Item 05: Walter Bruce Rainsford diary, 1 January-31 December 1918 - Page 88
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 88]
declaration of peace obtained several small English colonies.
The great French revolution commenced in 1789. The taking of the Bastille took place on 14th July of same year.
Prussia, Austria, Spain & Piedmont declared war on France in 1791 to upset the Revolution & uphold King Louis XVI. All were defeated.
Louis XVI was executed on 21.1.93 [1793] and another coalition against France was formed – Prussia, Austria, Piedmont, England, Holland & Spain. To meet these enemies France raised a conscript army of 300,000 and 6 months later called up everyone between 18 & 25. At the end of 93 there were 600,000 men in the field and this number was doubled early the following year. Though France fought vigourously against all Europe and the coalition (except Austria & Piedmont) asked