Robespierre - Architect of Terror Documentary

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"Discovery Hit" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Epic Unease" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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"Evening Melodrama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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The Advent Chamber Orchestra with David Parry and Roxana Pavel Goldstein (violins) / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
The Advent Chamber Orchestra Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
The Advent Chamber Orchestra Johann Sebastian Bach / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Advent Chamber Orchestra with Matthew Ganong on harpsichord / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Advent Chamber Orchestra with Stephen Balderston on cello / CC BY-SA (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
#Biography #History #Documentary

[@PeopleProfiles]

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[@juliocorrea1745]

.m

[@johannesbrahms7414]

Maximilien Robespierre had quite good ideas in the early stages of his "Psychological Leadership". Then, ideas of assuring, enforcing, "Civilization Through Force, Violence, and, Cruelty, with a new, total---- trivialuzation---- of Human Dignity, were one by one born in him leading him into the Grand Root Mistake of his first "try" at, Leadership---- He stopped believing in the people---- in Humanity Itself!!!! Firstly, he began doubting that the people had the, intelligence, to see his point of view, and then, he stopped believing that the people had any inner values of their own, thus, in need of rough, violent, cruel, treatment, just to maintain the basic, minimal, functioning of a State! He showed himself inca- pable of, even seeing, his huge error---- any "socio-economically low" person throughout France was, intelligent, enough to see this and, actually, have been able to run the goverment and the Eco- nomy, with at least a "Passing "D" mark!!!! Instead, he allowed himself to fall, deeply, into the "destructive arms" of total Denial, and then, further fleeing to, and then, falling into the Cosmically crushing arms of Self-justification, at any cost, having created, for the Peolpe, only---- TOTAL. AMMORALITY!!!!!!!!

[@josepanicucci8591]

The death penalty in France was abolished in 1975 NOT TRUE that Robespierre was the last victim of the guillotine

[@kathyschreiber9947]

In retrospect, Robespierre seems like a true revolutionary who had great ideas, energy and hopes for his country, but in the end he became paranoid, suspicious, power hungry and threatened. He's got a lot of similarities to Mao, Lenin and Castro. Also, I'm realizing that most of the vocabulary of later revolutions - enemy of the people, antirevolutionary, death to tyrants, etc., came from the French revolution. Thanks for a great documentary.

[@kiwitrainguy]

You left out Stalin.

[@dimkk605]

I don't think he was power hungry at all. I think he was profoundly obsessive. He truly believed in his principles and was terrified by the idea of a failed Revolution. I think he was too anal. His personality was too inflexible. You can easily spot some common traits of OCD personality (like the Roberspierre's one) among high-principled people (every day life people or great figures in History), regardless the nature of their principles. His tragedy was that the very traits who sparkled the Revolution were the ones who led to his own execution. German mind trapped in a French body. LOL

[@vivien2088]

@@kiwitrainguy nah.... Stalin never had good intentions...he was determined to be a dictator with all the power accruing to him under the thin guise of communism

[@conzmoleman]

Mao Lenin and Castro were all profoundly moral human beings who did more to improve the lives of their citizens than any american president ever dreamed of. Of course that’s really easy to do since most american presidents oversee our military slaughtering innocent people around the world for literally no good reason.

[@thomy1955]

@@kiwitrainguy Stalin wasn't really revolutionary, he actually was pretty conserative.

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

In fact, the period of terror can be divided into two phases, before April 1794, terror was dominated by the masses of Paris, and from April to July 1794, it was dominated by Robespierre. Since the beginning of the revolution, the Paris masses have been an important political force. They are the main force in overthrowing the monarchy. With the continuous deterioration of the economic situation and the intensification of domestic and foreign crises, the Paris masses have become more and more crazy. They forced the Jacobins to implement economic control and terror, and if the Jacobins didn't want to, they would attack the parliament again It is worth mentioning that it was not Robespierre who played an important role at the beginning of the Reign of Terror Danton was the man who played a big role in the beginning of the Reign of Terror Robespierre rescued some members of the Girondists at the beginning and even opposed the execution of Marie Antoinette, but the reign of terror was beyond his control. Later, the National Convention produced a large number of massacres in the provinces. He condemned these atrocities, But no one wanted to listen to him, and finally, when he promulgated the Law of 22 Prairial, he rested at home for a while, during which time his political enemies were also mass-executing prisoners, Robespierre at the June 28 meeting has condemned the executions and asked the prosecutor to be relieved of his duties, but he failed To accurately describe Robespierre's character in the reign of terror, that is indecision. He hopes to save the revolution, so he supports terror, but he does not want terror to cause too many executions, but terror causes massacres is bound to happen.

[@ethanramos4441]

“The secrets of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is keeping them ignorant” Maximilian Robespierre

[@lallen4999]

Which is what is happening in US today!!

[@beelzebub3991]

USA had fake revolution against the establishment by electing Trump, but now Biden, more of the establishment, is offered as the only solution: perpetual war, militarization of the police, and the continued erosion of the Bill of Rights. Guy Fawkes and Che Guevara for President and VP 2020.

[@joshschneider9766]

If gamers blew up parliament you would see exactly zero Catholics in england today because the crowns response would have been quite grnocidai.

[@seandilallo8718]

Said one of the most notoriously bloodthirsty and insane tyrants in history.

