French Declarations of War in the War of the First Coalition (1793)

In 1793 the French First Republic broadened the War of the First Coalition by declaring war on Great Britain and the Dutch Republic on 1 February, followed soon afterwards by a declaration against Spain. During the same year the Holy Roman Empire, Portugal, Naples, and Tuscany joined the coalition against France.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Relations between revolutionary France and the neighbouring monarchies had deteriorated after the Declaration of Pillnitz in August 1791, when Leopold and Frederick William II, in consultation with émigré French nobles, threatened severe consequences should anything befall Louis XVI. France declared war on Austria on 20 April 1792; Prussia, having allied with Austria in February, declared war on France in June 1792.

Declarations of 1793. France declared war against Britain and the Netherlands on 1 February 1793, and soon afterwards against Spain. In the course of 1793 the Holy Roman Empire declared war on 23 March, and the kings of Portugal and Naples and the Grand Duke of Tuscany also declared war against France.

Coalition Context. The coalition was only loosely allied and fought without much coordination, each power hoping to annex a different part of France. The coalition subsequently invaded France by land and sea, with Britain supporting revolts in provincial France and laying siege to Toulon in October 1793.

People involved

Sources

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