Editing Batavian Republic (section)

==Creation of the Republic==
{{Main|Batavian Revolution}}
The [[French Revolutionary Wars|French Revolutionary War]] proceeded disastrously for the forces of the Stadtholder. In the severe winter of 1794/95 a French army under General [[Charles Pichegru]], with a Dutch contingent under General [[Herman Willem Daendels]], crossed the great frozen rivers that traditionally protected the Netherlands from invasion. Aided by the fact that a substantial proportion of the Dutch population looked favorably upon the French incursion, and often considered it a liberation,<ref>Schama, p. 187; Israel, p. 1120.</ref> the French were quickly able to break the resistance of the forces of the Stadtholder and his Austrian and British allies. However, in many cities revolution broke out even before the French arrived and [[Revolutionary Committee of the Batavian Republic|Revolutionary Committees]] took over the city governments, and (provisionally) the national government as well.<ref>Schama, pp. 188–190.</ref> William was forced to flee to England on a fishing boat on 18 January 1795.<ref>Schama, p. 191.</ref>