[@ottomeyer6928]

100% right

[@jacey1963]

Really enjoyed this, feature length almost and wonderfully detailed, great writing, great production values, I really love the format you have developed here. The channel is a sanctuary of calm right now, in a world none of us quite recognise.

[@Contessa6363]

Exactly! I have been watching all my historical channels

[@nikkyray3558]

Has to be the best and most balanced doc I’ve seen on him.

[@alzira_andrade]

Não é...

[@stephanieking4444]

To think the man originally wanted to outlaw the death penalty....

[@swithinbarclay4797]

I was curious, might you have problems, with Capital Punishment existing in Our Laws, Civilian & Military? Might you have problems with Prosecutors requesting the same, and then Judges and their Juries, adjudicating the same, when guilty verdicts are determined? Might you have problems, when Governors and Legislatures initiate Death Warrants? Might you have problems, when Prisons follow through upon those Death Warrants? Might you have problems, when Law Enforcement Officers use Lethal Force, to save lives? Might you have problems, when a Civilian uses Self-Defensive Lethal Force, to save her/his own life; the lives of her/his loved ones; and, his/her own property? Might you have problems, with the American Militaries, killing The Enemy in combat, in order to achieve ultimate victory, and thus to restore The Peace?

[@michaelrowsell1160]

@@swithinbarclay4797 yes I have a problem with that.The means do not justify aims.

[@shebastinson7813]

Wasnt this country founded on God's laws?

[@Anosaan]

His views changed as the political climate evolved : by 1792, there were constant threats of foreign invasion and interior rebellion that would bring an end to the Revolution if nothing was done. He wanted to outlaw the death penalty for common crimes but not for those who were conspiring against the Republic. That's also why he and a majority of deputies ultimately voted for the King's execution.

[@steveshapiro326]

@@Anosaan The Republic meant everything to the fanatic Robespierre. Soon France became a police state till the terror ended.

[@jaynoyd]

The Art work, pen and ink as well as the paintings, that were presented are totally incredible.!!!!

[@merc9nine]

Set your bar for using the word incredible much higher.

[@nikkyray3558]

Absolutely agree

[@shoominati23]

If only photography were invented 50 years earlier!

[@kevanhubbard9673]

To quote his fellow revolutionary, Vladimir Lenin,'sometimes history needs a push' but I'll warrant Maximilien Robespierre wasn't expecting to be pushed under the guillotine himself.

[@jameshogan6142]

He was hoist with his own petard.

[@swithinbarclay4797]

I'd always been amused, by Charles Dickens' dark sarcastic drolleries, most notably in this case, in "A Tale of Two Cities", always referring to the guillotine, as "The National Razor", and saying that its victims, had just sustained a "very close shave"!

[@filipematias5127]

Congratulations on a VERY well done extensive extremely accurate summary of the French Revolution along with one of its main figures Maximilien Robespierre! And the original 18th century's illustrations drawings, ingravings, pictures and paintings of the French Revolution period are a real treat: thanks for sharing them!

[@elliotfong5061]

What if Robespierre gave the names of the new enemies on the list?

[@epic6434]

@@elliotfong5061 Who is the enemies you ?

[@jamestownsley1591]

I love the fact you went into such details with your documentaries. Love them!

[@irvingkurlinski]

It amazes me that someone as close to the danger managed to keep his head as long as he did. The invocation of ruthless tactics was Robespierre undoing. When you surrender the moral high ground, it will be used against you, as history repeatedly shows.

[@TPaige]

Could his lack of empathy have come as a result of his loss of his mother and father? Life was cruel to him and he lashed out at life’s cruelty to him by being just as cruel to his rivals.

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

@@TPaige That's just a stereotype, Robespierre had very little control over the Terror. Outside Paris he had no direct control. Members of the Convention operated on their own authority and without reference to any central body. It was an anarchic process. Once it had begun it became very difficult to halt. To suggest that the Terror should end was to risk becoming its victim. Ironically it was as Robespierre attempted to curtail the Terror outside Paris that he fell from power. The reason Robespierre’s opponents gave for executing him in July 1794 was not his extremism but his moderation. Those who led the Thermidor plot against him were members of the Convention recalled from the areas in revolt who knew that they would have to account for their actions. Among them was Joseph Fouché who had been prominent in the de-christianization campaign and had carried out Massacres in Lyon. He would go on to become chief of police under Napoleon and the restored Bourbons.

[@zacksmith5963]

He was a terrorist

[@epic6434]

To establish it you must communicate in the manner they detest first and then they realize how important it is to hold it in then explodes but the opponent has to cry about the moral and forgets they're morals are on display as a manner one learns from the social influence.

[@epic6434]

@@TPaige he may have said so to have appeared ti have nothing to lose in a game of defamation and guillotine sharpened like they're charging for admission causing need for a head.

[@williamgeorgefraser]

My home is in the town where Saint-Just was born, Decize, in Burgundy. There is a square named after him. I've read about the events of the period but it is amazing how quickly they occurred. Great video.

[@zacksmith5963]

He was a terrorist

[@alankohn6709]

He was a Zealot and while his beliefs were laudable like all Zealots he could not bend or compromise and in the real world compromises must be made . He created a monster and lost control of it

[@michaelkelligan7931]

Thank you for your kind words. Another fantastic video! Keep up your informative and fascinating look into our past! I hope that you and your families stay safe in these troubled times! Cheers from the states!

