Well before 20 April 1792, during the period of the Constituent Assembly, Robespierre was placed in an extremely painful situation, when the issue of war erupted into violent debate. From 1789 onwards, the threat of conflict called into question the future of the Revolution. To mention war, whether it was desired or feared by the deputies, thus offered Robespierre the opportunity to make his voice heard about the political destiny that he envisaged for the Revolution. The threat of war was not so much a calamity as the chance for Robespierre to advocate changing the old absolute warrior monarchy into a new democratic pacifist régime, which would remain vigilant and ready to defend itself.