Oct 03, 2016 maximilien robespierre 17581794 was a lawyer and, from 1789, an increasingly important and controversial political figure during the french revolution. Speech to the convention, february 5, 1794 click here for original french. Kop virtue and terror av maximilien robespierre, slavoj zizek pa. Virtue and terror maximilien robespierre, jean ducange. This is a repost from a question i asked over the new year that went unanswered. His use of language suggested that those who refused to support his radical doctrine werent true patriots. What was robespierre the head of during the terror. Maximilien robespierre is one of the bestknown and most influential figures of the french revolution. Robespierre s defense of the french revolution remains one of the most powerful and unnerving justifications for political violence ever written, and has extraordinary resonance in a world obsessed with terrorism and appalled by the language of its proponents. Virtue and terror by maximilien robespierre, paperback barnes. Maximilien robespierre 1758 1794 was the leader of the twelveman committee of public safety elected by the national convention, and which effectively governed france at the height of the radical phase of the revolution. Several historians note that as many as 40,000 accused prisoners may have also been summarily executed july 27. The historical life of maximilien robespierres reign of.
Robespierres defense of the french revolution remains one of the most powerful and unnerving justifications for political violence ever written, and has extraordinary resonance in a world obsessed with terrorism and appalled by the language of its proponents. Aug 10, 2012 where does one start reading with slavoj zizek. In order to do this, the convention needed to observe and employ a policy of virtue and terror robespierre. Zizek posits the terror that robespierre became, somewhat unfairly, the face of. Feb 11, 2012 recent discoveries came too late for this biography of robespierre but attention to his early life makes it a worthwhile study, writes ruth scurr. Terror, which began in september 1792 and ended in july 1794 with the arrest and killing of robespierre, was presented as a law enforcement system to protect and defend democracy from its internal enemies. What began as a march to versailles to acquire king louis xvis attention to end the grievances of the general population in 1789, soon spiraled into what became known as the french revolution. The writings of robespierre by maximilien robespierre.
He was born in the artois capital arras on 6 may 1758, to a lawyer father and a mother who was the daughter of a brewer. This title is not eligible for purchase to earn points nor for redemption with your code in the reader rewards program. A mod said it would be okay to repost this since most of the flaired historians were likely sleeping off hangovers, and i just received a dm asking if i would. Robespierre, maximilien on the principles of political morality that should guide the national convention in the domestic administration of the republic speech in the national convention on 5 february 1794 or 18 pluviose year ii. Why robespierre chose terror first totalitarian revolution. It has an extraordinary resonance in a world obsessed with terrorism and appalled by the language of its proponents. Virtue and terror by maximilien robespierre, paperback. This text is part of the internet modern history sourcebook. While this can certainly be a valid interpretation of violence, this video also seems to verify that zizek is cool with straightup. After the national constituent assembly drafted the national constitution in 1791, the legislative assemblys inability to establish a functioning constitutional monarchy divided france socially and politically. Me reading virtue and terror with explanation and commentary. Under the guise of purging the country of internal enemies, robespierre headed the executions of thousands of men. Just sort of taking a survey of opinions of maximilien robespierre.
Slavoj zizek is a slovenian philosopher and cultural critic. Robespierres transformation and the french revolution. Be the first to ask a question about virtue and terror. He had once been a fairly straightforward liberal thinker reputedly he slept with a copy of rousseaus social contract at his side. Virtue and terror by maximilien robespierre goodreads. Robespierre insisted that the committee of public safety keep a tight grip on society due to the threat of invasion from foreign armies and the threat of revolts in the provinces. In my understanding, it is one where the politics of every strand presupposes that neoliberal capitalism is the least worst system that we. He probably saved the revolution at a time when it could easily have colla. By maximilien robespierre introduction by slavoj zizek edited by jean ducange translated by john howe. In the name of public salvation they have imprisoned nearly five hundred thousand traitors of the people during this period, of. So how should a contemporary audience approach robespierres vindication of revolutionary terror. The sourcebook is a collection of public domain and copypermitted texts for introductory level classes in modern european and world history. The french revolution changed the history of europe irrevocably, and caused much destruction throughout france. But as revolutions go, the french one in 1789 was among the worst.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. In his response to critics, zizek notes that the actions of ghandi were far more violent than stalin because they were more disruptive to the status quo. Boost engagement with internal communication videos. These essays go into discussions of such things as robespierres brother releasing prisoners, a study of an account given to robespierre by a friend of gossip, a discussion on the cult of the supreme being and robespierres struggle with religions, studies of relationships of robespierres, and robespierres unpublished works and others. Maximilien robespierre, now the effective dictator of france, is guiding the revolution down an exceedingly narrow and dangerous path towards his republic of virtue supposedly the embodiment of the ideals of the french revolution. Mar 22, 2014 me reading virtue and terror with explanation and commentary. Jan 01, 2007 in this dazzling new series, philosopher and cultural critic slavoj zizek interrogates key writings on revolution. Books by maximilien robespierre maximilien robespierre average rating 3.
