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              Rousseau had influenced many political ideas and leaders, however perhaps the most noted was politician Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre was a leader in the French Revolution who used Rousseau’s ideas to motivate the general population of France to fight. It should be noted, however, that Robespierre twisted Rousseau’s words to fit his ideas slightly, however the general desire for a republic was the same. Rousseau was often treated as a “martyr” for the poor masses during the French revolution as his words inspired them greatly, and he was considered a “man of the people”. Robespierre and the influence of Rousseau’s words then led to the Reign of Terror. However, as Robespierre’s ideas were discredited, Rousseau’s were not.

               Rousseau’s ideas are very evident in current republic and democratic ideas as they were a fundamental building blocof a revolutionary political development.

Maximilien Robespierre
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