Georges Danton

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"We need audacity, and yet more audacity, and always audacity, and France shall be saved!"

―Georges Danton during a speech, 1792.

Georges Jacques Danton (1759 – 1794) was a French lawyer and a leading figure of the early French Revolution. He was a moderate Jacobin, and eventually started turning against Jacobin leader Maximilien de Robespierre. He was guillotined in 1794 on accusations of venality and leniency to enemies of the revolution.

Biography

Revolutionary beginnings

At the beginning of the revolution, Danton held little influence. After failing to be elected to the Legislative Assembly, he was given a subordinate position in the Paris Commune. He aligned himself with the Jacobin Club, eventually becoming a part of The Mountain. Danton also became an ally of the Assassin Order at some point. Following King Louis XVI's capture after the flight to Varennes, Danton called for his execution. However, he would later retract this position and simply call for his abdication.

Rise to power

Although Danton's role in overthrowing of King Louis on 10 August 1792 is unclear, he became the French Minister of Justice that day. He took on Fabre d'Églantine, who had been involved in shady dealings with him, as his secretary.

The Girondist government had declared war on Austria and Prussia in the spring of 1792. The forces of the Duke of Brunswick threatened Paris, and the Comte and Vicomte de Gambais led an Austrian spyring which leaked intelligence on the city's defenses. On 2 September, Danton spoke before the National Convention, calling for "more audacity" in the face of overwhelming odds against Austria.

Later that day, Danton pretended to be a member of the spyring, being approached by one of the Austrian spies. Danton then called on his guards to arrest the spy. The spy soon eliminated the guards however, and Danton dueled with him. At this time, Arno Dorian and a team of Assassins arrived and killed the spy. After holding off a group of attackers, the Assassins were directed to steal documents from the spies before they could reach a courier. The Assassins then killed the Comte and Vicomte de Gambais, along with their accomplices.

Danton's speech was credited with rallying the troops. On 20 September, the French Army defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Valmy.

Gallery

• 
  A painting of Danton from 1792
• 
  An 1841 engraving of a 1793 painting of Danton

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Unity