f) War With Austria & Prussia 1792 -1793 Flashcards
Why was Marie Antoinette’s brother not initially interested in the events of France?
Leopard II was more interested in east Europe and his territory in modern day Belgium
When was the Declaration of Pillnitz, and what did it state?
27 August 1791 - Leopold II & F. William III of Prussia
Demanded the return of Louis XVI’s powers
Implied that force might be used
Was not taken seriously in France
Who supported war in France and why?
- The Royal Family - wanted a military defeat to restore the absolute monarchy
- Army Generals - top generals (Lafayette) wanted a war as a swift victory would increase their power
- Girondins / Brissotins - they thought a war with Austria would force Louis to reveal his true feelings about the revolution
Who opposed war with Austria?
Prominent figure Robespierre - thought that the real threat to the revolution was internal
When did the Austrians and Prussians threaten war with France?
February 1792
Why was Leopold’s death in March 1792 a disaster for Marie Antoinette?
He was succeeded by Francis II and he was reluctant to declare war
When did France declare war on Austria?
20 April 1792
When did Prussia join the war against France?
May 1792
How long did the war last?
10 years
Why did the French have a poor start at the beginning of the war?
- Soldiers were badly trained, poorly led and exposed to propaganda and there were mass desertions
- Marie Antoinette was sending French battle plans to the Austrians
- France internally was chaotic, 8,000 gathered at the palace in June to protest
- In August 1792 Lafayette joined the Austrians
- The Prussians captured French territory
- Verdun, key territory, was about to fall
When did ‘the Terror’ arguably start?
The terror campaign arguably had its roots in the summer of 1792
Why did the Terror arguably begin in the summer of 1792?
There was a problem with overcrowded prisons
Almost 1,500 political, religious and criminal prisoners were executed in September in Paris by the Sans-Culottes
The authorities stood back
What happened at Valmy in September 1792?
The French army defeated the Prussians
The revolution was saved
By November, the French had defeated the Austrians where, and what did they thus occupy?
At Jemappes and they thus were able to occupy Belgium
When was the War of the first Coalition and why did it occur?
February 1793 - Britain, Holland, Spain, Austria, Prussia, Piedmont
The Great Powers were disturbed by French plans to expand their territory
Britain in particular was concerned about France’s interest in the Netherlands
Spanish royals were angry about the execution of their relative Louis XVI
What were the failures of France’s 1793 campaign?
- French lost the first battle against Holland, followed by defeats in Belgium
- General Dumouriez began to side with the Austrians as he couldn’t get the army to support his plans
What were the successes of the 1793 campaign?
- Army reforms under Carnot
- New rules for army were established
- Reorganisation of the army was successful (defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Wattignies in October 1793)
What was the Vendee Rebellion and why did it occur?
March 1793
Angered by conscription and new taxes, but were also opposed to the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (all pro-Catholic rebels)
The rebels undertook surprise attacks on gov officials
The rebellion was a distraction, but not a major threat to the revolution
What economic problems did France face due to the war?
The cost of war compelled the gov to print more paper money
This led to increased prices
Food shortages provoked rioting among the sans-culottes
