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 18 scale bourgeoisie, and who were even suspected of conspiring together with the royalist generals (Lafayette, for instance) because they needed them in order to put through their definitely bourgeois republic against the "common" people. This was treason against the austere principle of the Revolution, which was the object of Robespierre's solicitude, and their heads fell. But the Girondistes did not fail to make use of their strong economic background in the industrial cities of the provinces; the insurrections in La Vendée come to their aid: this is the moment when revolution shifts to counter-revolution, a shift brought about by the most powerful and therefore victorious party; a party guiding the destinies of the Revolution, a party which, after its victory over absolutism, is obliged to limit itself on the Left against a further prosecution of the Revolution by the lower strata.

The fall of Robespierre on 9 Thermidor (July 27, 1794) was equivalent to counter-revolution, a victory of the bourgeoisie over the proletariat. The fall of Robespierre ends the existence of the Club of the Jacobins.

Robespierre is at the pinnacle of his power when he is President of the Constituent Assembly, Chairman of the Jacobins, and the most important head