The French Revolutionary Wars

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.

September 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.

September 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.

February 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.

September 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.

September 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.

April 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.

May, 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.

August 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.

March 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.

April 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.

August 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.

June 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.

February 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.

June 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.