Principles

The French Revolution was ostensibly sparked by the conditions under which the French people suffered for many years. The monarchy and the aristocrats were living grand lives of opulence and comfort while the average Frenchman was poor and needy and miserable. And underscoring these reasons for the Revolution were the principles by which its leaders were compelled to take their fellow citizens. The overarching ideology that was an underlying factor during the revolution gave the rebellion strength and consistency. Without the high-minded ideas of man, a revolution like that which took place in France could have never been victorious or even taken place.

The point of conflict between the two main leaders of the French Revolution as depicted in "Danton's Death" - Georges Danton and Robespierre - is that their principles are so vastly different that it leads to a schism that is too wide and deep to...