Danton, Georges-Jacques, << dahn TOHN or DAN tuhn, zhawrzh zhahk >> (1759-1794), was a great leader of the French Revolution (1789-1799). He helped turn the government of France from a monarchy into a republic and was also partly responsible for the Reign of Terror. During this period of the revolution, many people who publicly disagreed with official policy were executed. Danton himself became a victim of the violence.
Danton was born of middle-class parents on Oct. 26, 1759. His birthplace was Arcis-sur-Aube, France, near Troyes. He became a lawyer and a leader of the Cordeliers Club, one of the most radical political societies in revolutionary Paris. After King Louis XVI made an unsuccessful attempt to flee France in June 1791, the club demanded that Louis be deposed. On Aug. 10, 1792, this goal was achieved when a public uprising drove the king from his throne.
After the uprising, Danton was France’s most powerful national leader. With enemy armies of Austria and Prussia approaching Paris to restore the monarchy, he stirred people to action, declaring, “Boldness, more boldness, and still more boldness, and France will be saved!” In September 1792, Danton was elected to France’s new legislature, the National Convention, which immediately declared France a republic. Along with Maximilien Robespierre, Danton became a leader of the radical political group known as the Mountain. Danton called for extreme measures to control opposition to the revolution and supported an emergency government headed by the Committee of Public Safety. This committee and the National Convention established the stifling laws that began the Reign of Terror.
By the end of 1793, Danton believed the need for such bloody measures had passed. He felt the Convention should relax its rule and end most political executions. Robespierre opposed this easing of policy. Fearing that Danton’s popularity would weaken the authority of the revolutionary government, the Committee of Public Safety ordered his arrest. The Revolutionary Tribunal, a court that Danton had helped create, ignored his eloquent defense and condemned him to death. Danton was guillotined on April 5, 1794.