[@allfiner]

Robespierre, a perfect example of how power corrupts. He could have done such great things, if only

[@beautiful8853]

💯

[@nikkyray3558]

He brought democracy to western civilization. Yea if only

[@GoldenHairAngel]

@@nikkyray3558 But he was a mass murderer. And not really a democracy, Napoleon took over.

[@nikkyray3558]

@@GoldenHairAngel oh… so George Washington didn’t kill anybody? Julius Caesar? It seems to me we hold him to a different standard because he stood up to the royals.

[@GoldenHairAngel]

@@nikkyray3558 Don't really know much about Washington. Caesar certainly was evil. I don't hold them to different standards.

[@davewade30]

Robespierre had his own intolerance and authoritarianism used against him. He very carefully and deliberately laid the groundwork for his own death. The story is almost enough to make you believe in karma.

[@cpfs936]

Noble ideals ultimately overcome by ego and narcissism. He seems like the kind of person who would never miss an opportunity to tell you how wonderful he was.

[@calvinh8755]

Been waiting for this one! Great video!

[@horaciofrancomisa7088]

Great vid, very educational and short enough to keep our attention. Men like him appear at the right time in history to affect change far beyond their lives. Of course the world moves on and many entractable people outlive their use for society. Hard to imagine the world today without men like Roberpierre but from time to time in history they are needed and will be discarded when they become a hindrance.

[@MrWombatty]

Virtually all revolutions begin with wonderfully honorable ideals, but sadly end up with a dictator in charge!

[@twiddlerat9920]

American Revolution

[@LordMalice6d9]

@@twiddlerat9920 Thats what made America special. PS: Its everything that came after that made America start losing its soul.

[@twiddlerat9920]

@@LordMalice6d9 n'wah

[@lallen4999]

Jut so in US

[@marinazagrai1623]

MrWombatty...revolutions are started by dissatisfied people, but those are usually uneducated (that's the whole point, unfortunately) and don't know how to do revolt properly, and others who don't have the respect of the upper classes fill those heads with the right info but undoubtedly has to be the leader of the movement.

[@sukisuzuki10]

Only just discovered this channel Really well researched, absolutely absorbing Thanks

[@CaptainCalculus]

The French actually don't call 14 July "Bastille Day". They refer to it as Fête Nationale.

[@cleaner1984]

14th of July in France is officially referred to as Fete Nationale but more commonly, people just refer to it as "Le 14 Juillet". Historically though, the 14th of July 1789 is commonly referred to the "Prise de la Bastille" or "the storming of the Bastille" in english.

[@helgasaintpierre9809]

Again, an excellent study of a flawed individual. Well researched, well presented and highly informative; but, please illiminate the background music or tone it down to absolute minimum. I love classic music but found it very distracting in some sections due to the volume. Cheers

[@helgasaintpierre9809]

@Mr Storni It's perhaps a bit harsh to call them names. The narrative and presentation other than the music is excellent and a great educational experience. One can critique constructively which will hopefully influence further videos. As to the music, Vivaldi is always wonderful, but something rococo rather than baroque would have been époque appropriate.

[@longfade]

Well, you should be grateful that you are completely unflawed, yes? You two should arrange a tête-à-tête to discuss the stupidity of others, and revel in your superior intellect, instead of doing it on KZbin.

[@helgasaintpierre9809]

@@longfade I do believe the comments were respectful and constructive versus cynical and sarcastic in point.

[@marylamb1407]

He was a fanatic. Fanatics are always dangerous.

[@richiemelb]

Maximilien Robespierre went from being a revolutionary hero to being a revolutionary tyrant

[@RelivingHistory1]

Yep! As a Frenchman, it fills me with pleasure to see others like you are also interested in this era of history! I make first-hand account videos about historical moments, many of which are from the French Revolution, Robespierre, Louis XVI ect... (and all of its gruesome executions). If you have the time and are passionate about the subject, I’d love to know if you enjoy the videos I’ve made! Merci, all the best!! I recommend specifically my videos on Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and Napoleon:)

[@kadmoizmileta608]

i love watching your videos to get the general idea of the life of the person the video is on, before i go and read some books on him/her. Amazing channel. you put a lot of effort in the videos and it really shows. great video as always.

[@PeopleProfiles]

Very kind, thank you.

[@kennytheclown3859]

Very well done. I learned a lot.

[@causticmedia3621]

Excellent video!

[@dianeshannon7988]

Very detailed brushing up on history at school.Theor are many echoes in history to date.

[@brianjennings7644]

as Marie Antoinette ascended the gallows, she stepped on the executioner's foot, she said "pardon moi".. ... he did not.

[@maxcowell3920]

Thank you for this - I'm reading Professor Israel's magnificent work on the Enlightenment at the moment and it's good to have a timeline so well set out.

[@Redrobinjohn]

The music is the background goes up and down more times than a tarts knickers. Doing my head in

[@theroadupward]

Tyrant or hero? Why only 2 choices? Only 2 choices is part of our getting it wrong. There are many other choices-we are complicated.

