The Progress of the War

Question 1

When was a decree for the ‘levée en masse’ made by the CPS? - Progress of the War

Answer 1

The ‘levée on masse’ was decreed on the 21st August 1793.

Question 2

What did the ‘levée on masse’ propose? (Think different age groups/genders) - Progress of the War

Answer 2

The ‘levée on masse’ proposed that all men without wives or children immediately give military service, married men begin to forge supplies, women serve in hospitals and the old should encourage republican ideals to soldiers.

Question 3

France were in greater need of supplies and munitions than more soldiers. Which 2 individuals were in charge of legislating to provide this? - Progress of the War

Answer 3

Lazare Carnot and Saint-Just were in charge of coordinating France’s military and supplying them with goods and munitions.

Question 4

How many men were in France’s military by 1794? - Progress of the War

Answer 4

France had 1 million men in their military by 1794.

Question 5

What was Carnot and Saint-Just’s attitude towards traditional generals? What action did they take against them? - Progress of the War

Answer 5

Carnot and Saint-Just didn’t trust the aristocratic generals associated with the Ancien Regime, replacing them with younger, non-noble generals who were committed to the revolution. These noble generals were often executed.

Question 6

How many generals were executed in 1793 following the command of Carnot and Saint-Just? - Progress of the War

Answer 6

1793 saw the execution of 17 generals on the orders of Saint-Just and Carnot.

Question 7

Who are 2 examples of generals introduced to the war effort by Carnot and Saint-Just following the removal of aristocratic generals? - Progress of the War

Answer 7

Carnot and Saint-Just introduced generals such as Hoche and Jourdan to lead France’s military conquests.

Question 8

In what month/year did the Siege of Dunkirk begin, Republican troops crush Marseille rebels and the British invade Toulon? - Progress of the War

Answer 8

The Siege of Dunkirk, republicans crushing Marseille rebels and the invasion of Toulon took place in August 1793.

Question 9

In what month/year did the Siege of Dunkirk end? - Progress of the War

Answer 9

The Siege of Dunkirk was ended in September 1793.

Question 10

In what month/year did Lyons surrender to Republicans, Republicans beat Vendéean rebels at Cholet and Republican troops recapture Marseilles? - Progress of the War

Answer 10

Republicans recaptured Marseilles, defeated Vendéean rebels and recaptured Lyons in October 1793.

Question 11

In what month were the Vendéean rebels ultimately defeated at Le Mans and Republican forces entered Toulon? - Progress of the War

Answer 11

Vendéean rebels were defeated at Le Mans and Republican forces entered Toulon in December 1793.

Question 12

How did the balance of power change in the Convention following the Girondin expulsion of June 1793? - Progress of the War

Answer 12

The balance of power was heavily weighted towards the Montagnard faction within the Convention following the Girondin expulsion, leading to Robespierre and Jacobins dominating Government.

Question 13

What was the role of the CPS? - Progress of the War

Answer 13

The CPS was intended to facilitate the measures decided on by the Executive Council.

Question 14

In what 2 ways could the CPS assert its dominance over the Executive Council? - Progress of the War

Answer 14

The CPS could suspend the orders of the Executive Council if it believed they acted contrary to the national interest, whilst any CPS provision with support of 2/3 of members had to be carried out by the Executive Council.

Question 15

How was the membership of the CPS supposed to operate? - Progress of the War

Answer 15

The CPS‘ membership was supposed to change once a month, yet this did not happen.

Question 16

Which individuals are examples of CPS members who became entrenched and increasingly powerful within its membership? - Progress of the War

Answer 16

CPS members such as Robespierre, Saint-Just and Carnot became increasingly dominant within its membership, allowing them to overpower other groups within the Executive.

Question 17

How was the Convention supposed to moderate the actions of the CPS? How did this process turn out in practice? - Progress of the War

Answer 17

The CPS was intended to report to the Convention weekly for scrutiny and accountability, yet in practice this session accounted for the rubber-stamping of Executive decisions.

Question 18

Who murdered Marat and when? How did this impact the actions of the Sans-Culottes? - Progress of the War

Answer 18

Marat was murdered in July 1793, with this increasing discontent and anger amongst the Sans-Culottes, leading to riots which were also caused by grain shortages and unemployment.

Question 19

When were the armées révolutionnaires established? Who were they and what were they tasked with? - Progress of the War

Answer 19

The armées révolutionnaires were established on the 9th September 1793 as Sans-Culotte paramilitary groups intended to force farmers to surrender grain, attacking hoarders. They were paid and armed.

Question 20

When was the Law of Suspects passed? What did this determine? - Progress of the War

Answer 20

The Law of Suspects was passed on the 17th September, determining that the definition of a suspect would be changed to allow people to be arrested on account of conduct, relationships, words or writings.

Question 21

When was the New Law of the General Maximum introduced? What did this determine? - Progress of the War

Answer 21

The New Law of the General Maximum was introduced on the 29th September 1793, replacing the earlier (ineffective) law on price controls. It created a maximum price for grain, flour, meat, oil, soap etc. as well as WAGE CONTROLS.

Question 22

When did General Dumouriez defect to the Austrians? - Progress of the War

Answer 22

General Dumouriez defected to the Austrians in April 1793.