Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What is Robespierre's primary goal according to his writings?

1. To restore monarchy

2. To establish order and suppress passions

3. To celebrate traditional values of France

4. To maintain the status quo in governance

The correct answer is: To establish order and suppress passions

Robespierre's primary goal, as reflected in his writings and political actions during the French Revolution, was to establish order and suppress passions. He believed that the chaotic and violent upheaval of the revolution needed to be tempered by a guiding moral authority and rational governance. As a key figure in the Committee of Public Safety, he advocated for a government based on virtue, which he saw as a necessary foundation for a just society. Robespierre argued that too much emotion and instability could lead to tyranny and disorder, hence his emphasis on the need for strict measures to ensure public safety and control the revolutionary fervor. Robespierre's vision was not to restore the monarchy, which was counter to the revolutionary ideals of liberty and equality, nor to celebrate traditional values that he and many revolutionaries sought to overturn. Additionally, he did not aim to maintain the status quo in governance; rather, he sought radical changes that aligned with his beliefs about morality and civic duty, ultimately culminating in the Reign of Terror to eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution. Thus, his focus on establishing order through rationality and moral governance is clearly articulated in his writings and speeches.