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

He was a complex man, he did enact radical laws, but Robespierre was moderate at the beginning of his reign of terror, he even opposed the execution of Marie Antoinette, he also condemned the massacres in the provinces by members of the guild To be precise, he supports the Reign of Terror, but the atrocities created by the Reign of Terror are beyond his control.

[@jamesmurphy8676]

Acquittal or death. That's why

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

@K DALLAS That's a misunderstanding of Robespierre. Robespierre's power is actually the same as everyone else's. After the Thermidor coup, those who killed Robespierre exaggerated Robespierre's power Because they don't want to admit their crimes in the reign of terror (Robespierre called up some members who caused massacres in the provinces before his death, and Robespierre wanted to punish those members，But this made others think that Robespierre wanted to kill them）

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

@K DALLAS No, there is a lot of evidence that Robespierre did not have too much power. If you look up information about Robespierre, you will find that many French revolutions are complicated and cannot be viewed with stereotypes. Let me give an example, marie, she planned to leak French military intelligence to suppress the revolution,Robespierre opposed the court's execution of marie, but the court still executed marie When you look at Robespierre from a demonized perspective, then you, like the people of Paris at that time, look at things in an overly simplistic way

[@brianbarley9711]

I suspect that the answer that a person gives says more about who they are and where they are from than who he was.

[@JohnDoe-tx8lq]

Being 'incorruptible' is meaningless if that involves sending thousands of innocent people to tier deaths. ANY negotiation and compromise can be classed as corrupt if you think you should stick unwaveringly to your own views, the result is that any conflict can only be won by the total and utter defeat / destruction / death of your critics - and not with compromises that benefit the most people. Is not killing innocent people in return for your own benefit and political power exactly what corruption is? He was a corrupt as they get.

[@anairenemartinez165]

Guevara

[@charleseternal1751]

"Pens mightier than the sword,so heads get servered"

[@rpm1796]

Also...the pen is a lot lighter to swing.

[@stephenmcdonagh2795]

@@rpm1796 It's a myth- I lost three fingers in a duel to find that one out- but at least I did some permanent marker damage.

[@KITO1966]

I've just signed up and am really learning a lot from this channel. Good work guys, excellent documentaries!

[@theriverofgordon1470]

I really think alot of activists of all kinds should watch this. The revolution always devours its own and turns into what it fought against

[@retro.spectral]

The historical service remains. Would none of these revolutions happen, if no Robespierres, Dantons, or Lenins exist, we'd be stuck in divine feudalism and die before we turn 40, 3/5 of children die in birth, and the rest be seven year old miners or children concubines for rich monsters.

[@renevega2]

But they abolished feudalism and ushered in a new era.... You're right, activists should watch this to encourage them to keep going and usher in a new era themselves. Who knows, they might even abolish the pigsty that is capitalism?

[@Destroymaster100]

the revolution was never intended to be for the people. it was against the people. people were just brainwashed to believe that the monarchy was oppressing the people of france by people like Jean Paul Marat

[@deidreperryman172]

Excellent presentation very educational. Something that can happen else where. Many people died needlessly and were taken in by those with their own agenda and those who went along with it.

[@sambassil7825]

Anger is key, reactions shaped the development of events. Oppression is a dangerous matter.

[@patgal2359]

@@sambassil7825 hes not saying that. He said they were conned by those with their own agenda

[@patgal2359]

Closes parallel

[@gardengnome2409]

Great work. Many Thanks

[@GoldenHairAngel]

This was awesome, thanks.

[@LeePenn2492]

Really good informative as fook... Nice 1..

[@KeelsF2F]

Going to have to watch it again to catch all the detail I missed the first time with Mr. Doddy's rapid-fire narration. Not complaining, though, as it's a very good treatment of one of history's most intriguing developments for me.

[@mofa9745]

Terrific video ! Thanks so much.

[@neilputland9407]

Haveing watch this documentry, I think he was a very clever man who was riding the feelings of the time to his own end.

[@kennethhughes8186]

GREAT format and content. But the Narration is simply FANf'nTASTIC!!😮😀😀😁

[@wordscapes5690]

Nice, but why the music of Divorak? Surely music from the late rococo would have been more appropriate? Mozart's Don Giovanni or his Requiem would have worked so much better.

[@Eric0816]

"It has been said that terror was the mainspring of despotic government. Does your government, then, resemble a despotism? Yes, as the sword which glitters in the hands of liberty's heroes resembles the one with which tyranny's lackeys are armed. Let the despot govern his brutalized subjects by terror; he is right to do this, as a despot. Subdue liberty's enemies by terror, and you will be right, as founders of the Republic. The government of the revolution is the despotism of liberty against tyranny. Is force made only to protect crime? And is it not to strike the heads of the proud that lightning is destined? To punish the oppressors of humanity is clemency; to pardon them is barbarity. The rigor of tyrants has only rigor for a principle; the rigor of the republican government comes from charity." -Maximilien Robespierre

[@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost]

Aka; "But it's ok when I do it!"

