TheDeclaration of Pillnitz was a statement of five sentences[1] issued on 27 August 1791 atPillnitz Castle nearDresden (Saxony) byFrederick William II of Prussia and the HabsburgLeopold II, Holy Roman Emperor who wasMarie Antoinette's brother.[2] It declared the joint support of theHoly Roman Empire and ofPrussia for KingLouis XVI of France against theFrench Revolution.[3][4]
Since the French Revolution of 1789, Leopold had become increasingly concerned about the safety of his sister Marie Antoinette and her family, but felt that any intervention in French affairs would only increase their danger.[5] At the same time, many French aristocrats werefleeing France and taking up residence in neighbouring countries, spreading fear of the Revolution and agitating for foreign support to Louis XVI.[6] After Louis and his family had fled Paris in the hopes of inciting a counter-revolution, known as theFlight to Varennes in June 1791, Louis had been apprehended and was returned to Paris and kept under armed guard. On 6 July 1791, Leopold issued thePadua Circular, calling on the sovereigns of Europe to join him in demanding Louis' freedom.[7]
Calling on European powers to intervene if Louis was threatened, the declaration was intended to serve as a warning to the French revolutionaries to stop infringing on the king's prerogatives and to permit his resumption of power.[8]
The declaration stated thatAustria would go to war if and only if all the other major European powers also went to war with France. Leopold chose this wording so that he would not be forced to go to war. The addition of 'all' also masked how many powers were expected to be involved before Austria got involved. He knew that the British prime minister,William Pitt, did not support war with France. Leopold issued the declaration only to satisfy the French émigrés who had taken refuge in his country and were calling for foreign interference in their homeland.[citation needed]
(The Pillnitz Conference itself dealt mainly with thePolish Question and the war of Austria against theOttoman Empire.)[citation needed]
His Majesty, the Emperor, and his Majesty, the King of Prussia, having given attention to the wishes and representations of Monsieur (the brother of the King of France), and of M. le Comte d'Artois, jointly declare that they regard the present situation of His Majesty the King of France, as a matter of common interest to all the sovereigns of Europe. They trust that this interest will not fail to be recognized by the powers, whose aid is solicited, and that in consequence they will not refuse to employ, in conjunction with their said majesties, the most efficient means in proportion to their resources to place the King of France in a position to establish, with the most absolute freedom, the foundations of a monarchical form of government, which shall at once be in harmony with the rights of sovereigns and promote the welfare of the French nation. In that case [Alors et dans ce cas] their said majesties the Emperor and the King of Prussia are resolved to act promptly and in common accord with the forces necessary to obtain the desired common end.
In the meantime they will give such orders to their troops as are necessary in order that these may be in a position to be called into active service.[9]
TheNational Assembly of France interpreted the declaration to mean that Austria and Prussia were threatening the revolution, which had the result of radicalising the French revolutionaries and increasing tensions.[1] The National Assembly voted for the French annexation of theComtat Venaissin includingAvignon from thePapal States in September 1791.[1] Austria and Prussia concluded a defensive alliance in February 1792.[1] Radical Frenchmen who called for war, such asJacques Pierre Brissot, used the Declaration of Pillnitz as a pretext to gain influence and declare war on 20 April 1792, leading to thecampaigns of 1792 in the French Revolutionary Wars.[10]
Media related toDeclaration of Pillnitz at Wikimedia Commons
