April 20, 1792
On April 20, 1792, France declared war on Austria, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition. At the time, France was governed by the Legislative Assembly and aimed to expand its revolutionary ideals. They also sought to address perceived threats proactively, because they had seen what happened to other countries, such as during the Batavian Revolution.
The French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of military conflicts between the French Republic and various European monarchies. Initiated by France's revolutionary government, they aimed to defend and spread the ideals of the French Revolution. The wars saw battles against different coalitions, including powers like Austria, Prussia, Britain, and Spain. These conflicts concluded with the Treaty of Amiens, which provided only a brief pause before the onset of the Napoleonic Wars.
The French Revolutionary Wars
Inspired by the Enlightenment and democratic principles, the French Revolutionary Wars aimed to spread these concepts throughout Europe, not just in France. This movement prompted numerous countries to foster patriotic sentiments and democratic movements that persisted beyond the Revolutionary Wars into the nineteenth century.The War of the First Coalition
1792 > 1797
The War of the First Coalition was the first major effort by multiple European powers to contain the spread of the French Revolution and restore the French monarchy. The coalition included Austria, Prussia, Britain, Spain, the Dutch Republic amongst others. The War ended with great victory for the French, most notably the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
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1792
20 /4
The Declaration of War of France against Austria
Diplomatic action -
1792
25 /7
The Brunswick Manifesto
Diplomatic actionJuly 25, 1792
On July 25, 1792, Charles William Ferdinand, the Duke of Brunswick and leader of the coalition armies, issued a manifesto. He warned of severe consequences if any harm came to the French Royal family. This was meant to scare the revolutionaries. However, it backfired, and they resisted the coalition forces even more. -
1792
2 /9
The Capture of Verdun
Military: BattleSeptember 2, 1792
On September 2, 1792, Prussian forces took control of Verdun. This event disheartened the French and opened a direct route to Paris. It also sparked the September massacres in the city. -
1792
20 /9
The Battle of Valmy
Military: BattleSeptember 20, 1792
On September 20, 1792 French had it's first major victory against the Prussian at the Battle of Valmy. The French, under Generals Charles Dumouriez and Francois Christophe Kellermann, managed to halt the Prussian advance towards Paris. -
1792
22 /9
The Proclamation of the French Republic
Diplomatic actionSeptember 22, 1792
After the victory at Valmy, the National Convention announced the end of the monarchy and set up the French Republic on September 22, 1792. -
1793
21 /1
The Execution of Louis XVI
Diplomatic actionJanuary 21, 1793
King Louis XVI was tried and executed for treason on January 21, 1793. Nine months later, his wife Marie Antoinette also faced execution. These events contradicted the Brunswick Manifesto, prompting Britain, Spain, the Dutch Republic, and other European powers to join a coalition against France. -
1793
1 /2
The French Invasion of the Dutch Republic
Military: BattleFebruary 1, 1793
On February 1st, 1793, a declaration of war was issued by France to attack the Dutch Republic. On the 17th of February, General Dumouriez attacked the Netherlands and was able to capture Breda. However, he lost at Neerwinden, and the Dutch Republic was able to exist for two more years. -
1793
18 /3
The Battle of Neerwinden
Military: BattleMarch 18, 1793
The Austrian army, commanded by Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, triumphed over the French forces led by General Dumouriez. After this loss, Dumouriez switched sides to join the Austrians, leading to considerable turmoil in the French military command.
The Batavian Revolution
1794 > 1799
The Batavian Revolution, which took place between 1794 and 1799, was a time of major political and social transformation in the Netherlands, resulting in the end of the Dutch Republic and the formation of the Batavian Republic. Inspired by the French and American Revolutions, the revolutionaries (patriots) sought a more democratic government and greater power for the bourgeoisie.
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1794
14 /2
The Battle of Boxtel
Military: BattleSeptember 14, 1794
On the 14th and 15th of September 1794, the French army, led by General Pichegru, and the allied forces, consisting of troops from Great Britain, Hessen, and Hanover, fought near the city of Boxtel. The battle resulted in a win for the French army and a big step forward in revolutionizing the Dutch Republic. -
1794
26 /6
The Battle of Fleurus
Military: BattleJune 26, 1794
General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan led French forces to an important victory over the Austrian army, gaining control of Belgium. The success at Fleurus was key to establishing French strategic dominance in the area. -
1794
4 /11
The Siege of Maastricht
Military: BattleSeptember 19, 1794
From the 19th of September to the 4th of November 1794, the French Forces, led by General Kléber, besieged the city of Maastricht, turning the city into a French city when the Batavian Republic was created a few months later. -
1795
19 /1
The Proclamation of the Batavian Republic
Political eventJanuary 19, 1795
On January 19, 1795, the new Batavian Republic was proclaimed, ending the Dutch Republic. The Stadtholder William V fled to England on January 18, and a new government was installed with republican principles, inspired by the French Revolution. -
1795
5 /4
The Peace of Basel
Diplomatic actionApril 5, 1795
On April 5, 1795 Prussia signed the Peace of Basel with France, effectively withdrawing from the coalition and ceding control of the territories on the left bank of the Rhine to France. This treaty marked the beginning of the coalition's fragmentation. -
1797
18 /10
The Treaty of Campo Formio
Diplomatic actionOctober 18, 1797
Napoleon's successful campaign in Italy led Austria to consider peace negotiations. On October 18, 1797, they signed the Treaty of Campo Formio. This agreement recognized France's new territories, such as Belgium, parts of Italy, and the left bank of the Rhine. In return, Austria got Venice. The treaty signalled the end of the War of the First Coalition.
