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How did Georges Danton respond when invading armies threatened France in 1792?
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Georges Danton
Georges Danton, portrait by Constance-Marie Charpentier; in the Musée Carnavalet, Paris.
When invading armies threatened France in 1792, Georges Danton responded with vigorous opposition and a call for national mobilization.
After the fall of Longwy to Prussian and Austrian forces in August 1792, Danton strongly objected to a proposal by the minister of the interior, Jean-Marie Roland, to move the government from Paris to Blois. Instead, Danton ensured the Executive Council adopted a proclamation that served as a summons to battle.1
As the threat intensified and Verdun was besieged in early September, Danton delivered a famous speech to the Legislative Assembly to rally the nation. He declared: "To conquer the enemies of the fatherland, we need daring, more daring, daring now and always, and France is saved!"1