Anacharsis Cloots

[[File:AduC 050 (Klootz (A., 1755-1794).JPG|right|thumb|165px|I have a Cloot.]]
{{Atheism|1}}
'''Anacharsis Cloots''' (1755-1794), originally known as '''Jean-Baptiste du Val-de-Grâce, baron de Cloots''' was an orator<ref group=note>In fact, he was the self-proclaimed "orator of the human race"</ref> in [[French Revolution|revolutionary France]] and a [[New Atheist]] long before New Atheism was a thing. Originally born into the Prussian nobility, Cloots spent most of his early life 
backpacking through
 traveling Europe, spending his family's money. In 1789, he moved permanently to France and became a naturalized citizen, renounced his titles, and spent the rest of his life embroiled in revolutionary politics before being used as a scapegoat and [[capital punishment|guillotined]] by his fellow revolutionaries. His life reads almost exactly like that of a modern upper-middle class anarcho-syndicalist, only before [[Karl Marx|Marx]], and in an era when neither [[atheism]] nor [[anarchism]] was a "safe" opinion to hold.

==Works==
Although he was primarily known for his fiery speeches, Cloots was also an accomplished pamphleteer. The most coherent expression his philosophy can be found in his ''Bases constitutionnelles de la République du genre humain'' and ''L'Orateur du genre-humain, ou Dépêche du Prussien Cloots, au Prussien Hertzberg.''

===Religious works===
Cloots was infamous in France for his outspoken [[antitheism]]. His publications frequently took the form of parody of popular or influential works of [[apologetics]].<ref group=note>For example, his ''La certitude des preuves du Mahoméisme ou Réfutation de l'examen critique des apologistes de la religion Mahométane'' (The certainty of the proofs of Mohammedanism, or, Refutation of the criticisms of Mohammedan apologists) was a parody of Bergier's '''Certitude des preuves du christianisme'' (Certainty of the proofs of Christianity)</ref> This strongly anti-religious attitude ended up earning him the nickname "The personal enemy of God".

In a 1793 speech to the Convention nationale, Cloots called for the violent destruction of all religions, claiming that religion does more harm than good and would prevent the establishment of a "Universal republic."<ref>''Discours prononcé à la tribune de la Convention Nationale, le 27 brumaire, l'an II de la République une et indivisible''. Douai : Marlier, 1793.</ref>

===Political works===
Anacharsis Cloots was also vehemently anti-royalist,<ref>See his 1792 pamphlet ''La République universelle ou Adresse aux tyrannicides''</ref> and after receiving his citizenship and being voted into the National Convention, voted for the execution of Louis XVI.

Cloots also became an avid [[propaganda|propagandist]] for the revolution. He published a number of pamphlets advocating for a one-world government (under the control of the French) as well as what would now be described as psychological warfare pamphlets to be distributed to other countries (especially those {{wpl|War of the First Coalition|at war}} with France) advocating for [[Anarchism|violent revolution and the overthrow of feudal rulers]].<ref>See 1793's ''Adresse d'Anacharsis Cloots aux sans-culottes bataves'', 1792's ''Bataves opprimés, aux François libérateurs'' and many others</ref>

==Death==
Despite his outspoken patriotism for his adopted country, Robespierre alleged that Cloots was the head of a [[conspiracy theory|secret cabal]] of foreigners bent on overthrowing the French government. Cloots was a relatively high profile individual, whose outspoken atheism and support for a completely secular state contrasted sharply with Robespierre's [[deism|deistic]] perspective and the role he envisioned for his Cult of the Supreme Being. Robespierre was thus able to accomplish two political goals by having Cloots executed: he [[bullshit|"saved the country"]] from a [[xenophobia|foreign menace]] as well as eliminated an influential orator who could have easily turned public opinion against the Reign of Terror.<ref group=note>Spoiler alert: This happened eventually anyways.</ref>

==Influence==
Cloots largely prefigured what would later become major movements. Aside from the previously mentioned parallels with "new" atheism, Cloots also established the basis for much of what would become [[Anarchism|Anarchist philosophy]].<ref name=Bevilacqua>Bevilacqua, A. (2012) Conceiving the Republic of Mankind: The political thought of Anacharsis Cloots. Available [http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01916599.2011.648772 here]</ref> While Cloots is primarily known for his vehement anti-theism and fiery Jacobinism, more modern research has focused on his attempts to broaden the French Revolution beyond an event that affected only France and thereby establish a utopian society.<ref name=Bevilacqua />

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:Left-wing activists]]
[[Category:Philosophers]]
 
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Categories: Authors, France, Left-wing activists, Philosophers