[@TESkyrimizer]

@@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost lol kinda 😔

[@elangelyt7738]

@@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost you didn't understand anything SMH

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

@@Whitby_Abbeys_Ghost No, this speech shows his contradictions, he said this speech when danton and Hébert were having a political fight, he was against stopping the reign of terror because the war was not over, and he also hoped that the reign of terror would not cause too much Execution, at the beginning of the Reign of Terror, Robespierre was moderate, he saved some Girondins and even opposed the execution of Marie Antoinette, but the Reign of Terror was beyond his control, and in the provinces, members of the National Convention produced massacres, He denounced these atrocities but no one listened to him, after the death of danton and Hébert he issued the Law of 22 Prairial, which resulted in too many executions, but that doesn't mean he wanted it, he was resting at home, he The political opponents executed a large number of prisoners during this period, and on June 28 Robespierre protested against these executions, but he failed

[@mahfoudseraf5995]

​@@elangelyt7738understand what?

[@TheWinterShadow]

At 17:16:....badly beaten Delauney shouted, 'enough let me die' and kicked a pastry cook named Delay in the groin...; Now that's French violence and determination.

[@itamadness1892]

textbook "you either die a hero, or live long enough to become the villain."

[@goupilmauperthuis8413]

Hello, thanks for the video, although Robespierre's death didn't mark the end of political persecution, since the thermidorian reaction left also a bloody trail of summary executions and deportations to Guyane, called "Contre-Terreur" or Counter-Terror, where the Jacobins lost ground and their progressive reforms were abolished during time (such as universal masculine suffrage, workers unions, progressive taxation and the abolition of slavery). Neither a hero nor a tyrant, Robespierre has become the embodiment of a specific period in the french revolution. To be a tyrant, he would have needed a police or an army, which he hadn't and when it became obvious he had lost popular support, he was very quick to lose all power. As Robespierre prophetized in his last speech: "after me, you shall experience military despotism"... five years later, Bonaparte made that true.

[@laurielovett8849]

To be a tyrant you don't need a police force. You see the making of a tyrant in many small children. Tyrants are born

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

@@laurielovett8849 He was a complex man, he did enact radical laws, but Robespierre was moderate at the beginning of his reign of terror, he even opposed the execution of Marie Antoinette, he also condemned the massacres in the provinces by members of the guild To be precise, he supports the Reign of Terror, but the atrocities created by the Reign of Terror are beyond his control

[@thierryfromgwada9312]

Napoleon = military despotism ? Napoleon never do anything against french people, but only against countries surrounding desiring attack France in order to restore the french monarchy. I don't know what you talk about.

[@adamf.9835]

Great job!👍

[@johndriver8646]

Absolute Power corrupts absolutely !! He was a little of both hero and villian ..

[@douglasparise3986]

This is an inspiration, and a heartwarming story

[@douglasparise3986]

What a mess

[@douglasparise3986]

Mobocracy

[@zacksmith5963]

@@douglasparise3986 if anything it proves that france hates Islam for beheading (which Islam doesnt promote) and then forgets its own history

[@MOHAMED7astanak]

@@douglasparise3986 exactimo! What happened is a posh-franc version of the upstart Americanism MR had studied. Not only did it become a shit show, it descended into an orgy of violence among cowards and weak men.

[@edwardrichardson8254]

When they say “liberated the Bastille” it should be noted there were just 7 prisoners there, and I believe some of them actually tried to save de Launay. The Bastille at that point averaged maybe 20 prisoners a year, it was noted for its aristocratic prisoners who were allowed to bring their servants, take walks along the battlements, and eat marvelously (I believe de Sade weighed over 300 pounds during his famous incarceration there). History often butchers reality however, we see this in the so-called Russian Revolution, a coup by the armed wing of the Bolshevik Party that cemented its grip on power after losing the only fair election in Russia (Jan 1918), causing Lenin to throw a fit, declare the govt dissolved, and kick off the Red Terror and civil war.

[@commiegobbledygook3138]

History butchers reality because butchers really make the history.

[@shibusamuelabraham1090]

Good documentary on Robespierre. Detailed

[@froglight]

What a wild time of people just waking up to concepts we take for granted like 'consent of the governed' and then just dusting each other in the streets over it.

[@jvnjr]

It's ironic how so many alleged and reputed historians are inclined to compare the French Revolution as having been similar to the American Revolution. The only thing similar about them were the fact that both the Marquis de Lafayette and Tom Paine we're in the cast of both revolutions, and for entirely different reasons. Lafayette thought that he was solving the problem of bankruptcy and bringing liberal reform back home to France with him, whereas Paine had declared a complete war upon organized religion, and he was trying to bring on a premature class struggle, being the radical which he was. Only the intervention of American diplomats kept paying out from under the shadow of the French national razor. Nothing could be further than 180° apart than these two revolutions. The American Revolution undermined the relationship of a colony with its mother country, whereas the French Revolution toppled classes, brought on dictatorship, first with George Jacques Danton, next with Maximilian Robespierre, next with the Directory, the Consulate, and after all of those had their way in France throughout 10 years of political and societal upheaval, then came Napoleon Bonaparte, under whose dictatorship it is estimated by many historians of the period that some 25 million Europeans lie dead thereafter, cumulatively, between 1789 and 1815. Then came The Hundred Fays, Waterloo, the White Terror, and the Bourbon Restoration, which is why that I say it's political heresy, and the height of political naivety to compare the American Revolution together with the French Revolution in the same breath. They're different animals with the latter being largely led by a pack of animals, Robespierre's legal mind, and his serial intermittent penchant for legislative genius notwithstanding.

