War, revolt and overthrow of the monarchy 1792-93 Flashcards
What was the significance of the war in 1792?
Despite the mistrust of the king, the constitution of 1791 would have survived if not for the outbreak of war with Austria in April 1792.
This event had more decisive and far-reaching results than any other in the whole of the Revolution.
Almost everything that happened in France after 1792 was caused or affected by this decision.
The war finally destroyed the consensus of 1789.
It led directly to the fall of the monarchy, to civil war and the to the Terror.
Who were the Great Powers?
Countries that were more powerful than others on the basis of their military, economic and territorial strength - France, Britain, Prussia, Russia and Austria.
What was foreign reaction to the Revolution?
Leopold 2, leader of the Hasburg Empire, approved of many of the liberal reforms in the revolution and did not want a return to absolutism in France.
He and other sovereigns were pleased at the collapse of French power, and no longer regarded France as a serious rival.
From 1787 Russia and Austria were at war with the Ottoman Empire.
Leopold abandoned the fight in 1790 to concentrate on Belgium where there was a revolt.
He crushed this by the winter and then turned his attention to Poland, where Prussia and Russia were seeking to gain territory.
What is the Declaration of Pillnitz?
The Austrians and Prussians felt they needed to make a gesture in support of Louis.
The other monarchs in Europe were increasingly worried by the events in France because they didn’t want revolution to spread.
How big was the threat of major powers intervening in France?
It was not that serious:
Russia and Prussia were involved in a dispute over Poland, and Austria, while worried about Marie Antionette, would not act alone. Britain was not interested at all, as revolution weakened France.
What was the significance of the Declaration of Pillnitz?
Significant because it appeared to be a threat to interfere in French internal affairs.
Enemies of the king considered the declaration justified their opposition and mistrust of the monarch.
There was no real threat however, as no other powers would join Austria.
In France, the Assembly didn’t debate it and most newspapers ignored it.
Why did Marie Antionette and Louis support war?
Hoped for a war where France would be defeated, and Louis recover his old powers.
The deputies believed that foreign affairs were being run by an Austrian Committee and that secret agents were plotting counter-revolution.
These rumours were well founded.
What is the Austrian Committee?
Influential politicians and close confidants of Marie Antionette who kept in close secret contract with Vienna, the capital of the Hasburg Empire.
Why did army commanders support war?
Army commanders such as Lafayette and Dumouriez also wanted war.
Lafayette had become disillusioned by the failure of the Revolution to produce political stability and wanted the authority of the king to be strengthened.
This could be done by waging a short, successful war against Austria.
He believed it would also increase his prestige and enable him to dictate his own terms to both the king and the Assembly.
Who was Marquis De Lafayette?
The first commander of the National Guard, had brought the king from Versaille to Paris during the October days and was responsible for the massacre of the Champ de Mars.
At the Champs de Mars, he confirmed the popular belief that he was hostile towards ordinary people, and his fall from power was rapid.
Why did the Brissotins support war?
The desire for war resulted in the co-operation of Lafayette and his followers with the Brissotins.
Brissot saw that the king had not really accepted the constitution and that the Court was plotting against Revolution.
He believed war would force the King to reveal his true sympathies: being either for or against the Revolution.
Also believed it would expose any traitors to the Revolution.
Who were the Brissotins?
They were followers of Jaques Brissot, one of the first politicians to support demands for a republic.
After the flight to Varennes he argued for the abolition of the monarchy and the trial of Louis XVI.
They later merged with the Girondins.
How did Brissot gain support for war?
There were 130 Girondins in the Leglislative Assembly so to obtain a majority they needed the support of Lafayette and his followers and the unorganised centre.
Campaign in October 1791 did this, saying:
A successful conflict would rouse enthusiasm for the Revolution and show the permanence of the new regime.
A war would allow France to extend its revolutionary ideals abroad.
The international situation was favourable as the European powers were unlikely to unite against France.
Why did Robespierre oppose war?
Thinks they should be at war with their internal enemies, not abroad.
He argued the real threats came from soldiers like Lafayette who could mislead the public.
He believed the aim of the European powers was to intimidate France, not to invade.
War would be more difficult than Brissot expected, as foreigners would not rise up in support of French invaders.
Robespierre became isolated and unpopular.
How did Austria and Prussia lead to the war?
The Girondins were pressing hard for war but it’s unlikely they would have gained the support of the deputies without them.
February 1792, Austria and Prussia allied to intimidate France by threatening war.
They had great confidence in their armies and expected little resistance.
Why was little resistance expected from France?
France was considered to be weak from internal division.
Mutinies in the army and the loss of so many officers who had fled the country would undermine France’s ability to defend itself effectively.
The bankrupt nature of French finances would limit the purchase of munitions.
It was anticipated that France would have neither the will or the ability to resist Austrian pressure.
How did the Girondins lead to the war?
Austrian threats and Girondin attacks at the Austrian Committee forced the king to dismiss his Feuillant ministers in March 1792.
He appointed a more radical government, with Girondins in.
Both the Assembly and the goverment now wanted war.
How did Austria lead to the war?
In Austria, the cautious Leopold had died and was replaced by the young and impetuous Francis 2.
When rumours reached Austria that Marie Antionette was to be put on trial, it decided reluctantly on war.
How was war declared?
On April 1792, France declared war.
Only 7 deputies voted against it.
The French hoped to only fight against Austria but Prussia declared war on France in June, and took the lead in the campaign under commander in chief Brunswick.
What was the Revolutionary war?
Fought by France against other European powers.
Would last 10 years until the Treaty of Amiens 1802.
Results in the loss of 1.4 million french people.
Dramatically alters the direction of the Revolution.
What was the military crisis?
The French army was not prepared.
Over half of its 12,000 officers had emigrated.
There were 150,000 arms in 1791, but a combination of desertion and revolutionary propoganda destroyed the discipline of the regular army, while new volunteers were poorly trained and equipped.
What did the military crisis do?
When French forces advanced in the Austrian Netherlands, they were faced with determined oppostion.
The army panicked and retreated to Lille, where they murdered their commander.
Whole units deserted.
By the end of May all field-commanders advised that peace should be made immediately.
The allies counter-attacked and invaded France.
Treason and traitors were to blame for defeat - Marie Antionette had sent details of French military plans to the Austrians.
What were the laws Louis vetoed?
There was oppostion from refractory priests and counter revolutionaries.
The Girondins had to satisfy demands for action against traitors.
On 27 May, the Assembly passed a law for the deportation of refractory priest.
Another law disbanded the King’s National Guard.
Another set up a camp for 20,000 Federes from the provinces to protect Paris from invasion and from a coup by the generals, especially Lafayette.
Why did Louis veto the laws?
On 19th June Louis vetoed the laws.
Louis dismissed Girondin members who protested and Dumouriez resigned soon after.
He did not want revolutionary figures in Paris.
There was an expectation of a military coup against the king.
