A Plagued Mind: The Justification of Violence within the Principles of Maximilien Robespierre

Kevin Lynch, Providence College

Description

A Plagued Mind: The Justification of Violence within the Principles of Maximilien Robespierre, takes a new look into the political career of the French Revolutionary Maximilien Robespierre. This work explores the reasons as to why a man who valued principles so highly would seemingly turn against them by instituting the Reign of Terror. It follows the course of Robespierre's political career from beginning to end, and explains how each action taken by Robespierre was actually not an attempt to rise to power, but rather a sincere effort to create a republican France. As the French Revolution spiraled into chaos, so to did Maximilien Robespierre. As the situation of the Revolution became more dire, Robespierre began to justify acts of increasing extremity, climaxing with the infamous Reign of Terror.