What impact did war have on the French Revolution 1789-1799?

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What impact did war have on the French Revolution 1789-1799?

Over the period from 1789 to 1799, war had a huge impact on the course and aims of the Revolution. In 1789 to 1791, before war even broke out, fear of foreign intervention and counter-revolution was rife. This was evident in the measures taken against the émigrés and non-juring Church. The desertions of countless army generals amongst the émigrés also showed that there was a fear of France being conquered by another European power, and the King's Flight to Varennes displayed his fear of opposition, be it internal or external. Essentially, the fear of war and internal and external enemies influenced the Revolution and the activity of the king before war even broke out.

However, when war did break out 20 April 1792, it marked a dramatic turn in the Revolution. From this moment onwards, war was the biggest conditioner for the course of the Revolution. The outbreak of war led to the fear of counter-revolutionaries inside France who did not agree with it, leading to killings and arrests from 1792 onwards to dispose of 'traitors'. New forces began to emerge as support for a Republic began to