Biography of Georges Jacques Danton

Believe and dare

26 October 1759
5 April 1794
Georges Jacques Danton was born at Arcis-sur-Aube (France) on 26 October 1759. His father Jacques is an attorney from the tempestuous past: after the loss of his wife and five children from his first marriage, marries Marie-Jeanne-Bestelot, mother of Georges, with whom he had seven children. Georges is the fifth child of the couple, and stands now for the lively character and disinclined to study, to which prefers outdoor raids. Still managed to graduate in law at the University of Reims in 1785.
After graduation he employs in Paris as a Prosecutor. His work does not do it enough, so the young Georges resorts to the help of his parents. Actually spends his time reading the encyclopedia and to attend caffés. It's just one of those who knows the young Antoinette-Gabrielle, daughter of the wealthy owner of the café Parnasse, Jérome-Francois Charpentier. The two agree on dowry, and as is the practice of the time, Georges manages to pay the Office of lawyer King's advice. Open a new studio in Cour de Commerce-where today stands a statue in his honour-and marries Antoinette.
It's the year 1787. Until 1790 full-time deals his lawyer following well twenty-two causes, nearly all have ended in success. His life seems to have turned into that of a peaceful bourgeois lawyer: in 1788, the first born son, François, who died unfortunately a year later. The first child is followed by two others, always male: Antoine and François Georges. In France already hatching the first revolutionary movements and Danton's drag, convinced that to change things requires a well-defined program and aimed at achieving of goals circumscribed and discoverable.
His program will include: extension of certain rights to the poorest people, the end of the war as soon as possible through a work of negotiation, and restoring order through the establishment of a strong central Government. The first record of his participation in the revolutionary events dates back to 13 July 1789 (the day before the storming of the Bastille), when in the former convent of Cordoglieri harangue the crowd, invoking it to arms for the defense of revolutionary claims. In the convent of Cordoglieri has created the district, which also operates a printing press where are published magazines such as: "the friend of the people" of Marat. The President of this district, which assumes the function of a Government almost parallel to the official ones, it's the same Danton.
Gets involved in the storming of the Bastille on July 14 1789, and is one of the harshest critics of the Municipality and the Government of the Marquis de Lafayette. Asks loudly for the establishment of a Republican government, and his fiery speeches are considered the cause of popular unrest over with the massacre of the Champ de Mars. Because of its activity the police stood out an arrest warrant against him that forces him to flee for a few months in England. Thanks to an amnesty can return home at the end of 1791.
So as not to attract the attention of law enforcement remains muted, although its popularity in revolutionary circles remains unaffected. After the invasion of the Tuileries is elected President of the electoral district of Théâtre Française and pronounce the famous speech in which, first, theorizes the legal equality of all citizens. Danton also participates actively in the conspiracy that will implement the overthrow of the monarchy on 10 August 1792. It is now convinced that the existence of the monarchy is a way too big to implement revolutionary demands. After the fall of the monarchy was appointed Minister of Justice and become a part of the Executive Committee.
Later in 1793 gets also a member of the Committee of public safety. Acquired the charge, agrees to terminate the war between France and other European countries, carrying out an intense series of diplomatic manoeuvres. Gets the election to the Revolutionary Tribunal and begins to act like a true dictator. Danton becomes convinced that the success of the revolution also depends on the ability to quell internal dissent. In this way, unfortunately, the sympathies of the alien, which begins to look to Robespierre and other Jacobins as to characters better suited to the role of leader.
Danton is not reelected, and leadership passes to Robespierre. In October 1793, retired to his birthplace of Arcis before returning to Paris next month following the entreaties of his friends worried the ferocity of Robespierre. Among the victims there are Robespierre Hebert and his followers, to crush which receives the support of Danton. After the Suppression of the followers of Hebert, the same Danton, though, is called before the Revolutionary Tribunal and charged with antirivoluzionarie activity. Despite the heartfelt defense is condemned and guillotined: Georges Danton dies so on 5 April 1794. It is said that dying has asked the executioner to show his head to the people. Article contributed by the team of collaborators.