Vendee Revolt

• The Convention has ordered a levy of 300,000 conscripts to fight against the First Coalition, but many were unwilling to fight and die for a government whose policies they objected to so they revolted.
• The Civil Constitution of the Clergy had been seriously opposed with 3/4 of priests refusing to swear an oath of allegiance.
• Peasants and monarchists rose in anger due to the ‘reformed taxes‘ not affecting the peasants due to the biens nationaux. Former nobility saw this as an option to restore the monarchy and the white flag of the Bourbon dynasty could be seen flying over some rebels bands.
• There was only 1,300 members of the National Guard in the Vendee to defend against unrest. However, over 10,000 rebels attacked and overran the town of Cholet, beginning the war.
• The rebels were often ill-disciplined, and poorly organised.
• Foreign armies advanced onto France and the leading French General defected and western France erupted into civil war. Due to this the Committee of Public Safety was created.
• The CPS was awarded significant power, including responsibility for determining foreign policy. They were later associated with the extremism of Jacobins.