CHAPTER I

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INTRODUCTORY

OUTLINE OF EVENTS IN EUROPE, 1783-1793.

PAGE

Prominence of the year 1793 1

Leading features and results of the war of 1778 2

Condition of the different belligerents at its termination 3

Success of the second Pitt as a peace minister 5

Advantage to Great Britain arising from his secure tenure of power 6

Desire of Western Europe for peace 7

Causes of disturbance 7

Accession of Joseph II. to crown of Austria 7

Commercial expansion of Austrian Netherlands during war of 1778 8

Question of the navigation of the Scheldt 9

Wide-spread interests therein involved 10

The Eastern Question, 1780-1790 11

Change of relations between Great Britain and Russia from 1770 to 1785 12

Interests of France and of Great Britain in the Levant and Baltic 14

Importance of Antwerp as a naval station 15

Interests of European States in Holland and the Netherlands 16

Relations between Russia and France, 1780-1790 17

Preponderance of French influence in Dutch politics 17

Joseph II. drops the question of the Scheldt 18

Treaty of alliance between France and Holland, 1785 18

Armed interference of Prussia in Holland, 1787 19

British party regains ascendency in Holland, 1787 19

Meeting of the Notables in France, February, 1787 19

Turkey declares war against Russia, August, 1787 19

Austria declares war against Turkey, February, 1788 19

Great Britain and Holland proclaim a strict neutrality 20

Consequent effect upon Russia's maritime projects 20

Sweden attacks Russian Finland, June, 1788 21

Defensive alliance between Great Britain, Prussia, and Holland, 1788 21

Denmark attacks Sweden 21

Interposition of Great Britain and Prussia in the Baltic 21

Significance of this action 22

Dawn of the modern Eastern Question 22

Conflicting views of British statesmen about Russia, 1791 23

External influence of France paralyzed by home troubles 24

Progress of the war in southeastern Europe 24

Renewed interference of Great Britain and Prussia in the Baltic 25

Meeting of the States-General in France, 1789 25

Cessation of hostilities between Austria and Turkey, September, 1790 26

Storming of Ismail by Suwarrow, Christmas, 1790 26

Peace of Galatz between Russia and Turkey, August, 1791 27

General peace in eastern Europe, 1791 27

Progress of the Revolution in France, 1789-1791 28

Flight of the King, 1791 28

Declaration of Pilnitz, August, 1791 28

Significant coincidence of this date with Peace of Galatz 29

France declares war against Austria, April, 1792 29

Disorders in Paris, June-September, 1792 30

Suspension of the King, August, 1792 30

Battle of Valmy, September 20, 1792 30

Meeting of National Convention, September 22, 1792 31

Royalty abolished in France 31

Battle of Jemappes, November 6, 1792 31

The French occupy Austrian Netherlands and open the Scheldt 31

Decree of Fraternity, November 19, 1792 31

Decree extending the French system with their armies, December 15, 1792 32

Strained relations between Great Britain and France 32

Execution of Louis XVI., January 21, 1793 32

Dismissal of the French minister by the British court 34

France declares war against Great Britain and Holland, February 1, 1793 34

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