Treaty of Lunéville — 9 février 1801

The Treaty of Lunéville consolidated the gains of the Revolution. Austria recognized the Cisalpine Republic, Liguria and the annexations on the left bank of the Rhine. France appeared as the dominant power on the continent.

Marengo and Hohenlinden

The First Consul needed peace to secure a regime born of a coup. He won it by arms: on 14 June 1800 at Marengo, a battle lost until five in the afternoon was reversed by the arrival of Desaix — who died there — and Kellermann's charge. On 3 December Moreau crushed the Austrians at Hohenlinden and marched on Vienna.

The treaty

Signed at Lunéville by Joseph Bonaparte and Count Cobenzl, the treaty confirmed Campo Formio and went further: the Rhine became France's frontier, and Austria recognised the Batavian, Helvetic, Cisalpine and Ligurian republics, all within the French orbit. Francis II signed not only for himself but in the name of the Holy Roman Empire.

A pacified continent

The Second Coalition was dead: England stood alone and would have to treat in turn at Amiens. At home, peace gave the Consulate immense political capital, which made possible the Concordat, the Civil Code and, eighteen months later, the Consulate for life.