The war between Spain and revolutionary France (1793-1795) began with the Spanish occupation of Roussillon. The Convention counter-attacked and occupied La Cerdanya, La Val d'Aran and part of L'Empordà. Fifty-five representatives from Catalan cities assumed command and established an armed body of men - known as the miquelets - who routed the French troops in the spring of 1795. A later alliance between the Spanish monarchy and France against Great Britain led to recession in the Catalan economy as the British and Dutch markets were closed to Catalan products and the trade routes to the markets in the Americas were blocked by the British navy.