[@allenlindsey1175]

25 million from napoleon is probably light Great comment you had.

[@AlexDeLarge77]

Orwell rather shrewdly observed that “All revolutions fail, but not all revolutions fail in the same way” That’s true but certain tropes do exist. Destabilisation, violence, murder, lawlessness, repression, imprisonment of “enemies of the revolution” torture, and ultimately dictatorship and oppression. The British historian Dr D Starkey pointed out that a revolution ultimately ends up taking on the very worst aspects of the ancien régime. So what’s not to like? Edmond Burke called it in “Reflections on the French Revolution” he even prophesied the emergence of the little corporal. Revolution is for the quixotic youth who romanticise a utopian dream. In reality it is a journey across a sea of blood to a destination you are destined not to reach.

[@jamesmillar524]

Nesta webster wrote a very good book on the French Revolution, not easy reading but worth ploughing through

[@jerryumfress9030]

King Louis saw the hand writing on the wall and he should have high- tailed right then

[@pennycaldwell8141]

Jerry Umfress, He tried.

[@Kelly14UK]

He and Marie got as far as nearly reaching Belgium, an Austrian outpost but were discovered.

[@blitzblutz]

I just went to Paris and I have no idea why the Revolution occured?! Beautiful city with lots to do like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triumph, nice subway, great shopping and wonderful food. Even Disney!😂

[@mickcox8603]

A revolution with a revolution leads to tears & a collapsed society. A revolution without a revolution leads to peace

[@renevega2]

What????

[@mahfoudseraf5995]

I want whatever shit you're high on

[@prider61]

The First and Second Estates are Still Virtually Tax Free in the United States

[@Jane20121985]

the roots of the angry modern left

[@luissantiago8446]

Not to mention Marxists, Bolsheviks, Red Guards and Maoist Khmer Rouge.

[@SB-129]

Opposed celibacy, slavery and the death penalty, if only he stopped there.

[@michaelrowsell1160]

Some one should have told Robespierre Beware of what you wish for .

[@patdiggins9252]

Revolution always consumes its brightest 🌟.

[@srobs1216]

The ideals of Robespierre were not bad, but as absolute power corrupts absolutely, so went his earlier ideals.

[@scottwidiculous]

His ideals were twisted. The difference between him and the American Revolutionaries is that he thought of people as groups. “The poor common people” and the “elites”. That’s dangerous thinking. Rights have to be individual, not to groups. If you get that wrong, it leads to these kind of nightmares.

[@mljrotag6343]

@@scottwidiculous Exactly right. It's the same thing with the communists. USSR and China, etc... devide them by groups and you can justify slaughtering tens of millions. Hitler did the same thing. This is never a good idea. The individual is the foundation of liberty.

[@grandinquisitor8335]

I don't support the reign of terror but, I prefer to look at something with all angles France at the time was diplomatically isolated from all of the world From the HRE to the Papal States they are against everything the revolution stand for and would most likely tortured everyone to death, everyone involved if the revolution was crushed , The Nobility pretty much asked foreign rulers to kill their own countrymen today that's called treason, The King and Queen Tried to Flee the country Which permanently shattered their relationship with the people, Most Commoners where abused, Underpaid,overworked, Etc by the Nobility if they even thought of revolting they would be brutality massacred. Feudal history was rampant with Fed Up Commoners or Citizens that where abused and would revolt hoping that the king would see their point and allow justice only to be massacred , Only a few days off a year, most people would get to themselves and they where far away from each other. I don't Call King Louis the XVI a bad Man, However He was undeniably a weak,Inexperienced,Timid Man whom He Allowed himself to be pushed around

[@zacksmith5963]

They were bad . Really bad

[@RichMitch]

This is a big one

[@zekelucente9702]

A small brewery in Artois France? Stella Artois was founded is 1639 🤔.

[@1339LARS]

Thank you !!!! //Lars

[@kevininglis512]

Once Robspierre and his cohorts went into executing briskly, that energy undermined the French Revolution's initial principles and destructiveness ensued

[@chiptobey5874]

The French Revolution was really messy! Robespierre's ideals were admirable when he started, but he made change even messier in the end.

[@montrelouisebohon-harris7023]

Most definitely did!! I'm glad when we were fighting the British for our sovereignty in the American Revolution from 1775 - 1781, we had France as a Ally that helped us during the last two years or so because that war probably would have never ended had they not. The only way it could have been that is if the Revolutionary War was fought more down south where it's hot as hell rather than up north. People from Europe cannot take the heat in the southern part of the United States or even in the Southeast or Southwest.😂😂

[@thomasruppenthal7192]

@Traditional Monarchist Far more of an effect upon the Communists of Lenin and Stalin who used Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to murder millions and create the terror of the gulags, while creating the religion of Communism / Marxism, a religion still trying to destroy Western Civilization.

[@nomore9004]

Liberalism is not good Liberalism is from Hill.

[@javiergarcia-ue9wm]

And the French Revolution didn`t achieve anything , except for killing thousands of inocent people including serfdom used by aristocrats ... The revolutionaries did not achieve their goal.. Soon after came King Felipe I and then came Napoleon a dictator.

