How Did Robespierre Deserve The Right To Vote

Maximilien Robespierre, a lawyer, politician, and member of the Jacobin Club, composed this speech in 1789 with the hope of removing the property requirement barriers in regards to voting and holding office in his home country, France. Robespierre was a “devoted defender of ‘the people’” (FR&HR 83) but, unfortunately he was not defending women, only men. This creates some complications in determining his sincerity because it is unclear if he truly meant what he stated, or simply wanted to gain more followers. Robespierre wrote this speech to convince members of higher classes how unfair the current system is and perhaps even to spark anger into the lives of those living in the Third Estate. During the time Robespierre composed and gave this speech, drastic events were taking place throughout France during the last eighteenth century. The French Revolution had begun and the Estates General convenes, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, Bastille had fallen, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man had been drafted giving Robespierre some inspiration for his ideologies. If these historic events had not occurred, the likelihood of him becoming a historic figure is slim. Luckily, for Robespierre though,

He states, “It follows from all your decrees that every citizen has the right to participate in the law and consequently that of being an elector or eligible for office without distinction of wealth” (83). It is fascinating how a statement said over 200 years ago is still relevant today, in regards to the countries similar to United States. Wealth tends to equal power, and men are granted more political opportunities. Robespierre understands this. Having money should not be the only way to have voting rights and hold a place in office. No matter how much one pays in taxes, each man should have the right to decide how they want to be