When was the First Coalition War?

The War of the First Coalition was fought between 20 April 1792 and 17 October 1797, during the French revolutionary period.

What caused the War of the First Coalition?

The War of the First Coalition was directly caused by the French Revolution. The powers of Europe felt threatened by the radical ideals of the Revolution, while the French believed the monarchs of Europe were plotting to crush their revolution. Such beliefs led to heightened tensions and, ultimately, war.

Who fought in the War of the First Coalition?

The War of the First Coalition was fought between Revolutionary France and an alliance of European powers that included Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, Piedmont-Sardinia, Naples, Spain, Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, and the Dutch Republic, among other German and Italian states.

Who won the War of the First Coalition?

The War of the First Coalition was won by France and helped establish French hegemony on the European continent.

War of the First Coalition Timeline

Definition

The War of the First Coalition (1792-1797) was a continent-spanning conflict in which a coalition of European powers, including Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Spain, and several others, sought to contain and defeat Revolutionary France. The war was sparked by the ideals of the French Revolution (1789-1799), which threatened the established monarchies of Europe.

More about: War of the First Coalition

Timeline

5 May 1789
The Estates-General convenes in Versailles for the first time in 175 years.
14 Jul 1789
The Bastille in Paris is stormed.
16 Jul 1789
The Comte d'Artois, Louis XVI's brother, flees Versailles with other royalists after the Storming of the Bastille, becoming the first wave of emigres to flee the French Revolution.
20 Jun 1791 - 21 Jun 1791
The Flight to Varennes, an attempted escape by the French royal family from Paris, is foiled; public disdain for the monarchy increases.
27 Aug 1791
Austria and Prussia release the Declaration of Pillnitz, threatening Revolutionary France with military action.
20 Apr 1792
Revolutionary France declares war on Austria, sparking the War of the First Coalition.
20 Sep 1792
The Battle of Valmy results in a French victory over Prussian invaders.
6 Nov 1792
The Battle of Jemappes results in a victory for the French Republic over an Austrian army, allowing for the French conquest of Belgium.
18 Mar 1793
The Battle of Neerwinden results in an Austrian victory, driving the French Republican forces from Belgium.
5 Apr 1793
General Dumouriez betrays the French Republic and defects to the Austrians.
23 Aug 1793
The levée en masse is enacted, flooding France's armies with conscripts.
15 Oct 1793 - 16 Oct 1793
Battle of Wattignies results in victory for the French Republic over an Austrian army.
24 Jun 1794
The French are victorious at the Battle of Fleurus; their armies remain ascendent for the rest of the War of the First Coalition.
Jan 1795
The Dutch Republic falls and is replaced by the Batavian Republic, first of the French satellite states known as sister republics.
Apr 1795 - Jun 1795
Prussia and Spain exit the French Revolutionary Wars with the treaties of Basel.
23 Jun 1795 - 21 Jul 1795
British attempt to land French emigres ends in failure at the Battle of Quiberon.
10 Apr 1796 - 2 Apr 1797
Napoleon Bonaparte's Italian Campaign.
17 Oct 1797
Austria and France sign the Treaty of Campo Formio, ending the War of the First Coalition.