During the worst days of the Revolution, the new French Republic was faced with invasion from abroad (all the monarchies of Europe organized to invade) and resistance from within. In a desperate effort to save the world's newest experiment in democracy, the direst measures were adopted. One of those was the forced military draft. Here in the west of France few saw any reason to go fight the English, the Germans and Austrians in the north and east. But these farmers were perfectly willing to fight on their own lands and they fought hard. The enemy was not German or English, though. He was French. This is a civil war, and after horrible losses on both sides Paris decides that all mans will be used to exterminate the rebellion.
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This page last updated on 6/17/2003 12:11:33 PM.