8) the Vendée Counter-Revolution Map P

9) The Vendée Counter-Revolution [map p. 76] . Most sans-culottes and peasants around Paris supported the Revolution. . Peasants the South & the West, also initially supported it. . Later, these peasants became uncomfortable with the Revolution’s attacks on Christianity e.g., the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. . They were even more upset when they heard that their king was executed. . Then the N.C. sent recruiters to these rural areas to enlist them into the army; this was the last straw. . March 1793: peasants in the Vendée region of France rose up in armed revolt against the N.C. . The Vendéeans declared they were fighting for their Church and their new king: 10 year old Louis XVII still in prison. . They soon were joined by peasants in Bordeaux, Lyons, Marseille, Toulon, Rennes, and other rural regions. . Some leaders were minor noblemen: Charles-Arturs de Bonchamps, François de Charette, & Henri de la Rochejacquelein . . The main leader was a humble peddler: Jacques Cathelineau, called the “Saint of Anjou”. . The N.C. sent 45,000 troops, but they were poorly trained. . So, the Vendéeans were very successful at first. * In mid-March, they defeated the N.C.’s army several times. * By March 22, they captured their first cannon, naming it Marie Jeanne. * By early summer, they had near control of the West. . On June 29, they almost reached the major port of Nantes, and they faced a choice: take Nantes or attack Paris? [Why?] . Cathelineau wanted to take Paris, but de Charette convinced him to go to Nantes. . The Vendéeans manage to break through the city walls, but Cathelineau was shot, and the Vendéeans retreated. . Cathelineau died 2 weeks later, and the Vendéeans lost their charismatic “Saint of Anjou”. . Meanwhile, Robespierre got the news of the Vendéeans’ success; by August he sent the full force of the army there. . Without Cathelineau and against the full strength of the army, the Vendéeans had no chance; by October, they started losing major battles. . The Counter Revolution was finally crushed at the Battle of Savenay on Dec. 23, 1793. . All the major Vendéean leaders were either killed in battle or captured and executed; now the N.C. was ready to get even.

Assignment 1) Explain fully why did the Vendéeans revolted against the French Revolution when they supported it in the beginning. 2) [Think question] Look at the map. If you were Cathelineau, would you have attacked Paris instead of Nantes? Why or why not? Map of the Vendée Counter Revolution Darker areas in France = supporters of the Counter Revolution

Flag of the Vendée Counter Revolutionary forces