In overstory we continue preparing for our readers summaries on some of the most important topics of the Contemporary history. We have already spoken of the early days of the French Revolutionand now we will go ahead a few more years to analyze another important aspect of this historical process: the so-called “wars revolutionary”, who faced France with the main monarchies European.
As you know, the French Revolution is a great milestone in history, since it meant the deepest break ever seen in the absolute power of the monarchy, the irruption of the bourgeoisie in politics and the end of feudal rights. But this was a local process, which occurred in a Europe made up of many others monarchies of great power. The inevitable consequence was a long war between the supporters of one and another system of government.
In 1792 – three years after the outbreak of the French Revolution– Austria declared the war to the French government. Shortly after other states joined forming a First Coalition (1792-1797) which was made up of Austria, England, Prussia, Spainthe United Provinces of the Netherlandsthe Kingdom of Sardinia and the Kingdom of Naples.
The First Coalition attacked France from various fronts, invading various regions. In turn, the anti-revolutionary forces staged rebellions inside France. Suspicion soon arose that the King Louis XVI was favorable to the enemies, and the legislative Assembly (main government body at the time) suspended the constitutional functions of the king.
From then on (between 1792 and 1795) he governed the National Conventiona constituent assembly under the control of the Jacobinslinked to the downside sector bourgeoisie (later the Committee of Public Salvation as a governing body). Shortly after Louis XVI he was executed, which caused the definitive alarm of the other countries before the radicalization of the French.
The relatively young revolutionary government He had to make a profound transformation in his army to face the War of the First Coalition. He resorted to more drastic methods: the so-called “total war”. A mass conscription was made throughout the country in which each citizen was virtually a soldier and a war economy and rationing was established. The result was a national and popular army.
While the war outside, inside the political conflicts were always virulent. In 1794 there was a coup (called “Termidor”) that displaced the Jacobins from power and executed its main leaders. The upper bourgeoisie once again regained control of the government, and through the Convention was sanctioned Constitution of 1795 that determined as executive power a directory composed of 5 people.
The war continued its course. In successive campaigns, the French managed to expel the invaders, and then continued to advance. They managed to extend the domain of the revolution outside of France, which led to the establishment of the bavarian republic (satellite state of the revolution). Some of the opponents – first Prussia Y Spainand later on Austria– They agreed through different treaties the end of hostilities. In 1797, the First Coalition was dissolved and only Britain was still standing war against him revolutionary government.
By 1797, France had conquered vast territories: the Netherlands, Rhineland, Switzerland, Savoy, Liguria, some areas of Spain and all Italy. In these campaigns, the new army he had given opportunity for promotion thanks to merit. One of the young soldiers who stood out thanks to his victories was none other than Napoleon Bonaparte, who would soon take the reins of the entire France.
Sources:
Wikipedia
ALONSO, ELIZALDE and VAZQUEZ. History. Europe modern and colonial America.
HOBSBAWN, Eric. The era of the Revolution, 1789-1848.
Images:
1. Battle of Wattignies on wikipedia
2. Thionville site on wikipedia
3. Napoleon on campaign in 1796, on wikipedia
Video:
ineses100 on youtube