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

That was because of the war and the economic collapse, at the beginning of the Reign of Terror, Robespierre opposed the execution of Marie Antoinette, but he failed, but he saved some of the Girondins, and the Paris crowd was getting more and more frantic, the National Convention Members are also causing massacres in the provinces, which Robespierre cannot control

[@hitmaniaatlantic7314]

When Louis XVI was put under house arrest, the Legislative Assembly knew that the monarch could mount an insurrection and this would mean that their heads would ultimately fall. So to save themselves with foreign armies on standby to potentially restore the monarch, the King was used as the scapegoat to hold onto power and install their Reign of Terror. Robespierre lamented 'the King must die for many to live'. After the king's execution, there was no common enemy to blame, the economic issues which began the country's discontent, were still prevalent so removing the monarch was clearly not the solution by simply proved that the revolutionaries' lack of understanding national politics and governance. Terror was their shield to avoid their fate. Coming up with laws such as the Law of Suspects that relied simply on their emotions was tantamount to a dictatorship. Arrests out of suspicion of which no trials were allowed is totalitarianism. The truth is that the French revolutionaries governed by fear and were worse than the monarch am actually did not know what to do with the country once they seized power. Robespierre attempted to create a new religion where he saw himself as divine, The 'cult of the supreme beng'. When terror went beyond him and he realised others were more radical than him, he knew his days were numbered. He orchestrated the downfall of the Girondins and later his own allies in in his regime of terror, Danton and Desmoulins, until his own end brought his tyranny to a halt. Robespierre self obsession was that he hid behind so called intellectualism and thought leadership when in actual fact he was a monster that had little empathy with anyone, especially those who opposed his ideas. The axe that Robespierre wielded against his opponents eventually turned on him. The revolution inevitably cannibalized it's founder.

[@jameshogan6142]

Those moderates who wanted a constitutional monarch with Parliament having legal authority should have been listened to.

[@fuzinator1922]

Awesome documentary; I only have two questions. 1) What is the name of the symphony heard at 16:13? It’s very familiar to me, but I can’t seem to name it. 2) During Robespierre’s time at Louis-le-Grand, it was mentioned that he was selected to give an oratory during the visit of the young Louis XIV; I recall learning that the king snubbed or ignored Robespierre, which may have sparked a burning resentment of the monarchy. Did you avoid mentioning that as it cannot be verified? Or is that likely what transpired between them?

[@jodie4609]

I'm so glad Robin Leach found work

[@Chuck0856]

That's not Robin Leach.

[@monkeywildlife7607]

Awesome historical movies

[@vicmorrison8128]

Could have done without the background music...distracting.

[@dfens1987]

Interesting the french revolution had its own type of cancel culture.

[@antonvernooy6186]

well done

[@kenoglesby5840]

Robespierre was both hero & tyrant. He succumbed to that which has befell many great idealistic leaders before & since him: the addiction to power once it's attained, regardless of whether it comes by intent or coincidence 🤔

[@codacreator6162]

Robespierre was, in the beginning, precisely what France needed. But he took it too far, ignored the people who cautioned against heavy-handed application. If change is right, it will make its own way once begun. If it is forced through violence for expedience sake, it leads to corruption. We’ve lost touch with the time, care, and consideration through which all things must be created and maintained, opting for the expedience of technology. It’s an illusion destined to be our undoing.

[@romelnegut2005]

There goes a saying "Live by the sword, die by the sword". For Robespierre, the "weapon of choice" was "Madame Guillotine", a "madam" that loved to offer everyone that wanted one last dance. P.S. : I could have used "What goes around comes around" but I found the previous one more suited for the situation at hand.

[@janewright315]

Arguably then the elites got their just desserts as well. Live by corruption, die by corruption

[@romelnegut2005]

@@janewright315 Absolutely.

[@edwinsalau150]

The national razor!

[@elliotfong5061]

What goes around song or one by Disney pattycake production?

[@user-yn7ux4fz6u]

That's just a stereotype, Robespierre had very little control over the Terror. Outside Paris he had no direct control. Members of the Convention operated on their own authority and without reference to any central body. It was an anarchic process. Once it had begun it became very difficult to halt. To suggest that the Terror should end was to risk becoming its victim. Ironically it was as Robespierre attempted to curtail the Terror outside Paris that he fell from power. The reason Robespierre’s opponents gave for executing him in July 1794 was not his extremism but his moderation. Those who led the Thermidor plot against him were members of the Convention recalled from the areas in revolt who knew that they would have to account for their actions. Among them was Joseph Fouché who had been prominent in the de-christianization campaign and had carried out Massacres in Lyon. He would go on to become chief of police under Napoleon and the restored Bourbons.

[@Mantreaus]

A Story of Power leading to Corruption ending in disaster. The Revolutionary out of fear of losing power was becoming what he had fought against. There are lessons to be learned from history, it's glory and mistakes. We seem not too remember until it's too late. "Learn, Remember, We All make Mistakes. Make Yours a New One." Mantreaus Robespear 2020 Stay Safe, Calm, and maybe use the time for introspection. Peace.

[@blugaledoh2669]

You need power to create change.

[@Mantreaus]

@@blugaledoh2669 How you wield the power is the change you create.

