Battle of Altenkirchen
Jourdan defeated forces of the Duke of Wurttemberg at Altenkirchen during the 1796 campaign in Germany.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1796 in France — Page 2
Explore 144 historical events and records for France in 1796.
Historical records for France in 1796
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 144 unique records.
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June
Direction of Military Campaigns
Carnot continued coordinating military affairs as French armies campaigned in Italy and Germany during 1796.
Jourdan Advances through Central German States
Jourdan's Army of Sambre and Meuse moved eastward while Moreau operated farther south. The two offensives sought to stretch Austrian resources across Germany.
July
Moreau Wins Battle of Ettlingen
French troops overcame an Austrian field army in the fighting near Ettlingen. The victory strengthened Moreau's advance into southwestern Germany.
Battle of Lonato
Defeats the Austrians in Mantua
August
Battle of Lonato
Fights at the Battle of Lonato in Italy
Battle of Lonato
Wounded with four sabre cuts at Lonato in Italy
Battle of Lonato
Massena fought around Lonato during Bonaparte's operations against the Austrian attempt to relieve Mantua.
Battle of Castiglione
Massena's division contributed to the French victory at Castiglione against Wurmser's Austrian army.
Battle of Castiglione
Napoleon defeated the Austrian army at Castiglione during the first major attempt to relieve the siege of Mantua.
Battle of Castiglione
Fights at the Battle of Castiglione in Italy
Battle of Castiglione
Defeats the Austrians in Mantua
French Army Wins at Neresheim
Moreau's force defeated Austrian troops in the battle near Neresheim. The result allowed the offensive to continue before shifting strategic circumstances forced reconsideration.
Congratulations after Italian Victories
La Revelliere-Lepeaux wrote to Josephine Bonaparte after the victories of Lonato and Castiglione and praised Napoleon's military success.
President of Directory
La Revelliere-Lepeaux served as president of the Directory during the summer of 1796.
September
Battle of Bassano
Massena fought at Bassano as Bonaparte pursued Austrian forces during the campaign around Mantua.
Battle of Bassano
Napoleon defeated Austrian forces at Bassano and continued the campaign to prevent relief of Mantua.
Battle of Bassano
Defeats the Austrians in Mantua
Jourdan Retreats after Austrian Counteroffensive
Austrian commanders struck Jourdan's exposed army as it advanced into Germany. The reversal made the neighboring French offensive increasingly difficult to sustain.
Moreau Conducts Fighting Retreat toward Rhine
Moreau organized a withdrawal through southern Germany when Austrian successes threatened his rear. The difficult retreat preserved much of his army for future operations.
Return to France
Talleyrand returned to Paris after years abroad and began rebuilding his political position under the Directory.
October
Cispadine Rep
Creates the Cispadine Republic
French Forces Recross Rhine after Retreat
Moreau's army regained the west bank after a long withdrawal under enemy pressure. The retreat ended the attempt to force an immediate decision deep inside Germany.
November
Battle of Arcole
Fights at the Battle of Arcole in Italy
Battle of Arcole
Massena fought at Arcole during the three-day battle that forced Austrian forces away from the Adige.
Battle of Arcole
Napoleon secured victory at Arcole after three days of fighting, forcing the Austrian army to withdraw from the Adige region.
December
Colonel
Appointed Colonel
Colonel
Appointed Colonel
Other events (month unknown)
Advance through Trentino Bonaparte
Bonaparte advanced northward toward Trento as the armies maneuvered around the Adige. French operations threatened Austrian lines of retreat and sought to prevent a renewed coalition concentration.
Ancients review replacement currency Council of Ancients
Legislators confronted the collapse of assignats and the introduction of territorial mandates. The Ancients had to decide whether to approve financial measures originating in the lower chamber amid severe inflation.
Appointment of Bonaparte in Italy
Carnot supported Napoleon Bonaparte's appointment to command the Army of Italy in the Directory's renewed campaign.
Arcole marshland maneuver Bonaparte
Bonaparte attempted to outflank Austrian troops through difficult marshy terrain near Arcole. Several days of fighting eventually forced the enemy to withdraw and relieved immediate pressure on French communications.
Armistice of Cherasco Bonaparte
Bonaparte concluded an armistice with the Kingdom of Sardinia after his early victories. The agreement secured French communications and enabled the Army of Italy to concentrate against Austria.
Artillery Foundry Machinery Designed
Brunel developed equipment intended to improve the casting and boring of cannon in New York. Its practical implications extended beyond the initial application.
Assumption of Italian field command Bonaparte
Bonaparte took operational control of the Army of Italy and found troops suffering from shortages of pay and supplies. He prepared a rapid offensive intended to separate the Austrian and Piedmontese armies.
Babeuf conspiracy prompts security measures Council of Five Hundred
The discovery of the Conspiracy of Equals intensified demands for internal security. Deputies weighed the threat of revolutionary radicalism against fears that political prosecution might revive the Terror.
Battle of Adige
Italians fight with Napoleon against Austria waving their new green, white & red flags
Battle of Caldiero setback Bonaparte
A French attack at Caldiero failed against Austrian forces under Alvinczi. The reverse obliged Bonaparte to seek a different route for striking the enemy position.
Battle of Castiglione Bonaparte
French forces defeated an Austrian army commanded by Wurmser near Castiglione. The success frustrated an attempt to rescue the Mantua garrison and allowed Bonaparte to resume the siege.
Battle of Dego Bonaparte
Bonaparte's troops fought Austrian formations at Dego during the opening Italian offensive. By restoring control of the position after a counterattack, the French strengthened their operational advantage.
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.