Les Ernest / Cécile Obligi : La légende noire de Robespierre

Summary

In this presentation, the speaker challenges the 'black legend' of Maximilien Robespierre, often portrayed as a bloodthirsty dictator responsible for the Reign of Terror. The speaker highlights Robespierre's advocacy for progressive causes, such as the abolition of the death penalty and universal suffrage, which are overlooked. He explains that the Committee of Public Safety, where Robespierre served, was a democratic institution and not an authoritarian regime. The speaker also questions the accuracy of common depictions of Robespierre, including myths about his role in the Vendée massacres and the dubious reconstitution of his facial features.

Takeaways

• 📖 Robespierre was an early advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, a position that contrasts sharply with his later reputation.
• 👥 He opposed the property-based voting system (suffrage censitaire), advocating for universal voting rights, including for marginalized groups like Jews and domestic workers.
• ⚖️ Robespierre’s involvement with the Committee of Public Safety is often misunderstood; the committee was not a dictatorial entity but an institution chosen by the National Assembly to manage France during a time of crisis.
• 🗳️ The Committee of Public Safety was accountable to the Assembly and could be reconstituted every 30 days, meaning Robespierre's power was not unchecked.
• 👑 Despite being a prominent figure, Robespierre did not hold dictatorial power. His decisions had to be approved by a majority of committee members, and he was subject to the Assembly's oversight.
• 📉 Robespierre's fall in July 1794 was not due to his supposed tyranny, but a coalition of moderates and extreme left revolutionaries who overthrew him, fearing he had either gone too far or not far enough in revolutionizing France.
• 🧠 Robespierre’s reputation as a 'butcher of the Vendée' lacks substantiating evidence, and is part of a larger mythos created around his role in revolutionary violence.
• 🔫 The story of Robespierre's death has been mythologized. Contrary to some claims, he didn’t act like a dictator during his final moments, attempting to defend himself before being arrested.
• 🧍 Robespierre was overthrown by a political alliance, not just for his radicalism but also because his vision was seen as outdated or no longer necessary by other factions within the revolution.
• 🗣️ The 'black legend' of Robespierre continues today, with modern myths such as the reconstruction of his supposed head being used to maintain a negative perception of him.

Q & A

Who was Maximilien Robespierre, according to the speaker?

Robespierre was a revolutionary figure who is often depicted as a bloodthirsty dictator responsible for the Reign of Terror. However, the speaker argues that this portrayal is misleading and oversimplified, and that Robespierre was a defender of democratic principles like the abolition of the death penalty and universal suffrage.

What does the speaker identify as the 'black legend' of Robespierre?

The 'black legend' of Robespierre refers to two main accusations: first, that Robespierre was a bloodthirsty dictator responsible for mass executions, and second, that he was the leader of the Committee of Public Safety, which supposedly orchestrated the Reign of Terror.

What surprising fact about Robespierre's political stances does the speaker highlight?

The speaker highlights that Robespierre was an early advocate for the abolition of the death penalty, a position that is often overlooked. Additionally, Robespierre supported universal suffrage, including voting rights for groups like Jews and servants, which was highly controversial at the time.

How does the speaker challenge the notion that Robespierre was a dictator?

The speaker explains that Robespierre was just one member of the Committee of Public Safety, which was an elected body accountable to the National Assembly. The Committee’s decisions required a majority vote, and Robespierre did not have unilateral power.

What does the speaker say about the Committee of Public Safety?

The Committee of Public Safety was not a self-proclaimed terrorist organization, but rather a commission formed by the National Assembly during a time of crisis. It was created to handle emergency measures and was regularly reviewed and re-elected every 30 days by the Assembly.

How did Robespierre's political career come to an end?

Robespierre was overthrown in July 1794 during a session of the National Assembly. His opponents orchestrated a dramatic interruption of Saint-Just’s speech, leading to a demand for Robespierre's arrest. Despite his attempts to defend himself, Robespierre was silenced and eventually guillotined.

What does the speaker say about Robespierre's influence within the revolution?

Robespierre was undoubtedly a charismatic and influential figure, having built a network of supporters, particularly through the Jacobin Club. However, he was not the only influential figure, and his influence was limited by the democratic rules of the revolutionary government.

What is the speaker's view on the portrayal of Robespierre in the documentary 'Robespierre: Bourreau de la Vendée'?

The speaker criticizes the documentary, arguing that it falsely connects Robespierre to the atrocities in the Vendée without providing any concrete evidence. The documentary is seen as part of the ongoing black legend that unfairly maligns Robespierre.

What does the speaker say about the recent reconstruction of Robespierre’s head?

The speaker is skeptical about the recent facial reconstruction of Robespierre’s head, arguing that it likely does not resemble him and that there are numerous historical inconsistencies, such as the supposed condition of his body after death and the lack of resemblance to existing portraits.

What is the speaker's overall goal in discussing the black legend of Robespierre?

The speaker aims to challenge the common misconceptions surrounding Robespierre, encouraging the audience to read his writings and speeches to understand him as a complex political thinker and advocate of democratic ideals, rather than simply a tyrant.