[@AA-mv2nd]

I could have done without the odd choice of background music, which was also too loud. The New World Symphony - really?

[@karlm9302]

Exceptional channel !! Could you please consider doing biography about Fidel Castro in the future? Should be an intriguing idea in addition to all the other truly spectacular videos of yours. Looking forward to hear from you soon, :) Stay safe, The People Profiles!

[@user-xg8yy7yl1d]

So the king himself declares that the estates should be freely elected while without having done so Robespierre would have never gotten to the Estates General and had a political career. Ironic

[@pipfox7834]

King was under a lot of pressure from ALL sections of society for reform: nobody wanted to pay extra taxes incurred by Frances endless wars of the previous decades. So the King was clinging desperately to power by throwing out all sorts of ideas that he thought would save him. Ironic that none of them saved the Monarchy!.

[@pipfox7834]

King was under a lot of pressure from ALL sections of society for reform: nobody wanted to pay extra taxes incurred by Frances endless wars of the previous decades. So the King was clinging desperately to power by throwing out all sorts of ideas that he thought would save him. Ironic that none of them saved the Monarchy!.

[@HighPriestFuneral]

King Louis XVI had many flaws, but he was open to legitimate reforms. He believed that the people were the natural ally of the Monarchy against the Clergy and Aristocracy and hoped to be able to funnel some of that rage against those groups that had been skating by with little to give back to society for ages. Ironic how it all turned out, along with the man's historical reputation.

[@five2one746]

The narration on this video reminds me of Saturday cartoons. But I like it!

[@raymondfrye5017]

@The Peoples Profiles: The transcript has to be proofread and corrected. Why? Because the pronunciation of French names and terms by the Briton reading the monologue is being mis-translated.

[@aarondemiri486]

do Georges Danton please

[@steveshapiro326]

Charismatic powerful leader, not the highest morals.

[@aarondemiri486]

@@steveshapiro326 very true financial swindling and responsible for quite a number of unnecessary deaths

[@TaxTheChurches.]

Pretty sure Steve Bannon keeps Robespierre's biography on his bed table.

[@robertbollard5475]

And the end of mass executions was also accompanied by the restoration of slavery, which the Jacobins had abolished (their Girondin opponents had been based on the slave trading ports) and the resumption of that more fundamental terror, violence on a more profound scale, resumed. Mark Twain summed it up, though he was talking of the suffering of the French Peasantry, rather than the slaves in Haiti and the West Indies: “THERE were two “Reigns of Terror,” if we would but remember it and consider it; the one wrought murder in hot passion, the other in heartless cold blood; the one lasted mere months, the other had lasted a thousand years; the one inflicted death upon ten thousand persons, the other upon a hundred millions; but our shudders are all for the “horrors” of the minor Terror, the momentary Terror, so to speak; whereas, what is the horror of swift death by the axe, compared with lifelong death from hunger, cold, insult, cruelty, and heart-break? What is swift death by lightning compared with death by slow fire at the stake? A city cemetery could contain the coffins filled by that brief Terror which we have all been so diligently taught to shiver at and mourn over; but all France could hardly contain the coffins filled by that older and real Terror-that unspeakably bitter and awful Terror which none of us has been taught to see in its vastness or pity as it deserves.”

[@Accu53Mation]

With kids missing a-lot of school because of the social-distancing , history teachers should advise them to watch #ThePeopleProfiles . Better than just sitting around, playing video games, causing trouble. Hope these whipper-snappers get a short...short Summer vacation.

[@winstonsmith8240]

So he was against the death penalty and violence, unless it suited his own political ends. Sounds familiar.

[@davidalton8634]

There’s a saying in England nothing good ever comes out of France especially their thoughts.

[@Mau_Paladino]

There were nothing wrong with Robespierre's ideas and personality. His ideology based on liberty and pluralism it's admirable even today. He just got immerse in political struggle and of course, the power always corrupts even the most honored characters. Everything I should blame him for, it's just the dictatorial decisions he took at the end of the revolution and the political intrigues he got into.. Besides that terrible fact, radical and moderate, we owe them both their contribution to the making of a new era of human rights and democracy.

[@unclepepe1184]

Nothing wrong with his personality? There was nothing wrong with Ted Bundy's personality, either. Max still beat his head count, though.

[@alicianelson1252]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

[@horacefrancou9802]

He started as a hero and ended as an extremist tyrant in the middle of extreme political and military struggle,the unstopable revolutionary dynamics of his becoming a tyrant supported by his followers,which finally liquidated the republic precipitating chaos and creating political power void,Facts ran speedly and deadly fast against 1789 hopes and values and he was not in total control of the situation . The growing paranoid and rigid aspects of his personality must be considered on his and 27 jacobin followers demisal.

[@chad3232132]

Robespierre started as a hero and ended as a hero. In any revolution, terror, purges, and mass execution of the enemies of the revolution are absolutely vital. Robespierre simply did was was necessary - slaughtering the old order. Unfortunately, the reactionary elements within France seized power and steered France back towards the monarchist system of old before he could finish his job.

[@SNP-1999]

It is peculiar how history sometimes goes around in circles. The French won the Battle of Flereus in 1794 - this being very near to a village that would become famous 21 years later - Waterloo, the place that the battle which destroyed French aggression after 22 years of warfare was named after.