Virtue and terror maximilien robespierre, slavoj zizek haftad. He largely dominated the committee of public safety and was instrumental in the period of the revolution commonly known as the. He is a professor at the european graduate school, international director of birkbeck college, university of london, and a senior researcher at the institute of sociology, university of ljubljana, slovenia. Jan 17, 2007 zizek writes it seems for someone who already understands a lot of robespierre and the period, so not so much as an introduction but a postscript. Books by maximilien robespierre author of virtue and terror. The french are the first people of the world who have established real democracy, by calling all men to. The political philosophy of terror rcl rough draft dbt. In his speech, the justification of the use of terror which he presented to show more content so that leaves question as to how it was that robespierre transformed from a man who believed in a government for the people to nearly becoming a tyrant himself. On 18 floreal may 7th 1794 maximilien robespierre addressed the national convention, summarised the course of the revolution and explained the relationship between virtue and terror. The representatives of the french people, organized as a national assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration. Zizek writes it seems for someone who already understands a lot of robespierre and the period, so not so much as an introduction but a postscript. Jul 15, 20 zizek has recently tried to pull a sleight of hand by stressing that violence means other stuff too. Rousseaus influence on robespierre virtue and terror. The declaration of the rights of man and of the citizen approved by the national assembly of france, august 26, 1789.
Robespierres justification of the terror in the french revolution. His books include living in the end times, first as tragedy, then as farce, in defense of lost causes, four volumes of the essential zizek, and many more. Maximilien robespierre great man or master of terror. Thoughts of change and freedom were sparked in the minds of people in the late 1780s, influenced by terror, hate and hunger. Built in 1730, the house has had a varied history as a typing school. During the french revolution, the revolutionaries wanted to make a new government that would give the citizens more freedom, liberty, and equality. Over a million stunning new images at your fingertips.
Slavoj zizek has been called one of the worlds best known public intellectuals. It is time to mark clearly the aim of the revolution and the end toward which we wish to move. Jul 18, 2015 maximilien robespierre, now the effective dictator of france, is guiding the revolution down an exceedingly narrow and dangerous path towards his republic of virtue supposedly the embodiment of the ideals of the french revolution. He was instrumental in the period of the revolution commonly known as the reign of terror, which ended with his arrest and execution in 1794. He had the simplistic idea that if you killed off the unjust, or at least those who were politically active, the rest could live according to just and natural principles. Dec 12, 2011 robespierres ideas of virtue in relationship with the french society are portrayed in ralph c.
Id rather have more explanation, more a sense of what the circumstances were when each piece was written and more explanation of the choices robespierre was making. Virtue and terror by maximilien robespierre, slavoj zizek. This film combines drama, archive and documentary interviews to examine robespierre s year in charge of the committee of public safety the powerful state machine at the. The writings of robespierre by maximilien robespierre nook. Jan 17, 2007 maximilien robespierre is one of the bestknown and most influential figures of the french revolution. In 1794, french revolutionary maximilien robespierre produced the worlds first defense of state terror claiming that the road to virtue lay through political violence. Virtue and terror by maximilien robespierre penguin random. This film combines drama, archive and documentary interviews to examine robespierres year in charge of the committee of public safety the powerful state machine at the heart of revolutionary france. As robespierre put it, let us recognize that there is a conspiracy against public liberty. Virtue and terror revolutions kindle edition by maximilien. Slavoj zizek robespierre or the divine violence of terror. T he american attitude toward the french revolution has been generally favorablenaturally enough for a nation itself born in revolution.
Robespierre and the reign of terror by sara snyder on prezi. The historical life of maximilien robespierres reign of terror. Recent discoveries came too late for this biography of robespierre but attention to his early life makes it a worthwhile study, writes ruth scurr. Robespierre virtue and terror \u2014\u2014\u2014\u2014. Robespierre on virtue and terror 1794 alpha history. True, in the name of liberty, equality, and fraternity, it overthrew a corrupt regime.
About the author 2007 maximilien robespierre is one of the bestknown and most influential figures of the french revolution. According to wikipedia he has published a total of 75 books since 1972 and he releases a new one, on average, every three or four monthsnot to mention an almost endless stream of articles and interviews. On 14 octobre 1923, a plaque was placed on the house at 9 rue maximilien robespierre formerly rue des rapporteurs rented by the three robespierre siblings in 17871789, in the presence of the mayor gustave lemelle, albert mathiez and louis jacob, president of the rosati. Choose from 150 different sets of robespierre flashcards on quizlet. The reign of terror, led by robespierre, was a period of the french revolution during which many people were ruthlessly executed by the new government. Zizek has recently tried to pull a sleight of hand by stressing that violence means other stuff too. Slavoj zizek is a slovenian sociologist, philosopher and cultural critic. Robespierre s defence of the french revolution remains one of the most powerful and unnerving justifications for political violence ever written.
He largely dominated the committee of public safety and was instrumental in the period. Robespierres well thought out address attempted to manipulate his audience into accepting his credence. What was maximilian robespierres rationale for linking. Zizeks introduction analyzes these contradictions with a prodigious breadth of analogy and. I speak of the public virtue which worked so many wonders in greece and rome and which ought to produce even more astonishing things in republican francethat virtue which is nothing other than the love of the nation and its laws. Some time ago we set forth the principles of our foreign policy. Maximilien robespierre is one of the bestknown and most. When, in 1953, chou en lai, the chinese prime minister, was in geneva for the peace negotiations to end the korean war, a french journalist asked him what does he think about the french revolution. Zizeks introduction analyzes these contradictions with a. In this dazzling new series, philosopher and cultural critic slavoj zizek interrogates key writings on revolution. Personally, i think he played an extremely important role in ushering in the modern world, creating what was perhaps the most radically left wing government in a major state until the soviet union.
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