War of the Pyrenees

War of the Pyrenees (1793-1795) refers to the Pyrenees front of the First Coalition's war against the First French Republic. Also known as Great War, War of Roussillon, or War of the Convention, it pitted Revolutionary France against the kingdoms of Spain and Portugal during the French Revolutionary Wars.

The Spanish government declared war against revolutionary France on 17 April 1793 in response to execution of the King and Queen of France. It, along with the other European nations in the First Coalition, viewed the French Revolution as a direct threat to their own systems of monarchy. (The American Revolution was not viewed as a threat, as it was seen as "over there.") Spanish army under General Ricardos invaded France and occupied Roussillon in April 1793. Spanish forces also took part in occupation of Toulon in 1793. General Ricardos returned to Madrid, asking for reinforcements, but he died and the Spanish Army lost its best military commander. Soon, the French general Dugommier fought back, recaptured all the territories lost and crossed the Pyrenees to invade Spain. French forces routed their Spanish counterparts and occupied St Elmo, Collioure, Port-Vendres, Bellegarde, San Sebastian (General Dugommier killed during the siege), etc in 1793-1794.

Conclusion

The Peace of Basel ended the War of the Pyrenees in the year 1795 and the alliance convention between France and Spain was signed the following year in 1796. All in all, it was a victory French republic. Portugal remained in combat, however, as the peace was not concluded with the Portuguese.