Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/589

The French Revolution 447 of the Committee of Public Safety was Robespierre, who, although he was insignificant in person and a tiresome speaker, enjoyed a great reputation for republican virtue. He disapproved alike of Danton's moderation and of the worship of Reason advocated by the Commune. Through his influence the leaders of both the moderate and the extreme party were executed (March and April, 1794). 781. Fall of Robespierre, July 27, 1794. It was of course impossible for Robes- pierre to maintain his dic- tatorship for long. When he had the Revolutionary Tribunal divided into sec- tions and greatly increased the rapidity of the execu- tions with a view of destroy- ing all his enemies, his colleagues in the Conven- tion began to fear that he would demand their heads next. A coalition was formed against him, and the Convention ordered his arrest. 1 He called upon the Commune to defend him, but the Convention roused Paris against the Commune, which was no longer powerful enough to intimidate the whole city, and he and his supporters were sent to the guillotine. In successfully overthrowing Robespierre the Convention and Committee of Public Safety had rid the country of the only man who, owing to his popularity and his reputation for uprightness, could have prolonged the Reign of Terror. There was an imme- diate reaction after his death, for the country was weary of execu- tions. The Revolutionary Tribunal henceforth convicted very MAXIMILIAN ROBESPIERRE 1 The date of Robespierre's fall is generally known as the Ninth of Thermidor, the day and month of the republican calendar.