Bertrand Barère was a French politician, freemason, and journalist who played a prominent role in the French Revolution, particularly as a member of the National Convention and the Committee of Public Safety.

Early Life and Education

Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac was born on September 10, 1755, in Tarbes, located in the Gascony region of France. The title “de Vieuzac” derived from a small fief owned by his father, Jean Barère, a lawyer. His mother, Jeanne-Catherine Marrast, hailed from the old nobility. Barère attended a local parish school during his early years and later pursued higher education in law. By 1770, he established himself as a lawyer at the Parlement of Toulouse, where he gained prominence as an advocate and essayist.

Barère’s literary achievements included his election to the Academy of Floral Games in 1788, an institution that celebrated poetic and rhetorical excellence. Although he never won their prestigious awards, his contributions gained recognition. He further cemented his intellectual standing by joining the Toulouse Academy of Sciences, Inscriptions, and Polite Literature after publishing a dissertation on an ancient Latin inscription.

In 1785, Barère married a wealthy woman, but he described the union as deeply unhappy in his later writings. His political journey began in 1789 when he was elected deputy for the estates of Bigorre to the Estates-General.

Political Beginnings: The French Revolution

Barère initially aligned with the constitutional party during the early days of the French Revolution. He gained prominence as a journalist with his paper, Point du Jour, which chronicled the debates of the National Constituent Assembly. His depiction in Jacques-Louis David’s famous Tennis Court Oath painting further elevated his public profile.

After King Louis XVI’s failed flight to Varennes in 1791, Barère shifted his allegiance to the republican cause. Elected to the National Convention in 1792, he presided over key sessions, including the trial of Louis XVI. Barère voted for the king’s execution, famously declaring, “The tree of liberty grows only when watered by the blood of tyrants.”

The Committee of Public Safety

Barère joined the powerful Committee of Public Safety in April 1793, becoming a central figure during the Reign of Terror. Representing the moderate faction known as “The Plain,” he often mediated between rival factions like The Mountain and the Girondins. Barère’s eloquence made him the committee’s spokesperson, delivering pivotal decrees and rallying support for revolutionary measures.

Under his guidance, the National Convention decreed the formation of a sans-culottes army in September 1793 to combat counter-revolutionaries. His infamous proclamation, “Let’s make terror the order of the day,” exemplified his role in institutionalizing revolutionary violence.

Barère’s ability to navigate political shifts earned him the nickname “Anacreon of the Guillotine,” though he was criticized by extremists like Jean-Paul Marat for his perceived opportunism. Despite his wavering loyalties, Barère played a critical role in key decisions, including the suppression of the Vendée uprising and the execution of Girondist leaders.

Philosophy and Revolutionary Ideals

Barère championed the concept of “la religion de la patrie” (the religion of the fatherland), advocating for nationalism as a unifying force. He believed in instilling patriotic virtues through education, public festivals, and national service. According to Barère, citizens owed their loyalty and labor to the Republic, which he envisioned as a moral and educational force. His ideas contributed to the revolutionary emphasis on civic duty and collective identity.

Conflicts and the Fall of Robespierre

By 1794, divisions within the Committee of Public Safety had deepened. Barère initially supported Maximilien Robespierre but grew wary of his authoritarian tendencies. During the Thermidorian Reaction, Barère aligned with Robespierre’s opponents, contributing to his arrest and execution on 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794). Barère described Robespierre as “the Terror itself,” distancing himself from his former ally.

Arrest and Deportation

After Robespierre’s fall, Barère’s role in the Reign of Terror made him a target of retribution. In 1795, he was arrested along with fellow Committee members Jean-Marie Collot d’Herbois and Jacques Nicolas Billaud-Varenne. The Convention sentenced them to deportation in French Guiana. Barère, however, managed to escape imprisonment with the help of his cousin and went into hiding in Bordeaux.

Life Under Napoleon and the Restoration

Barère was granted amnesty by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799, allowing him to return to public life. Under the First Empire, he worked as a journalist and published anti-British propaganda. Despite his controversial past, Barère adapted to the shifting political landscape, serving briefly in the Chamber of Deputies during Napoleon’s Hundred Days in 1815.

The Bourbon Restoration marked another downturn in his fortunes. Banished as a regicide, Barère lived in exile in Brussels until 1830. He returned to France during the July Monarchy and lived out his final years in relative obscurity.

Legacy and Memoirs

Bertrand Barère de Vieuzac died on January 13, 1841, as the last surviving member of the Committee of Public Safety. His posthumous memoirs, published in 1842, offer a detailed, albeit self-serving, account of his revolutionary career. Historians remain divided on his legacy, viewing him as either a pragmatic survivor or a symbol of the Revolution’s opportunism and excesses.

Frequently Asked Questions about Bertrand Barère

What was Barère’s role in the Reign of Terror?

Barère was a key voice of the Committee of Public Safety, advocating revolutionary policies like the systematic destruction of the Vendée and inciting the use of terror to crush counter-revolutionaries.

What political factions did Barère align with?

Initially aligned with moderates in “The Plain,” Barère later cooperated with the radical Montagnards, voting for King Louis XVI’s execution and supporting revolutionary armies.

Why did Barère oppose Robespierre?

By 1794, Barère turned against Robespierre, aligning with factions plotting his downfall, contributing to Robespierre’s arrest and execution during the Thermidorian Reaction.

How did Barère’s career change after the Revolution?

After being arrested and deported for his role in the Reign of Terror, he escaped and later received amnesty from Napoleon, engaging in literary work and serving briefly under the July Monarchy.

What philosophical beliefs did Barère promote?

He championed nationalism as a quasi-religion, emphasizing devotion to the “fatherland,” universal education, and public festivals to foster patriotism.