What were the Causes of War between France and Austria

There was a constant struggle between Austria and France before the advent of revolution, while the royal families of the two countries were hand and glove with one another.

Austria had to wage a war against France when the Paris mob imprisoned the king. At the same time several emigres of France settled in Austria and Prussia.

These emigres also incited the authorities of Austria and Prussia to invade France. Queen Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI’s correspondence with Austria added fuel to the fire and made war inevitable.

The following causes can be held responsible for the outbreak of war between France and Austria.

Irresponsibility of the King and Queen

The king Louis XVI and his royal spouse Marie Antoinette continued to make correspondence with Austria to crush the revolution.

The king also made efforts to flee to Austria. It annoyed the French people and they began to hate the royal couple and they tended to punish the king by the horrors of war.

Leopold’s Viewpoint

Leopold II, the ruler of Austria, was greatly terrified and wanted to save his country from the currents of revolution which were flowing through the entire European countries. He waged a war against France in order to crush the revolutionary ferment there.

Role of Emigres

With the outbreak of revolution several nobles and priests emigrated to Austria and Prussia, and they incited the governments of these countries to crush the tidal wave of revolution. H. A. L. Fisher also opines that

“The Emigres played an important role in bringing about the war between the Revolutionary France and the rest of Europe.”

The Declaration of Pilnitz

The Declaration of Pilnitz made by the kings of Austria and Prussia that if any harm was caused to the king of France, they would blow up the entire France, terrified the people of France and they began to think in terms of war against these countries.

Tendency of French People

Lord Acton has opined that the “French public were trying to jump headlong into war, donning red caps and exhibiting spears in hand.” C.D. Hazen has also pointed out towards the viewpoint of the people of France who were fully prepared to wage a war against Austria:

“The French were greatly eager for a war against Austria because they felt that Austria was obstructing the progress of the cause of equality, liberty and fraternity.”