War of the First Coalition
The Declaration of Pillnitz appeared on the 27th of August 1791, a document issued by Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia. It threatened severe consequences if anything happened to Louis XVI or his family. Paris viewed this vague threat as a serious danger to the revolution. Revolutionary leaders denounced the statement immediately. The French monarchy had been watching developments in France with alarm since early 1791. Other European monarchies considered intervening either to support the king or to take advantage of chaos. Disputes continued over Imperial estates in Alsace. French authorities grew concerned about agitation from émigré nobles abroad. These tensions set the stage for conflict that would reshape Europe.
An army under the Duke of Brunswick crossed into French territory on the 19th of August 1792. This force was composed mostly of Prussian veterans who easily took fortresses like Longwy and Verdun. The capture of Verdun occurred on the 2nd of September 1792 and triggered the September massacres in Paris. A stalemate developed at the Battle of Valmy on the 20th of September 1792 against Dumouriez and Kellermann. Highly professional French artillery distinguished itself during this engagement. Although tactical results were unclear, the battle bought time for revolutionaries. It gave a great boost to French morale. Facing a campaign longer than predicted, Prussians decided to retreat from France. They preserved their army rather than risk continued fighting. Two days later the National Convention proclaimed the French Republic.
France introduced a new levy of hundreds of thousands of men beginning a policy called levée en masse. This mass conscription drafted all men aged 18 to 25 into the army in August 1793. The Committee of Public Safety formed on the 6th of April 1793 to respond to internal strife. The Girondin faction sent Citizen Genet to the United States to encourage American entry into the war. The Washington administration issued its 1793 Proclamation of Neutrality threatening legal action against any citizen providing assistance. France suffered reversals like the Battle of Neerwinden on the 18th of March 1793. Internal conflicts included the War in the Vendée which required draconian measures. New French armies counterattacked and repelled invaders while advancing beyond France's borders. These actions allowed mass armies to commandeer war material from enemy territory.
Napoleon Bonaparte succeeded against Sardinia and Austria in northern Italy during 1796 and 1797 near the Po Valley. In the Montenotte Campaign he separated the armies of Sardinia and Austria defeating each one in turn. His army captured Milan and started the Siege of Mantua. Bonaparte defeated successive Austrian armies under Johann Peter Beaulieu, Dagobert Sigmund von Wurmser and József Alvinczi. On the 2nd of February Napoleon finally captured Mantua with Austrians surrendering 18,000 men. Archduke Charles of Austria was unable to stop Napoleon from invading the Tyrol. The Austrian government sued for peace in April. This campaign culminated in the Peace of Leoben and the Treaty of Campo Formio signed October 1797.
Prussia withdrew from active conflict by 1795 after suffering losses in the Low Countries. King Frederick William II concluded the Peace of Basel on the 5th of April 1795 recognizing France's occupation of the left bank of the Rhine. A treaty of peace between France and Spain followed in July. The grand duke of Tuscany had been admitted to terms in February. The coalition fell into ruin leaving France proper free from invasion for many years. Austria ceded Belgium to France through the Treaty of Campo Formio. The ancient Republic of Venice was partitioned between Austria and France. These separate peace agreements dismantled the First Coalition leaving only Britain fighting against France.
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Common questions
When did the Declaration of Pillnitz appear and who issued it?
The Declaration of Pillnitz appeared on the 27th of August 1791. Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia issued this document threatening severe consequences for any harm to Louis XVI or his family.
What happened during the Battle of Valmy in September 1792?
A stalemate developed at the Battle of Valmy on the 20th of September 1792 against Dumouriez and Kellermann. Highly professional French artillery distinguished itself during this engagement, buying time for revolutionaries and boosting their morale before Prussians retreated from France.
How did Napoleon Bonaparte defeat Austria and Sardinia in 1796 and 1797?
Napoleon Bonaparte succeeded against Sardinia and Austria in northern Italy near the Po Valley during 1796 and 1797. He separated their armies in the Montenotte Campaign, captured Milan, and finally took Mantua on the 2nd of February after defeating successive Austrian commanders.
Which treaties ended the War of the First Coalition between 1795 and 1797?
King Frederick William II concluded the Peace of Basel on the 5th of April 1795 recognizing France's occupation of the left bank of the Rhine. The coalition fell into ruin following separate peace agreements including the Treaty of Campo Formio signed October 1797 which ceded Belgium to France.
Where was the only battle fought on British soil during the Revolutionary Wars?
A French invasion force consisting of 1,400 troops from La Legion Noire landed near Fishguard in Wales on the 22nd of February. Tate surrendered unconditionally by the 24th of February making this the only battle fought on British soil during Revolutionary Wars.