Robespierre Arrested Ending Reign of Terror
By mid-1794, Maximilien Robespierre had risen as a dominant figure in the French Revolution through his role on the Committee of Public Safety, overseeing policies that led to thousands of executions during the Reign of Terror amid war and internal divisions. Growing opposition within the National Convention stemmed from fears of his increasing power and the excesses of the Terror, including the Law of 22 Prairial. On July 27, 1794 (9 Thermidor Year II), rivals including Collot d'Herbois and Billaud-Varenne denounced him during a session. Robespierre and his allies were placed under arrest after chaotic debates and failed attempts to rally support. He was wounded in a later scuffle at the Hôtel de Ville.
Why it matters: The arrest immediately halted the most intense phase of the Terror, leading to Robespierre's execution the next day and the start of the Thermidorian Reaction with more moderate governance. It shifted revolutionary dynamics toward the Directory and eventually Napoleon's rise, illustrating how internal power struggles could redirect major political movements.