The War of the Second Coalition
1798 > 1802
The War of the Second Coalition was a second attempt at containing the French expansion and restore the monarchies displaced by the revolution. The coalition consisted of Britain, Austria, Russia and the Ottoman Empire amongst others. While the coalition was at first successful in containing the French, the War ended with the Treaty of Lunéville & Amiens, paving the way for the French and in particular Napoleon to conquer Europe.
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1798
1 /5
The Establishment of the new Constitution
Political eventMay, 1798
In May 1798, the new Constitution was adopted, which was based on the principles of democracy and centralization. This constitution diminished the independence of the provinces, as it provided for a more unified state structure. This shift marked the beginning of the end of the feudal structures like the manor system. Also, it gave more room for ordinary civilians to make one's voice heard, although most of the power still lay with the richer people. -
1798
21 /7
The Battle of the Pyramids
Military: BattleJuly 21, 1798
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte led the French Army of the Orient against the Mamluk forces near Cairo. The French successfully repelled the Mamluk cavalry and established control over Egypt. -
1798
1 /8
The Battle of the Nile
Military: BattleAugust 1 and 2, 1798
On August 1 and 2, 1798, the British Royal Navy, under Admiral Horatio Nelson, clashed with the French fleet at Aboukir Bay. They emerged victorious, destroying most of the French ships and leaving Napoleon's army stranded in Egypt. -
1799
20 /3
The Siege of Acre
Military: BattleMarch 20 and 21, 1799
On March 20 and 21, 1799, Napoleon's army besieged the city of Acre. Ottoman forces and British sailors, led by Sir Sidney Smith, defended the city. Despite multiple attacks and some early victories, Napoleon's troops couldn't take the city because of strong defence and logistical issues. This resulted in Napoleon withdrawal out of the Middle East. -
1799
21 /3
The Battle of Ostrach
Military: BattleMarch 21, 1799
The Austrian army, led by Archduke Charles, clashed with General Jourdan's French Army of the Danube on March 21, 1799. Thanks to their greater numbers and better tactics, the Austrians pushed the French into a retreat. -
1799
23 /3
The Battle of Stockach
Military: BattleMarch 23, 1799
Following their victory at Ostrach, the Austrian army secured another win against the French at the Battle of Stockach on March 23, 1799, strengthening their hold on southern Germany. -
1799
27 /4
The Battle of Cassano
Military: BattleApril 27, 1799
On April 27, 1799, General Alexander Suvorov led Russian and Austrian troops to victory over the French at Cassano in Italy. This win forced the French to retreat and resulted in France losing substantial ground in Italy. -
1799
4 /6
The First Battle of Zurich
Military: BattleJune 4 to June 7, 1799
From June 4 to June 7, 1799, Russian troops led by General Korsakov, alongside Austrian forces, launched an attack on the French army in Zurich. This forced the French to pull back. The battle was a brief victory for the coalition in Switzerland. -
1799
15 /8
The Battle of Novi
Military: BattleAugust 15, 1799
On August 15, 1799, coalition forces, mainly Russian and Austrian troops under Suvorov's command, defeated the French in Northern Italy. This victory pushed the French to retreat further, causing them to lose their stronghold in the region. -
1799
25 /9
The Second Battle of Zurich
Military: BattleSeptember 25 and 26, 1799
On September 25 and 26, 1799, the Second Battle of Zurich took place. French General André Masséna launched a counterattack against the Russian and Austrian forces, defeating them decisively. This victory ensured French dominance over Switzerland. -
1800
14 /6
The Battle of Marengo
Military: BattleJune 14, 1800
After returning from Egypt and seizing power in France, Napoleon launched a surprise campaign into Northern Italy on June 14, 1800. His forces encountered the Austrians under General Melas, who at first outmanoeuvred them. However, with timely reinforcements and determined counterattacks, Napoleon managed to defeat the Austrian forces. This victory solidified his power and allowed France to regain control of Northern Italy. -
1800
3 /12
The Battle of Hohenlinden
Military: BattleDecember 3, 1800
On December 3, 1800, French troops led by General Jean Moreau clashed with Austrian forces in Munich, Bavaria. Thanks to Moreau's strategic planning and smart tactics, France won a clear victory, prompting the Austrians to pursue peace talks. -
1801
5 /2
The Treaty of Lunéville
Diplomatic actionFebruary 5, 1801
Following the Battle of Hohenlinden, Austria had to start peace negotiations with France. They signed a treaty on February 5, 1801, which ended their conflict. Austria acknowledged France's new territories, including the Rhineland, Belgium, and some regions of Italy. -
1802
25 /3
The Treaty of Amiens
Diplomatic actionMarch 25, 1802
The treaty, signed on March 25, 1802, between France and Britain officially ended the War of the Second Coalition. It established a temporary peace, with Britain acknowledging French authority over territories previously held by Austria and the Dutch. In return, France agreed to pull out from various occupied regions. -
1806
18 /6
The Dissolvement of the Batavian Republic
Political eventJune 5, 1806
The Batavian Republic struggled to maintain stability, due to ongoing conflicts in Europe. There were major economic challenges, such as war debts and trade disruptions. On June 5, 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the Batavian Republic and established the Kingdom of Holland, placing his brother Louis Bonaparte on the throne, marking an end to the revolutionary period in the Netherlands.
Copyright © 2024 ÀYRNGÁER BY VINCENT JONGMAN
Àyrngáer is a visual story- and worldbuilding project by Zev Chafer, aka Vincent Jongman. The characters and their writings are fictional, but can discuss real life- and autobiographical topics. All artworks and texts are handmade (unless stated otherwise) and created by Vincent Jongman, published with the pseudonym Zev Chafer. You are not allowed to use, copy, sell or distribute this content without the consent of the author/creator.
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