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How Robespierre's High Ideals Led to the Reign of Terror (Part 2)

The Rest Is History

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This is part of our ongoing history of the French Revolution, the entire series can be found here: The French Revolution

Where did Maximilien Robespierre come from and what led him to rise from provincial obscurity to play a major role in the French Revolution? Why is he considered the central figure in the Reign of Terror? And how did a fastidious man opposed to violence become the chief proponent of bloodshed?

Join Tom and Dominic as they describe how Maximilien Robespierre became one of the most powerful figures of the French Revolution, and his role in initiating the Terror, which saw thousands beheaded in Paris, and butchered throughout France.

This episode is sponsored by Anthropic, the team behind Claude. Try Claude for free today at http://Claude.ai/restishistory.

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00:00 Robespierre: The Face of the Terror
04:47 The Man Who Opposed the Death Penalty
10:25 Robespierre’s Childhood
17:17 Meeting Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
20:03 The Ideas That Shaped Robespierre
26:20 Robespierre’s Rise to Power
33:20 Anthropic
34:31 France on the Brink
40:21 Robespierre’s “Omni-Conspiracy”
42:19 Couthon and Saint-Just
46:53 The Revolution’s New Constitution
49:33 Why Robespierre Embraces Terror
55:32 France Mobilises for Total War
59:26 “Let Terror Be the Order of the Day”
1:01:51 The Law of Suspects
1:04:38 Lyon Falls
1:06:04 Robespierre Turns on the Girondins
1:09:46 The Trial of the Girondins
1:12:20 Madame Roland Goes to the Guillotine
1:14:22 Marie Antoinette Is Next

Video Editor: Jack Meek, Harry Swan & Adam Thornton
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Producers: Aaliyah Akude & Tabby Syrett
Senior Producer: Callum Hill
Executive Producer: Dom Johnson
Head of Digital & Social: Sam Oakley

20 Comments

@terranmerritt 4 days ago

For those curious, @lemoncholy has a video called "Art, Fashion, & the French Revolution" which contains a BRILLIANT character study of Robespierre done by drawing different versions of him based on descriptions / historical knowledge of him throughout different points of his life. One of my favorite videos of all time and a great companion piece to this video

@joby19881 7 days ago

"This episode, and the next four episodes". Music to my ears.

@emmanuellengagne6188 7 days ago

I have to say this is one of the best episode i have ever watched.
As usual you are telling the story in a brillant way, but in this episode you are also showing and delivering a very good and a fair - which is not that often when talking about french historical figure - explanation and understanding of Robespierre's ideals and vision, without taking side, which was very difficult due to the complexity of the French Revolution...

@1980Sarah1 2 days ago

I did my history BA dissertation on Danton and Robespierre so it’s always good to revisit the subject. Your highlighting of the contradictions in Robespierre’s thoughts and deeds is very well done indeed. Good work!

@delphinidin 7 days ago

Robespierre to the jury: Screw reasonable doubt. You're supposed to decide based on vibes.

@franzfanz 7 days ago

It's a universal truth that the less people know each other, the more likely they are to be in a conspiracy together. Maximillian Robespierre (probably).

@geoffreydebrito2653 7 days ago

Re: Robespierre thinking himself superior in judgement to the average man. Holland points out that this smacks of what Marx thought.
Before Mark's there was Jefferson.
"men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties. 1. those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2dly those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them cherish and consider them as the most honest & safe, altho’ not the most wise depository of the public interests. in every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves."
Specifically, "altho’ not the most wise depository of the public interests."
Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 15, 1814.

@kevins6764 7 days ago

Excellent as always. Many thanks indeed.

@JordanHogan-u6r 7 days ago

I wrote my IB Extended Essay on Robespierre 20 years ago now! So glad you’re covering him specifically and his impact here. Can’t wait to listen to your insights

Thank you!

@JohnSmith-bp3mf 7 days ago

You guys are awesome!! Keep up the good work!

@terranmerritt 4 days ago

15:45 "why would the pigeon die" admittedly this is Hilary Mantel's take in her book A Place of Greater Safety, but probably the bird was so frightened the poor thing thrashed itself to death trying to escape the cage. I think you can understand why a sensitive child would be heartbroken by this.

@lee-o5w5y 7 days ago

Well, the Couthon explanation is my new go-to for every ailment I get from now on.

@oleksiidykan8840 1 day ago

French Revolution is my favourite playlist in Rest is History! Thanks for finally finishing it!

@eshaibraheem4218 7 days ago

Loved this. Many thanks.

@lynnschaeferle-zh4go 7 days ago

I’m Dutch and a Dutch nurse diagnosed my future at age 8 as being a “sinew sufferer” in my older years. Our idea is the damp below sea level climate worsens arthritis. (Bad back, hips & knees make walking difficult)

@shirlski 7 days ago

Absolutely brilliant

@pablolloyd1450 6 days ago

Tres magnifique as usual gentlemen!

@33NightFighter 2 days ago (edited)

So fabulously done, gentlemen! You two are just the best. Cheers from The States! I've recently been researching the Terror in the provinces: Toulon, Lyon, Marseille, Angers, etc. So lovely that AI can translate primary source documents from city archives. I hope to write a book about the lesser-known characters of the time and regions, particularly those involved in counter-revolutionary espionage, and the relationship between the persecuted clergy and their flocks.