Bonaparte Surveys Allied Harbour Defences
Bonaparte studied the positions from which cannon could threaten enemy shipping. He concluded that control of the heights commanding the inner anchorage was vital.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1793 in France — Page 9
Explore 797 historical events and records for France in 1793.
Historical records for France in 1793
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September
Carteaux Advances Republican Forces toward Toulon
General Carteaux led French troops advancing against the rebellious port. His army had to overcome fortified approaches protected by royalists and foreign soldiers.
French Siege Batteries Increase Pressure
Carteaux's troops established positions around Toulon while artillery officers tried to improve their effect. The slow progress revealed the difficulty of besieging a well defended coastal base.
Jourdan Assumes Command before Maubeuge Relief
Jourdan took charge of the northern field army while Coalition forces threatened the French fortress of Maubeuge. Restoring the initiative required an attack against the troops covering the siege.
Mission to Army of Italy
Barras was sent on mission to the Army of Italy and became involved in Republican operations around Toulon.
Representatives Approve Intensified Siege Preparations
Commissioners attached to the republican army encouraged the accumulation of artillery and manpower. Their intervention connected the siege's conduct to the Convention's political priorities.
Terror becomes political watchword: Committees face multiple threats
Barère reported on the combined challenges of foreign armies, rebellion and supply shortages. These pressures encouraged the Convention to authorize increasingly exceptional measures.
Terror becomes political watchword: Security pressure intensifies
Billaud-Varenne argued for stronger measures against enemies as war and economic unrest continued. Radical pressure helped produce a system of extensive political surveillance.
Terror becomes political watchword: Virtue linked with emergency rule
Robespierre defended revolutionary government as a temporary response to dangers threatening the Republic. Opponents later challenged the breadth of powers exercised in its name.
October
Bailly summoned in Marie Antoinette proceedings
Bailly was called to give evidence during proceedings concerning Marie-Antoinette. His testimony did not satisfy the hostile expectations of the revolutionary authorities.
Republican Calendar Adopted
Romme's calendar commission helps replace the Gregorian system with a republican era intended to mark a complete break with monarchy.
Revolutionary Government Report
Saint-Just reported for suspending the 1793 Constitution and maintaining revolutionary government until peace.
Revolutionary Government Until Peace
Saint-Just reports to the Convention that government must remain revolutionary until peace, formalizing exceptional wartime administration.
Revolutionary government until peace: Committee authority defended
Couthon sided with colleagues seeking disciplined central action against counter-revolution. The decree established a governing principle that shaped the next phase of the Terror.
Revolutionary government until peace: Constitutional rule postponed
Saint-Just reported that government must remain revolutionary until peace. The declaration subordinated the recently adopted constitution to a wartime regime of exceptional powers.
Revolutionary government until peace: Wartime political discipline consolidated
Robespierre defended emergency government as necessary to preserve the Republic during simultaneous crises. Citizens consequently faced a widening gap between formal constitutional rights and actual political practice.
Former Queen Appears Before Revolutionary Judges
Marie Antoinette was tried before the Revolutionary Tribunal after months of imprisonment. Prosecutors invoked charges of political conspiracy and betrayal of French interests.
Balland Assaults the Coalition Centre
Balland's troops attacked the central enemy line during the first day's engagements. Coalition reserves helped prevent a French breakthrough despite determined pressure.
Carnot Consults Commanders after Initial Setbacks
Carnot remained with the army while senior officers reviewed the first day's disappointing results. French leaders prepared to mass strength against the position around Wattignies.
Central Fighting Holds Coalition Reinforcements
Balland's unsuccessful attack nonetheless required the enemy to commit strength to defending the center. That effort formed part of the wider struggle to find a vulnerable point in the covering line.
Duquesnoy Advances on French Right Wing
General Duquesnoy pushed French forces toward the eastern approaches of the battlefield. Difficult terrain and stubborn defenders limited the immediate effect of his movement.
Eastern Assault Meets Difficult Ground
The attack led by Duquesnoy encountered terrain and resistance that reduced its momentum. These difficulties contributed to the decision to concentrate a stronger force on the following day.
First Day Attack Fails to Break Centre
French units fighting near the central positions met strong resistance on 15 October. Jourdan needed to alter the plan rather than repeat an unsuccessful frontal attack unchanged.
Fromentin Attacks the Coalition Leftward Sector
Fromentin led French troops in the western portion of the first day's battle. His advance created opportunities but also exposed his formations to counterattack as they moved away from support.
Jourdan Chooses Broad Initial Attack
The French commander planned attacks against multiple parts of the Coalition position on 15 October. This deployment attempted to stretch enemy reserves before concentrating on a decisive sector.
Western Advance Draws Coalition Cavalry Response
Fromentin's movement toward Berlaimont endangered the coherence of the French left. Enemy mounted troops exploited the exposed situation and checked further progress.
Battle of Wattignies
The French raide the siege at Maubeuge as orderred by Carnot
Battle of Wattignies
Drives back Prince Saxe-Coburg & forces the Austrians to abandon the siege of Maubeuge
Carnot Encourages Renewed Attack on Village
Carnot accompanied the army during the renewed fighting and pressed for an energetic offensive. His presence embodied direct civilian oversight of operational decisions in the revolutionary war.
Death of Marie-Antoinette
The execution of Marie-Antoinette by the Guillotine. Death of Marie-Antoinette, executed by the guillotine
Death of Marie-Antoinette
The execution of Marie-Antoinette by the Guillotine. Death of Marie-Antoinette, executed by the guillotine.
Execution
Marie-Antoinette was executed by guillotine.
Execution
The execution of Marie-Antoinette by the Guillotine
French Troops Capture Wattignies Village
Republican soldiers broke through to take the village during the decisive second day. The advance compromised the Coalition position and forced reassessment of its siege operations.
Jourdan Opens Route toward Besieged Maubeuge
Victory at Wattignies removed the immediate obstacle between the French field army and Maubeuge. The republican garrison could expect relief instead of continued isolation.
Marie Antoinette Receives Death Sentence
The tribunal condemned Marie Antoinette to death after its politically charged trial. She was executed the same day in Paris.
Right Wing Soldiers Assault Wattignies Heights
French formations operating on the right joined the effort to secure the strategically important ground. Control of the heights would make the Coalition covering position harder to maintain.
Second Day Plan Concentrates French Strength
Jourdan redirected the main weight of the French attack toward the village and heights of Wattignies. Concentration offered better prospects than scattering forces along the entire enemy line.
Siege of Maubeuge
The French raide the siege at Maubeuge as orderred by Carnot
Wattignies Victory Relieves Maubeuge
Jourdan's army defeated coalition troops around Wattignies and helped lift the siege of Maubeuge. The result strengthened republican defenses in northern France.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.