How did Lenin and Robespierre's views on revolutionary leadership differ?

Essay by kman90High School, 10th gradeB+, August 2006

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Lenin and Robespierre viewed revolutionary leadership in very different ways. Lenin was concerned with creating an organization and strategy that would show the political independence of the working class. He would have not cared what country he was doing it just that it was done somewhere so the world could have an example. Robespierre was absolutely a nationalist, everything he did he was doing for the good of France. He did not care about the workers or any other country.

The two revolutions were very different. The Russian revolution was not a blowout and they could have very easily lost. Lenin's whole effort was to have the proletariat dominate Europe; his means for doing this were to capitalize on the crisis of capitalism. Lenin was able to lead as a dictator in a government that was supposedly ruled by the workers. He was able to keep his control on the country without having to kill too many people.

Lenin was a master at propaganda and he was able to convince the population that his leadership was necessary because of problems that needed solved, this is very similar to Robespierre who was only listened to because of the crisis France was in.

The French revolution was one sided the lower class rose up and easily destroyed the monarchy. Robespierre came to power as the head of the committee of public safety even though he had no other government experience. He was a radical nationalist and believed that his morality was incorruptible. After the tennis court oath Robespierre began to rise in popularity in the Jacobins club. Robespierre leaded by doing, he viciously attacked the views of the Girondists, Hebertists, and the Dantonists. When appointed to the committee of public safety he began to see any attack on his leadership as an...