The Coup of 9 Thermidor was a political event during the French Revolution where Maximilien Robespierre and his allies were arrested and executed, marking the end of the Reign of Terror.

Background and Rise to Power

Maximilien Robespierre’s fall was rooted in his rise to dominance during the Reign of Terror. Elected to the Committee of Public Safety on 27 July 1793, Robespierre became instrumental in shaping the Revolutionary Government. The Committee’s authority expanded through measures like the Law of Suspects and the Law of 14 Frimaire, transforming it into the de facto executive branch of France.

However, growing opposition from factions like the radical Hébertists and the moderate Dantonists led to their purges in early 1794, cementing Robespierre’s control but alienating former allies and intensifying internal divisions.

The execution of Georges Danton and Camille Desmoulins, both former associates, left Robespierre emotionally strained. Coupled with the heavy demands of governance, his health declined, and he retreated from public life. By the time he reappeared in May 1794 to establish the Cult of the Supreme Being, suspicion of his motives had begun to grow within the National Convention.

Division Within the Revolutionary Government

Robespierre’s promotion of the Cult of the Supreme Being and his prominent role in its festival on 8 June 1794 raised concerns among deputies, who viewed his actions as evidence of fanaticism and potential autocracy. Tensions escalated further with the passage of the Law of 22 Prairial, which accelerated the judicial process and expanded the definition of “enemies of the people.” This law, perceived as a tool to consolidate power, alienated key figures in the Convention and fostered fears of another purge.

A rift also emerged between the Committee of Public Safety and the Committee of General Security over overlapping functions and authority. The creation of a new Police Bureau under Robespierre exacerbated these tensions, with the Committee of General Security viewing it as an encroachment on their jurisdiction. These divisions weakened the revolutionary government’s cohesion and set the stage for Robespierre’s downfall.

The Speech of 8 Thermidor (26 July 1794)

Robespierre’s pivotal speech on 8 Thermidor at the National Convention was intended to address the growing criticism against him. He denounced unnamed conspirators within the government and the Convention, accusing them of undermining revolutionary ideals. This ambiguity, however, created panic among deputies who feared they might be targeted in a new wave of purges. The speech, later presented at the Jacobin Club, received overwhelming support from his loyalists but deepened the divide within the Convention.

The Arrest on 9 Thermidor (27 July 1794)

The following day, Saint-Just began addressing the Convention but was interrupted by Jean-Lambert Tallien, who accused Robespierre and his allies of conspiracy. Other deputies, including Billaud-Varenne and Collot d’Herbois, joined in the denunciations, painting Robespierre as a tyrant. Amid the chaotic session, the Convention decreed the arrest of Robespierre, his brother Augustin, Saint-Just, Georges Couthon, and François Hanriot.

The detainees were sent to various prisons in Paris, but the Commune of Paris, loyal to Robespierre, intervened to prevent their incarceration. This act of defiance led the Convention to declare Robespierre and his associates as outlaws, authorizing their immediate execution if captured.

The Execution on 10 Thermidor (28 July 1794)

In the early hours of 10 Thermidor, forces loyal to the Convention stormed the Hôtel de Ville, where Robespierre and his supporters had gathered. During the raid, Robespierre sustained a severe jaw injury, either from a suicide attempt or a shot fired by an officer. He was arrested alongside his allies and taken to the Revolutionary Tribunal.

Later that day, Robespierre, Saint-Just, Couthon, and 19 others were sentenced to death. They were guillotined at the Place de la Révolution, the same site where King Louis XVI had been executed. Robespierre’s death marked the end of the radical phase of the French Revolution.

The Thermidorian Reaction

Robespierre’s fall ushered in the Thermidorian Reaction, a period of more moderate policies and the dismantling of many elements of the Reign of Terror. The Committee of Public Safety’s power was curtailed, and measures like the Law of 22 Prairial were repealed. The Jacobin Club was closed, and many of Robespierre’s supporters faced persecution or execution. The period also saw the rise of the bourgeoisie, who sought to stabilize France through less radical governance.

Legacy and Impact

Robespierre’s downfall had lasting implications for the French Revolution and the subsequent political landscape. His leadership during the Reign of Terror remains a contentious topic, with some viewing him as a defender of revolutionary ideals and others as a tyrant. The events of 9 Thermidor underscore the fragility of power in revolutionary contexts and highlight the dangers of ideological extremism.

The Thermidorian Reaction shifted the revolution’s trajectory, paving the way for the Directory’s establishment and eventually Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise. Robespierre’s fall serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked power and the complexities of revolutionary governance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What led to Robespierre’s downfall?

His accusations of unnamed conspirators in his 8 Thermidor speech alarmed the National Convention, creating fear of another purge and uniting his enemies against him.

How did the arrest and execution of Robespierre unfold?

On 9 Thermidor, Robespierre, his allies, and key officials were arrested. After failed imprisonment and a standoff at the Hôtel de Ville, they were rearrested, and Robespierre was guillotined on 10 Thermidor.

What role did the National Convention play?

The Convention voted to arrest Robespierre, fearing his increasing power and accusations, and later declared him and his allies outlaws, facilitating their execution.

What was the Law of 22 Prairial, and why was it significant?

A law passed under Robespierre that expedited trials and broadened the definition of “enemies of the people,” increasing executions and alienating political factions.

What were the consequences of Robespierre’s execution?

The Thermidorian Reaction followed, leading to more moderate policies, the end of radical Jacobin dominance, and the winding down of the Reign of Terror.

What internal divisions weakened Robespierre’s position?

Tensions between the Committees of Public Safety and General Security, criticism of the Cult of the Supreme Being, and opposition from both radicals and moderates.

Why is the fall of Robespierre historically significant?

It marked a turning point in the Revolution, ending the period of extreme revolutionary violence and transitioning toward a more conservative and less repressive government phase.