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Why did the National Convention order Maximilien Robespierreās arrest on 9 Thermidor?
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Maximilien Robespierre
One of the leading figures of the French Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre.
The National Convention ordered the arrest of Maximilien Robespierre on 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794) as the culmination of a parliamentary revolt known as the Thermidorian Reaction.12
Several factors drove this decision:
- Growing Opposition: By the summer of 1794, France had grown weary of the Reign of Terror and its mounting executions. Within the government, Robespierre faced increasing hostility from members of the Committee of Public Safety and the Committee of General Security, who felt marginalized by his influence.13
- Fear of Dictatorship: Many deputies feared Robespierreās unchecked power and were alarmed by accusations that he was acting as a dictator.34
- Political Isolation: Robespierre had become increasingly isolated after withdrawing from public duties due to poor health and frustration with his colleagues. When he returned to the National Convention on 8 Thermidor to deliver a speech filled with threats against his perceived enemies, the parliamentary majority turned against him.31
On 9 Thermidor, his adversaries successfully prevented him from speaking, leading the Convention to decree his arrest and effectively ending his control over the revolutionary government.31