aug 29, 1792 - Battle of Verdun

Description:

2 Sep: Verdun fell to the Prussians — the last major fortress before Paris. French commander committed suicide. Path to Paris now clear (even the Bastille was gone). Sparked panic in the city.

Significance ▾
Made invasion of Paris seem imminent. Parisians feared prisoners ('traitors') might escape and join invading forces in a counter-revolution. Agitators warned of danger from 'enemy within' + foreign enemy (Brunswick Manifesto). Marat — radical journalist (L'ami du peuple), Cordeliers member and Jacobin, one of the most radical voices — advocated for violence as a solution. His constant advocacy for violence could be seen as one of the main reasons for Aug. 10 and encourages the September Massacres.

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