4. War, Revolt and Overthrow of the Monarchy Flashcards
Who supported the war (3 main arguments)?
- Marie Antoinette - believed that armed force created France’s problems, so only armed force can solve them.
- Army commanders (eg. Lafayette and Dunouriez) - wanted the authority of the king to strengthen, so that their prestige could increase as generals, so they could dictate their own terms to the King and Assembly.
- Brissotins - wanted a republic and believed the war would reveal the King’s sympathy (for or against the revolution) and any traitors to the revolution.
How did Jacques Brissot obtain a majority for the calling of war?
He waged a campaign in October 1791. The cases for this were:
- War would rouse enthusiasm for the revolution, and show the permanence of the regime.
- Revolutionary ideas could be spread abroad.
- French armies would have the support of their enemies subjects.
- European powers were unlikely to unite against France - Russia was occupied with Poland, and England would only join if directly threatened.
What was the opposition to war?
Politicians (eg. Robespierre) argued that the main threat lay with generals (eg. Lafayette) who still had popular support to mislead the public. He also argued that war would be more complicated than Brissot suggested, because foreign subjects would not rise up in support.
As a result of this, he became an isolated and unpopular figure.
Why did Austria and Prussia expect little resistance from the French army (3)?
- France was considered weak from internal division.
- The loss of army officers (émigrés) would undermine France’s ability to defend itself.
- France’s nature of finances would limit the per chase of munitions.
Why did the king dismiss the Feuillant ministers in March 1792, and what was the consequence of this?
Austrian threats and Girondin attacks on the ‘Austrian committee’ led to their dismissal.
As a result, Louis appointed a more radical government with some Girondins. The new ministers obeyed the assembly. The government and the assembly now wanted war, and with the new foreign minister being Dumouriez, this was allowed to happen.
What did the Austrians and Prussians do after the flight of Varennes?
In 1791, the Austrians and Prussians wanted to support the king by issuing the Declaration of Pillnitz. This was significant, because it appeared to be a threat to France’s internal affairs. However, in reality, there was no threat, because other powers (eg. Britain) wouldn’t join). The assembly didn’t debate it and newspapers ignored it.
Who declared war and when?
The French on 20th April 1792, only seven deputies voted against it. The French hoped to fight only Austria, however Prussia declared war in June and took the lead in the campaign under the Commissioner-in-Chief the Duke of Brunswick.
What did the Revolutionary war result in?
- The loss of 1.4 million french people
- The change in the direction of the revolution
- It would last 10 years, until the Treaty of Amiens in 1802
How did the military crisis influence the overthrow of the monarchy?
Marie Antoinette had sent details of French military plans to the Austrians. This caused tension especially when French forces advanced into the Austrian Netherlands, were faced with determined opposition and were forced to retreat to Lille. This was due to half of France’s 12000 army officers had emigrated and the discipline of the regular army was destroyed by desertion and revolutionary propaganda.
How did royal vetoes influence the overthrow of the monarchy?
Louis refused to approve laws passed by the Assembly on 27th May 1792. These laws were to deport refractory priests (who wanted to restore the authority of the Church and monarchy) and to disband the King’s Guard from the provinces. When Roland protested against the king, Louis dismissed him and other Girondin ministers on 19th June.
How did the rise of the sans culottes influence the overthrow of the monarchy?
Louis’ weakness, and the strength of the sections, was exploited by the armed demonstration of the leaders of the Paris Sections on 20th June in response to the royal vetoes, and for the anniversary of the Flight to Varennes and the Tennis Court Oath. The assembly recognised the growing importance of the sans culottes.
What tension in Paris led to the overthrow of the monarchy(2)?
Fédérés, national guardsmen from the provinces, were militant revolutionaries and republicans. Their patriotism was displayed in their war song, LA MARSEILLE, (sung by the fédérés of Marseille on the March to the capital-with numbers of 5000, calling for the removal of the king). Robespierre, who was cooperating with the central committee of the fédérés, did a speech on 29 July proposing:
- To abandon the constitution of 1791
- The overthrow of the monarchy
- To establish a National Convention replacing the LA.
- The forced removal of departmental authorities opposing Republic.
The Brunswick manifesto, issued by the commander in chief of the Austrio-Prussian armies on 1st August, had four terms:
1. To ensure the welfare of France, and not to conquer any territory.
2. To restore the liberty of Louis and family
3. Make it paris’ responsibility to look after the king
4. If the Tuileries palace was attacked, then the joint A-P army would inflict ‘an exemplary vengeance’ on the city.
Frenchmen were infuriated with this intervention, with many royalists turning against the king. On 3rd August, the mayor of Paris went to the LA and demanded the abolition of the monarchy on behalf of 47/48 sections. The assembly refused, and this convinced many that a rising was necessary.
How did the attack on the Tuileries have an effect on the abolition of the monarchy?
On 9th August, the sans culottes set up a revolutionary commune in the Hôtel de Ville, expelling the city council. Hébert was amongst its leaders, who had links with the sections and the fédérés. On 10th August 1792, several thousand men from the National Guard (who were now open to passive citizens) and 2000 fédérés marched on the Tuilleries. The palace was defended by 3000 troops (2000 of whom were the National Guard). The King sought refuge for his family in the Assembly. The National Guardsmen defending the Tuileries joined the crowd and entered the courtyards. The Swiss (defending the palace) were told to cease fire. This meant that 600 Swiss were massacred, 90 fédérés, and 300 Parisians were killed. The rebels invaded the Assembly and forced it to recognise the new revolutionary commune. The deputies had to hand the king to the commune, who imprisoned him in the Temple. They also agreed to an election of a National Convention that was to draw up a new, democratic constitution. In Paris, the commune was in charge, but the rest of france only recognised the Assembly’s authority.
Who was in charge after the overthrow of the monarchy?
The Girondins were in charge after the Constitutional Monarchists went into hiding. They then appointed new ministers (including Danton to please the sans culottes).
What did the Assembly do before the National Convention replaced it?
Passed several radical measures:
Refractory priests who were still in France were deported to the French colony of Guiana.
Abolition, without compensation, of all feudal rights (unless title deeds brought up specific rights). This was an attempt to win over the peasantry who didn’t support the overthrow of the monarchy.
House to house searches for suspects and arms.
Divorse was legalised. Registration for births, deaths and marriages were made a state responsibility rather than a church one.