The Revolutionary Period in Europe by Henry Bourne

Author:Henry Bourne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pronoun

CHAPTER XVI. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC AS A GREAT POWER

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THE PEACE OF CAMPO FORMIO marks only a pause in the conflict between France and Europe. This conflict was due quite as much to the spirit of domination which interpreted the rights of neighboring States in terms of French interests as to a persistence of the antagonism between the principles of the Revolution and the antiquated régime which prevailed beyond the French borders. The French seemed to possess no statesman capable of showing them with authoritative clearness the limits beyond which revolutionary zeal and a passion for aggrandizement would not carry them safely. The Directory could have contrived no measures more certain to render French influence odious than those which they now undertook to enforce. For these General Bonaparte was also, in a measure, responsible. The problems of the government were undoubtedly perplexing. For one thing, it was impossible to pay the ordinary expenses out of the receipts from taxation. General Bonaparte had been indispensable, not only because he gained prestige for France, but because he furnished money for the administration. The cessation of conquest checked the refreshing stream of indemnities, and the annual deficits ran up to 300 millions. It was difficult to reduce the army to a peace basis, because the soldiers could not be sent home unpaid. A part might be supported at the expense of vassal republics, and the rest from the profits of new conquests. The most serious difficulty arose from the triumph of Bonaparte’s Italian policy, which had engaged the government in a situation likely to cause further conflicts. To recede meant loss of prestige, while to go forward would furnish excuses for another coalition.

The Congress of Rastadt was opened in December, 1797. A deputation appointed by the Diet represented the Empire. The Emperor had promised to use his influence to procure for France the cession of the left bank of the Rhine, but he pursued a policy of delay, apparently hoping that the French would increase the bid made at Campo Formio by abandoning to him the legations, now a part of the Cisalpine Republic. But as his troops evacuated Mainz, which was equivalent to its surrender to the French, the German princes realized that his public insistence on the integrity of the empire was a mere formality. Prussian support could not be expected and no resource was left except to make the best possible terms with the French, who renewed the proposal that the dispossessed princes should find indemnification in the ecclesiastical States. The lesser princes were generally ready to accept this solution, especially after fear of complete secularization was removed by the assurances of the French diplomats. The deputation then agreed to the cession of the left bank on the understanding that the French troops should be withdrawn from the right bank. This decision, although communicated to the French, was not confirmed by the Emperor, who soon opened negotiations with Russia for a new coalition against France.

The directors did not wait long before

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