THE FRENCH REVOLUTION UNIT 3 AREA OF STUDY 2: CREATING A NEW SOCIETY War and the Radicalisation of the Revolution

Explain how major European powers viewed the Revolution Explain why various groups within the Legislative Assembly choose to go to war Explain why France were initially unsuccessful Describe how failure at war radicalized the Revolution Explain how the Legislative Assembly reacted to radical Parisian crowd Learning Intention: Explain why France went to war (20 April 1792)and how this radicalized the Revolution

How did foreign powers put pressure on the Revolution (August 1791)? British support Revolution in so far as it brings about a Constitutional Monarchy: Were not in favour of a republic Austrians have similar perspective, but demand safety of royal family Declaration of Pillnitz (27 August 1791): Warns that European monarchies may restore Louis XVI’s authority. Ignored by the (then) National Assembly Austrian Emperor Leopold II

Why was the option of International War attractive to the Legislative Assembly? BRISSOTINS: war to prevent foreign governments from harbouring emigrated nobles Others wanted to take revolutionary freedoms to the oppressed people of Europe Encouraged a war the French couldn’t win: foreign armies would crush the Revolution and restore the Monarchy FEULLIANTS: Lafayette hoped war success would improve his damaged popularity War could unify a divided people, distracting attention from political divisions Only Robespierre and the some Jacobins resist, seeing potential of revolution being crushed by foreign forces

Louis picks a fight 14 December 1791: Louis XVI threatens German princes sheltering emigrated nobles. Surprisingly, the foreign powers do nothing and obey Louis by forcing the nobles out

MODELLING GOOD HISTORICAL WRITING… Why did people of nearly all political opinions support the idea of international war as a solution to France’s problems? The prospect of international war during late 1791 was seen by many as a way to solve some of the problems that emerged as a result of the revolution. The Brissotins drove this idea, claiming it was necessary to prevent foreign governments from harbouring emigrated nobles, who may use their political and military experience to crush the revolution. More radical voices from the left of the Legislative Assembly idealistically held the view that War could carry the revolutionary freedoms to oppressed people outside France’s boarders. In addition to this, there was a general awareness that War would draw attention away from the political divisions that were developing in France, and in this way unify the Revolution. War was also seen as a desirable option for counter-revolutionaries. The King and Marie Antoinette encouraged war as they believed that it was a conflict the French could not win this war, and the Austria-Prussian alliance would restore them to their previous position on monarchical rule. Conservative deputies supported the war, as they believed French success would restore faith in the monarchy. Lafayette also saw positives in the prospect of war, believing new military exploits may restore his dwindling popularity with the people

WAR! Austrian Emperor was enraged by the ultimatum Louis XVI presented to German princes (Decenber ). -Legislative Assembly cancels Austrian-French peace treaties -Austria sign treaty with Prussia against revolutionary France (February 1792) March 1792: ‘Encouraged’ by *Brissotins, Louis replaces pacifist ministry with Brissotin members. Austrians mobilise army. Louis declares war on 20 April Only 7 members of assembly vote against it! France Austrian Netherlands Greater Austrian Kingdom Prussia (later became Germany): Allied to Austria *The Brissotins would change their name to the Girondins in September While in favour of the war, but were hesitant in granting political rights to the Sans Cullotes

….AND DEFEAT! Austria, fighting in an alliance with Prussia, were far too strong (French inexperienced). An invasion of the Austrian Netherlands quickly resulted in the French retreating and their killing commander. Why? May 1792: Austrian and Prussian armies invade France and possibility of Revolution being crushed becomes palpable

The Radicalisation of the Revolution: Things get crazy Popular movement are now condemning Brissotins, Girondins and the King. All foreigners placed under police surveillance Fear of coup d’ é tat by Louis XVI. 20,000 troops brought back to Paris to protect revolution. Lafayette moves to prevent activities of radical political clubs: Popular movement suspects he is involved in coup d’ é tat Through municipal meetings, popular movement expresses discontent with concept of active/passive citizens: Call for demonstration on June to defend the Revolution. Supported by Girondins, 8000 march on Legislative Assembly and Tuileries Palace, though they are tempered by the calm response of Louis XVI Robespierre now opposes the Constitution and urges that the King be deposed (29 July 1792)

MODELLING GOOD HISTORICAL WRITING… Why, and how, did the experience of war ‘radicalise’ the revolution? It was essentially fear of losing the war that radicalised the revolution in As news came to the French that not only were they losing the war, but that Austria-Prussian armies were penetrating French borders, panic gripped Paris, leading to suspicion and paranoia. All foreigners were placed under police surveillance. People condemned the Brissotins and Girondins for beginning the war, and the Legislative Assembly explored the idea that the King and his commanders had betrayed the country. Consequently, there was a growing fear of a coup d’état. The Brissotins sought to limit the power of the King and his ministers, though he replied by using his executive powers to remove the Brissotins from power. The popular movement became enraged when Lafayette ordered the Assembly to repress political clubs in Paris. Consequenty, the popular movement, through municipal meetings, criticised the division of active and passive citizens. Through the Cordeliers Club, they organised a march on the Legislative Assembly and later the Tuileries Palace, the Parisian residence of the King (June ). While the King was able to prevent violence on this occasion, the popular movement had taken their power to a higher level, protesting the actions of their Legislative Assembly and their King. The Jacobins joined this radicalisation: On July , their leader Robespierre urged that the King be deposed.

Political response to the radicalisation of the Revolution The National Guard opens up to ‘any person with a pike’ Le Patrie en danger (11 – 22 July 1792): A total war emergency declared Austrian-Prussian Army commander Duke of Brunswick declares people of Paris responsible for safety of the Royal family: Produces outrage and demands for the King’s deposition Paris Commune demands deposition of King: Plan for demonstration against the King August Refer to themselves as Insurrectionary Commune. A working class movement

How did major European powers view the Revolution? (pp.129) Why did the Legislative Assembly chose to go to war?(pp ) Why were France initially unsuccessful?(pp.141 – 142) How did failure at war radicalized the Revolution?(bottom of 142 – 143) What was the Legislative Assembly’s reaction to the radical Parisian crowd?(p.149) Learning Outcome: Explain why France went to war and how this radicalized the Revolution TEXT BOOK REFERENCE

The Radicalisation of the Revolution: Ç a Ira What does it mean? Well, imagine yourself as a moderate member of the legislative assembly, and suddenly you hear a crowd of 8000 average citizens singing the following as they march toward you: It'll be fine, It'll be fine, Aristocrats to the lamp post, we'll hang them! If we don't hang them, we’ll break them If we don't break them, we'll burn them Aristocrats to the lamp-post, we'll hang them! We have no more nobles nor priests. Equality will reign everywhere The Austrian Slave shall follow him And their infernal clique shall go to hell aristocrats to the lamp-post the aristocrats, we'll hang them! And when we'll have hung them all We'll stick a shovel up their arse