Who was the leading member of the Committee of Public Safety known for advocating the execution of perceived enemies of the revolution?

Prepare for your High School World History Exam. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations to boost your readiness.

The leading member of the Committee of Public Safety who strongly advocated for the execution of those considered enemies of the revolution was Maximilien Robespierre. He played a pivotal role during the Reign of Terror, a period marked by extreme measures taken to eliminate dissent and consolidate the gains of the French Revolution. Robespierre believed that the revolution could only be secured through the purging of counter-revolutionaries, which led to the extensive use of the guillotine against those he deemed a threat to the revolutionary ideals.

His influence and fervor for radical change reinforced the committee's power during this tumultuous time. Robespierre's vision of the republic was marred by his belief in "virtue" and "terror" as necessary components for achieving a just society, which ultimately resulted in his own downfall when the tide of public opinion turned against him.

Other figures like Georges Danton, John Paul Marat, and Louis XVI played significant roles in the history of revolutionary France, but none matched Robespierre's intensity and centrality in the execution of revolutionary justice during the Reign of Terror. Danton was more moderate, advocating for reform, while Marat was an influential journalist but was not as heavily involved in executive action. Louis XVI,

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy