FLIGHT OF THE KING AND DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST AUSTRIA, JUNE, 1791–APRIL, 1792

The flight of Louis XVI was one of the most important events of the time-for Europe as well as for the Revolution. There was no doubt in France that Europe’s kings opposed the Revolution, yet their involvement in other affairs would have permitted it to continue its work in peace for at least a while longer. The initiative of Louis XVI himself precipitated the conflict that brought his downfall.