18 Ventôse
An CCXXXIV
Guillotine
The physician and deputy Dr. Guillotin called for the humanization of the death penalty in 1789. Until then, it had been carried out in various ways: including hanging, burning, or quartering. In the spirit of equality before the law, Parliament decided that every death sentence would henceforth be uniformly executed by separating the head from the body
. This paved the way for the development of the guillotine. A device whose mere sight still sends chills down the spine of any person today. In fact, the machine brought about comparatively humane executions. If needed, at a minute-by-minute pace. This made the Reign of Terror practically feasible. And that was entirely in line with the ideals of the enlightened revolutionaries. The guillotine became a symbol of the Terror.
JK
1789 - 1977
- October 10, 1789 · Dr. Joseph-Ignace Guillotin proposes a reform of executions in the French National Assembly to make the death penalty less cruel and unequal.
- October 6, 1791 · The penal code establishes that death sentences will be uniformly carried out by beheading. Torture is banned.
- March 20, 1792 · On the proposal of physician Antoine Louis, Parliament approves funding for the construction of an execution machine modeled after the Halifax gibbet.
- April 1792 · German piano maker Tobias Schmidt is commissioned by Guillotin and executioner Sanson to build a prototype of the killing machine.
- April 25, 1792 · First use of the guillotine in Paris to carry out the death sentence of the robber Nicolas Jacques Pelletier.
- January 21, 1793 · Louis XVI is executed by guillotine on the Place de la Révolution in Paris. This spectacular event makes the guillotine known worldwide. During the Revolution, approximately 15,000 death sentences are carried out in the same manner.
- March 10, 1793 · With the establishment of the Revolutionary Tribunal, the number of executions multiplies. Until the enactment of the Terror Law, 1,579 death sentences are pronounced and executed in Paris by guillotine over 15 months.
- June 10, 1794 · Law of 22 Prairial. During the seven weeks this law is in effect, the guillotine is used 1,376 times in Paris.
- July 28, 1794 · On the Place de la Révolution in Paris, Robespierre and 21 of his followers are executed, followed by 71 others the next day, and then 12 more. This marks the end of the Great Terror. The guillotine, however, continues to be used.
- September 10, 1977 · Last use of the guillotine in France. The death sentence of Hamida Djandoubi for murder is carried out in Marseille. Four years later, the death penalty is abolished in France.
Quotes
Although the novelty of the event had attracted many people, the crowd was not satisfied. They saw nothing, it went too quickly, and the people returned home disappointed.
Newspaper report on the first execution with the guillotine at Place de Grève, April 1792
Show my head to the people. It is worth it.
Georges Danton, April 5, 1794
Am I positioned correctly, Mr. Executioner?
Marie-Nicole Bouchard, June 17, 1794
Le Moniteur
Jeudi 22 mars 1792
Quatrieme Année de la Liberté
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