2.What factors led to Robespierre becoming a dictator?
http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/kropotkin/frenchrev/lxvi.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilien_de_Robespierre
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2.What factors led to Robespierre becoming a dictator? Robespierre became dictator out of many reasons. He wasn't suppose to become a dictator it just happened. Louis and his wife caused so much damage to their people. Their people were left with nothing. Robespierre became leader because he was great at making speeches and always impressed! He was one of the Jacobin leaders and was well known.He was able to wipe out all of Frances past.
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To understand the factors that led to Maximilien Robespierre becoming a dictator during the French Revolution, we need to examine the historical context and circumstances of the time. Robespierre's rise to power and subsequent transformation into a dictator can be attributed to several key factors:
1. Radicalization of the Revolution: The French Revolution began in 1789 with the aim of establishing a constitutional monarchy and political reforms. However, as the revolution progressed, it became increasingly radical, driven by the rise of revolutionary factions such as the Jacobins. Robespierre, a prominent Jacobin leader, advocated for more radical measures and played an influential role in the Committee of Public Safety, an executive committee during the later years of the revolution.
2. The Reign of Terror: As France faced external and internal threats, such as foreign invasion and counter-revolutionary uprisings, Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety took drastic measures to protect the Revolution. The period known as the Reign of Terror (1793-1794) emerged, during which thousands of people were executed by the guillotine, and the country was put under intense surveillance. Robespierre believed that the radical measures were necessary to safeguard the Revolution from its enemies.
3. Consolidation of Power: Robespierre's influence grew rapidly during the Reign of Terror. He implemented policies and reforms that aimed to create a new political and social order. His emphasis on Virtue and the promotion of civic nationalism made him increasingly popular with the masses. Institutions, such as the Law of 22 Prairial, were established to expedite trials and suppress counter-revolutionary elements. Robespierre's position within the Committee of Public Safety allowed him to control important decisions, making him a de facto dictator.
4. Cult of the Supreme Being: Robespierre promoted the Cult of the Supreme Being, essentially creating a civil religion and using it as a tool to unify the nation. This cult aimed to replace traditional Catholicism and provide a new source of authority. However, in practice, it further concentrated power in Robespierre's hands, as he became the primary interpreter and enforcer of the new religion.
5. Political Purges: Robespierre, driven by a belief in the Revolutionary Virtue, sought to purge France of anyone he deemed disloyal or counter-revolutionary. This led to mass arrests, trials, and executions, with many notable figures falling victim, including former allies turned adversaries. The constant fear and paranoia created by the purges further enhanced Robespierre's power and control.
In summary, Robespierre's path to dictatorship can be traced to the radicalization of the Revolution, the emergence of the Reign of Terror, his consolidation of power within the Committee of Public Safety, the promotion of the Cult of the Supreme Being, and the extensive political purges carried out under his authority.