Historical Figures

Georges Jacques Danton

A historical figure of the French Revolution, Danton entered the revolutionary movement not only by being one of the founders of the Cordeliers club in 1790, but above all by participating in the insurrectionary Commune of Paris on August 10, 1792. Thus, he put pressure on the Assembly in order to obtain the forfeiture of the king and the creation of a provisional executive council at a time when the country is subject to external threats.

The monarchy overthrown, he was appointed Minister of Justice. He organizes the defense of the country and establishes the Extraordinary Criminal Court, the tool of Terror. Elected deputy for Paris, he joined the Montagnards. Placed at the head of the newly created Committee of Public Safety, he ousted the Girondins before resigning and being replaced by Robespierre in the summer of 1793.

From 1794, he dismissed the Hébertists, who were deemed too extremist, by collaborating with Robespierre. However, he wants the Terror to end. Now deemed “indulgent” (a term that designates those who questioned the usefulness of the Terror), he was eliminated by Robespierre. He was arrested, tried, then executed on April 5, 1794 with his supporters.

1759 - 1794

Status

Politician

Revolutionary


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