apr 20, 1792 - War with Austria + Prussia begins

Description:

France declares war on Austria (Girondin ministryʼs proposal, ratified by LA) —> Invasion of
Austrian Netherlands
Strongly supported by Girondins:
war would unite the nation behind the Revolution
expose the Kingʼs loyalty (they suspected him of supporting Austria)
Revolutionary ideals would spread across Europe
Bad start:
lack of military officers
end of 1791 — 3,000 had fled France
many officers / generals / commanders were nobles — who had emigrated
those remaining — not trusted by their men —> suspected of being royalist counterrevolutionaries
mutinies common + mass desertion
soldiers murdered commanding officer — Theobald Dillon
army of < 140,000
many volunteers — little weaponry / training
disorganised + underprepared
Within 1 month —> commanders arguing that peace must be made immediately

Added to timeline:

Date: