One of the important figures in the late 18th-century French revolution toppling the monarchist government was Georges Danton, a revolutionary from France. His actual contribution to the French Revolution is still debated by historians today due to a lack of reliable historical sources. France was insolvent and on the verge of a revolution in the late 18th century. Georges was a member of the French bourgeois and, like hundreds of others in his class, supported the revolutionaries’ goal of establishing a democratic government in France. One of the key figures in ending the monarchy and bringing the revolution to a happy conclusion was Danton. He supported the king’s execution in 1793, and in April of that same year, Danton was appointed to lead the “Committee of Public Safety.” His downfall, though, was just as swift as his ascent, and he wound up alienating members of his own party. His detractors charged him with showing favoritism to those who opposed his cause. In 1794, he was so put to death. Since most of the information we know about him comes from secondary sources, we still debate his exact intentions and motivations.
Early Childhood & Life
On October 26, 1759, Georges Danton was born in Arcis-sur-Aube, in northeastern France, into an upper middle-class family. He was conceived by Mary Camus and Jacques Danton. He came from a well-educated and reputable family of lawyers in the area. Animal attacks on him as a child left him with facial scars and minor abnormalities. Smallpox caused more harm.
Danton, who pursued a legal profession in the same manner as his father, moved to Paris in 1780 in search of more favorable employment prospects. He began an internship there with a reputable attorney and picked up some insider knowledge. After beginning his apprenticeship, Danton was chosen to join the Paris bar four years later.
At the beginning of his career, Danton never really took his profession seriously because he wasn’t all that in love with it. He lost business because of his laid-back demeanor and was frequently bankrupt and in debt as a result. He shared the strong disapproval of King Louis XVI’s policies shared by the majority of his contemporaries. Danton wanted to be a member of the movement that would make the new liberal France a reality.
In 1787, he wed Antoinette Charpentier. She came from a wealthy family, and Danton paid off his obligations with the dowry he received from his wife’s father. Three sons were born into the marriage, although the first one passed away in infancy. Danton began searching for activities to engage him after growing weary of practicing law, and he eventually joined the “Cordeliers Club” as a result. He quickly was named its president. At the same time, as its rulers awaited their final end, France was sinking into a sea of uncertainty.
Revolution of Georges Danton
The “popular concept,” which held that France had to become a democratic state, was the focus of the “Cordeliers Club,” a collection of affluent French gentlemen. They were among the first groups of people to accuse the French aristocracy of being against the concept of freedom. They shouted the loudest and exhorted other liberals to act harshly against the monarchy.
The former king and queen of France made a perilous and fruitless attempt to depart the nation after observing severe public upheaval. After being apprehended, they were sent to the “Tuileries Palace,” where they spent some time under house imprisonment before having their destiny decided. Marie Antoinette, the French queen, suggested that the revolutionaries establish a government that would coexist with the monarchy.
The majority of aristocracy and distinguished military figures like Lafayette approved the moderate constitutional compromise that the queen proposed. The ensuing terrible massacre, known as the “Massacre of Champ de Mars,” which happened in 1791, was the result. The national guards opened fire on the gathering protesting the royal decree, instantly killing hundreds of people. Danton fled to England out of fear for his life and a powerful anti-revolutionary wave sweeping through France.
On behalf of his party, he was given the position of a subordinate in the “Paris Commune” when he returned to France. Austria was at the point of an economic collapse when the “Girondist” government, which was still in power as a constitutional monarchy, declared war on it in April 1792.
Due to his prior experience as a lawyer, Danton was transferred to the “Ministry of Justice” in 1792, following the formal end of the French monarchy. He made a number of contentious choices, the cruelest of which allegedly had Danton’s approval and led to the execution of thousands of Austrian army prisoners. Danton could have halted the massacres if he had wanted to, but there has been no conclusive evidence of his direct involvement in them.
He was appointed the head of the “National Convention” because of his oratory prowess and leadership abilities. In addition, he established the “Revolutionary Tribunal” and the “Committee of Public Safety” and cast a vote in favor of the king’s execution. While initially opposed to war, he quickly began to give ferocious speeches and exhort audiences to be “bolder.” Before long, he switched sides once more. He came out against his erstwhile ally Maximilien de Robespierre in the convention.
Robespierre and Danton both had honorable positions on the “Committee of Public Safety,” but their political ideas gradually diverged. Midway through 1793, Danton’s opinions shifted away from those of his political party and toward anti-radicalism. Danton sought to put a stop to the uprising and make peace with their adversaries all throughout Europe. The ‘Committee of Public Safety’ was led by Maximilien and other individuals who disagreed with Danton’s ideas on nation-building. Danton left his position as a result of this argument.
The “Reign of Terror,” as it became known in history, was then launched by Robespierre. He killed non-revolutionary individuals, which profoundly distressed Danton. He took many weeks apart from France’s political scene before returning in late 1793. Danton began to oppose the government, pleading with them to put an end to the executions and the uprising. He requested the restoration of the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen” and peace with other countries.
Danton’s rivals in the party were vehemently opposed to him and his supporters, accusing them of accepting bribes and seeking, if not the monarchy, then at least the position of leadership in the government. Danton’s involvement in unethical practices was not supported by any tangible proof. He was, however, charged with accepting payments and imposing anti-revolutionary beliefs on his adherents.
Execution and Trial
Georges Danton and many of his supporters were detained in March 1794 and later charged with corruption. They were also accused of making serious attempts to reinstate the monarchy in France. At Paris’s “Revolutionary Tribunal,” the trial got underway.
Being a smart guy and a former lawman, Danton was able to convince the judges that he was not guilty of the offenses for which he was being held responsible. He continued by accusing Robespierre of numerous crimes and providing proof against him.
However, the “Convention” made use of its authority and was successful in getting the tribunal judges to find Danton guilty. The judges were forced to execute Danton and his supporters after hearing the “warning” from the “Convention.”
Danton and 14 of his supporters were put to death on April 5 at the execution. Before being severed from his body, he allegedly muttered, “My only regret is that I am departing before that rat Robespierre.”
Estimated net worth
The estimated net worth of Georges Danton is unknown.