Citing The Duke Of Brunswick's Proclamation

The Proclamation of the Duke of Brunswick, also known as the Brunswick Manifesto, was issued by Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, on 25 July 1792. The manifesto was addressed to the population of Paris, France, during the War of the First Coalition. In it, the Duke threatened to harm French civilians and burn Paris to the ground if the French royal family was harmed. The document has been widely cited as a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, though its impact has been debated. When citing this proclamation, it is important to reference the historical context, including the ongoing war and the political tensions within France.

The Duke of Brunswick's warning to the people of revolutionary France

The Duke of Brunswick, born Charles William Ferdinand, issued a proclamation to the population of Paris, France, on 25 July 1792, during the War of the First Coalition. This proclamation, known as the Brunswick Manifesto, was a warning to the people of revolutionary France, threatening harm to French civilians if the French royal family was harmed. The duke was the commander of the powerful Austro-Prussian army and a career soldier with experience in the Seven Years' War. He had succeeded his father as Duke of Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel in 1773 but remained in the military, becoming a Prussian general and later a field marshal.

The Brunswick Manifesto stated that if acts of violence or humiliation were committed against the French royal family, the Allies would burn Paris to the ground. The manifesto was written primarily by Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé, who was the leader of a large corps of French émigrés in Brunswick's army. It was intended to intimidate the Parisians into submission and prevent further radicalisation of the French Revolution. However, the manifesto had the opposite effect, as it angered the French populace and spurred the revolutionaries into further action.

The duke's proclamation stated that the Allies had no intention of conquering or meddling in the internal affairs of France. Instead, they sought to protect the king, queen, and royal family, and enable the king to exercise his legitimate authority. The manifesto also threatened punishment for anyone who resisted the Imperial and Prussian armies or supported the reinstatement of the monarchy.

The Brunswick Manifesto was distributed in Paris on 28 July 1792, and it fuelled the revolt that was already being planned by the agitators. When news spread of the Austro-Prussian army marching into French soil, the Paris populace erupted into violence. On 10 August, the Tuileries Palace was stormed, and the Swiss Guards protecting it were massacred by the mob. The manifesto, therefore, had the unintended consequence of accelerating the downfall of the monarchy and intensifying the conflict between Revolutionary France and counter-revolutionary monarchies.

To cite the proclamation, you can refer to it as the "Brunswick Manifesto" or the "Brunswick Proclamation". The full text of the proclamation, issued by Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick-Luneburg, can be found in various historical sources, including the one provided in the reference section below.

The Duke's role in the Revolutionary War

The Duke of Brunswick's role in the Revolutionary War was to issue a proclamation to the population of Paris, France, on July 25, 1792, during the War of the First Coalition. The proclamation, also known as the Brunswick Manifesto, threatened harm to French civilians if the French royal family was harmed. The Duke of Brunswick was the commander of the Allied army, which consisted of Austrian and Prussian forces. The manifesto was written by Louis Joseph, Prince of Condé, the leader of a large corps of French émigrés in Brunswick's army.

The Duke of Brunswick's proclamation was intended to intimidate Paris and deter violence against the French royal family. However, it had the opposite effect, further fuelling the increasingly radical French Revolution and leading to war between Revolutionary France and counter-revolutionary monarchies.

On August 1, 1792, two days after the manifesto was made public, news of it began spreading through Paris, inciting anger and fear towards the Allies. On August 10, revolutionaries stormed the Tuileries Palace in a bloody battle, massacring the survivors of the Swiss Guards who had been protecting it.

The Duke of Brunswick's role in the Revolutionary War was thus significant, as his proclamation helped to escalate tensions and spur the French Revolution forward.

The impact of the Manifesto on the French Revolution

The Brunswick Manifesto, issued by Charles William Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick, on 25 July 1792, had a significant impact on the course of the French Revolution. The manifesto was addressed to the population of Paris and threatened severe consequences if the French royal family was harmed. The Allies, primarily the Austrian and Prussian armies, pledged to protect French civilians and refrain from looting if the royal family was unharmed. However, if acts of violence or humiliation were committed against the royal family, the Allies threatened to burn Paris to the ground.

Secondly, the Manifesto contributed to the perception of King Louis XVI as collaborating with foreign enemies. This belief further eroded his legitimacy and fuelled the revolutionary cause. The Manifesto was also seen as an attack on the sovereignty of the French nation and was deemed illegal and disrespectful of the laws of war. As a result, the French refused to take it seriously and responded with satire and humour, refusing to succumb to intimidation.

The Manifesto also played a role in the military confrontations between the French and the Allied forces. The French victory at the Battle of Valmy on 20 September 1792, was, in part, a response to the Manifesto and the perceived threat it posed to the Revolution. The Prussian army's subsequent withdrawal from France dealt a blow to the counter-revolutionary monarchies.

In conclusion, the Brunswick Manifesto had a significant impact on the French Revolution. It galvanised the revolutionaries, undermined the monarchy, and led to pivotal military confrontations. The Manifesto's attempt to intimidate the French populace into submission ultimately backfired, contributing to the increasingly radical nature of the Revolution and the growing divide between the revolutionaries and the counter-revolutionary monarchies.

The Duke's resignation and return to the military

The Duke of Brunswick, Charles William Ferdinand, resigned in 1794 in protest at interference by Frederick William II of Prussia. He returned to the military in 1806, when Prussia declared war on France, beginning the War of the Fourth Coalition. Despite being over 70 years old, the Duke of Brunswick returned to command the Prussian army at the personal request of Louise, Queen of Prussia.

The Prussian army was regarded as backward, using outdated tactics and poor communication. The high command was criticised for its structure, with multiple officers developing differing plans and then disagreeing on which to follow, leading to disorganisation and indecision.

The Duke commanded the large Prussian army at Auerstedt during the double Battle of Jena–Auerstedt on 14 October 1806. His forces were defeated by Napoleon's marshal Davout, despite the Prussians outnumbering the French around Auerstedt by two to one. During the battle, the Duke was struck by a musket ball and lost both his eyes. His second-in-command, Friedrich Wilhelm Carl von Schmettau, was also mortally wounded, causing a breakdown in the Prussian command. The Duke died of his wounds on 10 November 1806.

The Duke's death

The Duke of Brunswick, Charles William Ferdinand, died on 10 November 1806, in Ottensen, near Hamburg. He was mortally wounded by a musket ball at the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt, which took place during the War of the Fourth Coalition. The Prussian army, led by the Duke, was defeated by Napoleon's marshal Davout, despite having a two-to-one advantage in numbers.

The Duke's forces were outnumbered and outmaneuvered, and he himself was struck by a musket ball, causing him to lose both of his eyes. His second-in-command, Friedrich Wilhelm Carl von Schmettau, was also mortally wounded, resulting in a breakdown of the Prussian command. The Duke's army was forced to retreat, carrying their wounded leader with them.

Charles William Ferdinand died of his injuries in Ottensen, and his body was initially laid to rest in the Christianskirche there in 1806. In 1819, his remains were transferred to Brunswick Cathedral for reburial.

The Duke of Brunswick's death was not only a loss to the Prussian army but also to the Enlightenment arts and sciences, which he had sponsored. He was known for his interest in the well-being of his subjects and his support for gradual reforms. As a ruler, he was described as a "model sovereign" and a "benevolent despot."

Frequently asked questions