The most bloody time of the French Revolution was from 1793-1794, a period also known as Robespierre's "Reign of Terror." Robespierre was affiliated with the Mountain, the more liberal and radical part of the Jacobins (the other being the Girondists). From being an obscure lawyer to France's dictator, Robespierre was a strong leader with a clear direction for France and a mind set on achieving his goal, no matter the cost.
Robespierre's idea for France was a utopia achieved through a socialistic society. In his decree of August 2, 1793, he gave a specific job to each person in society, addressing young men, old men, women and even children. The soldiers were all well trained and were taught "Just cold steel, passion and patriotism," (McKay 700). Almost like communist China, the people were brainwashed with propaganda of patriotism and loyalty for their country. However, by 1794, France was victorious.
Robespierre also created a "planned economy," setting the maximum prices for goods and rationing bread so even the poor could eat. He tried to eliminate the luxuries of the wealthy and bring everyone to the same level, economically. He had a very communistic vision for France.
However, along with the pros, comes the cons. And the cons of Robespierre's plan were not pretty. Because he relied to heavily on the people's loyalty to France and their nationalism, he could not tolerate anyone who spoke or even thought against the way he was trying to run the society. He quieted all voices of opposition with the swing of the guillotine. His dictatorship was not called the "Reign of Terror," for nothing. Just like other communistic societies, the thought was nice, but in reality, it restricted freedom and was the farthest thing from the utopia he wanted. Ironically, in his speech to the National Convention in February of 1794, he says, "...that France...may eclipse the glory of all other free nations...That is our ambition: that is our aim." Maybe his eyes were set on the goal of freedom, but in his hand was the guillotine that snapped off the head of any independent thinker. He also said, "the basis of popular government in time of revolution is both virtue and terror: virtue without which terror is murderous, terror without which virtue is powerless." How does he mean this? Is it reasonable? Is it morally correct?
He means that with good provided by the society, must be the fear of doing anything to challenge the government, which runs the society. In his plan for society, the government was like a parent, equally distributing the good around to all the people, and keeping the people in the dark. In order for his plan to work, he needed the people to be frightened to challenge him and the government. It is true that a communist society can only work if the people are compliant and do not ask questions. But is a communist society the key to utopia?
I most certainly disagree with Robespierre. Socialism theoretically is a fine idea, but never works in real life. Instead, his plan limited the progress and freedom of the people. He was quick to kill any opposition, not only instilling fear throughout France, but becoming a bloody, merciless tyrant. He even executed his longtime corroborator Danton. The people feared they would be next, and rose up against him. Any good he accomplished was overshadowed by the terror that gripped the people. They took the power into their own hands during the next phase of the revolution, the Thermidorian period.
