The War in the Vendée was a counter-revolutionary uprising that took place in the Vendée department of France from 1793 to 1796, during the French Revolution (1789-99). In response to the French Republic's attempts to impose conscription, the Vendeans rebelled and formed themselves into a Catholic and Royal Army. The ensuing civil war is primarily remembered for its excessive brutality.
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Definition
Timeline
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12 Jul 1790The Civil Constitution of the Clergy is passed, making the French Catholic Church subordinate to the French government.
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Feb 1793The French Republic calls for 300,000 new soldiers to be raised, by conscription if necessary, prompting revolt across the nation.
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Mar 1793 - Jun 1793The War in the Vendée expands, as the rebel Royal and Catholic Army controls most of the Vendée region; a Grand Council of Vendée recognizes Louis XVII as France's king.
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11 Mar 1793First Massacre of Machecoul; over 500 Republic-sympathizing citizens are murdered by angry Vendean peasants; the War in the Vendée begins.
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29 Jun 1793The Battle of Nantes. The Vendean Catholic and Royal Army is defeated by the French Republic; General Cathelineau is mortally wounded.
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1 Aug 1793French revolutionary leader Bertrand Barère calls for the complete destruction of the rebellious Vendée region.
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Nov 1793 - 23 Dec 1793The march of the surviving Vendean rebels, known as the Northwind Turn ends in failure, and the destruction of the Catholic and Royal Army at the Battle of Savenay.
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Nov 1793 - Feb 1794Drownings at Nantes; between 1,100 and 4,000 Vendean rebels and Catholic clerics are drowned in the Loire River by French Republican soldiers.
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Jan 1794 - Mar 1794The French Republic's 'infernal columns' wreak havoc, death, and destruction to the rebellious Vendée region; some 50,000 people are slaughtered.
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28 Jan 1794Vendean rebel general Henri de la Rochejaquelein is killed while on a reconnaissance mission, aged 21.
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29 Mar 1796François de Charette, one of the last remaining leaders of the Vendée rebellion, is executed by firing squad, bringing the War in the Vendée to an end.
