Evaluate the reasons for the fall of Robespierre/ the
Thermidorian reaction
1. Lack of support/fear of Robespierre – most important
Robespierre portrayed by deputies in the National Convention as an
egomaniac, a fanatic and a sanguinocrat (ruler by violence)
Conspirators portrayed the toppling of Robespierre ‘as a classic
tragedy, out of which would emerge a fairer form of things’
Gregory Dart
‘Incorruptible One’ had always divided opinion and drawn
contradictory reactions, both among deputies and in the public
o Robespierre was an admirable figure but hardly a charismatic
or engaging one
o Derived his social pleasures from revolutionary politics rather
than society itself
o Had never married or taken a lover cold, aloof, guarded,
and humourless
o Had a small circle of allies
“All it took was for the conventionnels to regard their voice and
Robespierre, deprived of the support of those who had carried him
in triumph three years earlier, suddenly appeared terribly vulnerable
and defenceless. His error was to have believed that time was on his
side… He had allowed his enemies time to regroup.” Patrice
Gueniffey
2. Deradicalisation of the Revolution – not most important
People wanted to get rid of price controls that Robespierre
introduced to appease the sans-culottes
Want free trade, but don’t want fixed prices or wages
Wanted to remove the government measures
Led to a drop in the value of the assignat and massive inflation
After Robespierre's fall, the Thermidorian Reaction led to a "brutal
retaliation against Jacobinism and a return to moderate political
ideas", suggesting the desire to deradicalize the Revolution.
Not most important:
Alliance of deputies was neither ideological nor factional they
shared no vision for the nation except to purge it of Robespierre
Some of conspirators did not wish to end the Terror, only to remove
it from Robespierre’s hands
3. Actions of Robespierre himself
Festival of the Supreme Being delivered a speech that was long-
winded and self-indulgent
Thermidorian reaction
1. Lack of support/fear of Robespierre – most important
Robespierre portrayed by deputies in the National Convention as an
egomaniac, a fanatic and a sanguinocrat (ruler by violence)
Conspirators portrayed the toppling of Robespierre ‘as a classic
tragedy, out of which would emerge a fairer form of things’
Gregory Dart
‘Incorruptible One’ had always divided opinion and drawn
contradictory reactions, both among deputies and in the public
o Robespierre was an admirable figure but hardly a charismatic
or engaging one
o Derived his social pleasures from revolutionary politics rather
than society itself
o Had never married or taken a lover cold, aloof, guarded,
and humourless
o Had a small circle of allies
“All it took was for the conventionnels to regard their voice and
Robespierre, deprived of the support of those who had carried him
in triumph three years earlier, suddenly appeared terribly vulnerable
and defenceless. His error was to have believed that time was on his
side… He had allowed his enemies time to regroup.” Patrice
Gueniffey
2. Deradicalisation of the Revolution – not most important
People wanted to get rid of price controls that Robespierre
introduced to appease the sans-culottes
Want free trade, but don’t want fixed prices or wages
Wanted to remove the government measures
Led to a drop in the value of the assignat and massive inflation
After Robespierre's fall, the Thermidorian Reaction led to a "brutal
retaliation against Jacobinism and a return to moderate political
ideas", suggesting the desire to deradicalize the Revolution.
Not most important:
Alliance of deputies was neither ideological nor factional they
shared no vision for the nation except to purge it of Robespierre
Some of conspirators did not wish to end the Terror, only to remove
it from Robespierre’s hands
3. Actions of Robespierre himself
Festival of the Supreme Being delivered a speech that was long-
winded and self-indulgent
