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Questions about French Revolutionary Wars

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did the French Revolutionary Wars start and end?

The French Revolutionary Wars lasted from 1792 to 1802. They are divided into two periods: the War of the First Coalition from 1792 to 1797, and the War of the Second Coalition from 1798 to 1802, concluding with the Treaty of Amiens.

What was the levee en masse in the French Revolutionary Wars?

The levee en masse was a decree of mass conscription issued by the National Convention on the 23rd of August 1793, the first such general mobilization in human history. By the following summer, it had put approximately 500,000 men in the field for France.

What role did Napoleon Bonaparte play in the French Revolutionary Wars?

Napoleon first gained attention at the siege of Toulon in 1793, where his effective use of artillery helped retake the city. He then commanded the Army of Italy from April 1796, defeating Austrian forces, capturing 150,000 prisoners, and forcing the Treaty of Campo Formio in October 1797. He later led the Egyptian expedition in 1798-1799 and, after returning to France, seized power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire before winning the decisive Battle of Marengo on the 14th of June 1800.

What was the Declaration of Pillnitz and why did it matter?

The Declaration of Pillnitz was issued on the 27th of August 1791 by Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia. It declared the monarchs' interest in the well-being of King Louis XVI and threatened vague but severe consequences if anything should befall him. Though Leopold intended it as a non-committal gesture, French revolutionary leaders treated it as a serious threat, helping push France toward declaring war on Austria and Prussia in April 1792.

What was the Treaty of Campo Formio in the French Revolutionary Wars?

The Treaty of Campo Formio was signed on the 17th of October 1797, ending the War of the First Coalition. Austria ceded the Austrian Netherlands to France, recognized the French border at the Rhine, and agreed with France to partition the Republic of Venice between them.

How did the French Revolutionary Wars end?

The wars ended with the Treaty of Amiens, signed in 1802 between Britain and France. It was the longest period of peace between the two countries during the years 1793 to 1815, though it lasted less than a year before the Napoleonic Wars began with the formation of the Third Coalition.