Member of an extremist republican club of the French Revolution founded in Versailles 1789. Helped by
Danton's speeches, they proclaimed the French republic, had the king executed, and overthrew the moderate
Girondins 179293. Through the Committee of Public Safety, they began the Reign of Terror, led by
Robespierre. After his execution in 1794, the club was abandoned and the name Jacobin passed into general use for any left-wing extremist.
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