republic. He began to use his power to push for his ideals about purity and virtue.
ROBESPIERRE'S POLITICAL POSITIONS
As a politician, Robespierre supported many positions that supported vulnerable groups. For example, he stood for universal suffrage, and opposed racial and religious discrimination. He also wanted everyone to have the right to serve in public office and in the national guard.
When the revolutionaries stormed the king and queen’s palace, they imprisoned them and elected Robespierre to be the leader of France. The King and Queen were tried and executed in 1792.