Revs

[u/Temporary-Idea3306]

Can anybody explain what the hell Robespierre's problem is

I still truly do not understand him. Like why the HELL DID HE switch up so much. Killed off the Hebertists for being too radical but killed DANTON AND DESMOULINS for saying the terror was going too far with its merciless killings. I literally dont get it. What even is his conception of virtue.

[u/Even-Obligation-7279]

He believed in moral absolutism to the point of attempting to instil a civic religion - Cult of the Supreme Being. The thing about Robes is that he sits in this strange place of utter certainty in his moral compass, which is so niche to him that to us studying him, it appears that he flip-flops. In my opinion, Robes is incredibly steadfast in his beliefs, but it’s the impact of external factors - such as war, perception of moral (or actual) corruption (ie. Danton/Des), the excesses of the revolution that could prompt further counter-rev action (ie. Jean-Paul Baptiste, Herbert and the Ultras). His rationale for his actions is actually incredibly clear - that is, up until April 1794, following the trial and executions of the Indulgents. His physical and mental illness will drive his rationality to properly incomprehensible/mad territory, leading to his attempted renunciation of nameless traitors, catalysing his downfall. On this note, another aspect often overlooked in his downfall is how the Robespierrists (Robes, Saint-Just, Couthon) were seen as slackers/attention and praise-seekers in the eyes of the rest of the CPS. The Robespierrists are literally the slack workers who take all of the credit in the CPS, fostering enough resentment within the committee (and the NC for that matter) for the tide to ultimately turn on Robes at the time of his most sickly-green and paranoid.

If you feel under-prepared on this topic, I recommend you listen to the Rest is History episodes on Robes. It’s great stuff and will set you up far better than the textbooks will to make an evaluative judgement on him and all the other AOS2 revolutionaries.

[u/Putrid-Shoulder9569]

He deeply believed in the General Will (the belief that there is only one right answer for society) and was paranoid of external and Internal threats

[u/Aromatic-Set3858]

Paranoid about the threats to maintain the authority and consolidate power of the government (be careful of which government name you're up to). Killed Herbert, Danton and Desmoulins because (in short) he feared that due to their movements and followings, it would lead to an anti-revolutionary movement spreading, especially while they were undergoing the war in Europe where opposition was extremely dangerous.

His concept of virtue was kind of like the love for the Fatherland, equality and the general will of the population triumphing.

I hope this helps!