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Napoleon’s Foreign Policy
Triumphs and Defeats
Before Napoleon became Emperor
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1793 - first major command in the army; drives
the British out of the seaport of Toulon.
1796 - Italian Campaign where Napoleon was
General of the French army in Italy and was
given orders to drive the Austrians out.
1797 - Treaty of Campio Formio is established
with the Austrians following the Italian
Campaign.
Before Emperor Napoleon Cont’d…
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1798 - Egyptian Campaign where Napoleon is
given an army to defeat the British by attacking
their economic lifeline (Egypt). Through this
Campaign, the intent is for Napoleon and France
to disrupt Britain’s trade with India.
1798 - Battle of Nile a.k.a. Battle of Abukir Bay.
Napoleon is defeated by British navy led by
Admiral Nelson.
1799 - While in Egypt, Napoleon’s scientists
found the Rosetta Stone. This was a stone
which enabled people to translate hieroglyphics.
Coalitions
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Definition: alliances between countries against
another country.
At first, French armies fought to keep a
coalition of European monarchs from crushing
the French Revolution.
Under Napoleon, France fought several wars
of conquest.
Beginning of Foreign Policy
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Napoleon’s Foreign Policy was designed to
isolate and defeat Great Britain as well as to
take control of all of Europe through military
conquest.
The soldiers of Napoleon’s armies were fueled
by Nationalism and directed by Napoleon’s
military genius. Together they exported the
revolutionary feelings of France to the rest of
Europe.
Napoleon’s Empire
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Napoleon was able to create an empire that
spanned the continent of Europe.
Napoleon was developing his empire through
wars of conquest because he believed that, in
order for France to retain a position of power
and relate to other European states, it had to
be an empire.
Early 1800’s
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In the early 1800’s, France under Napoleon
fought all of the major European powers
including Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia.
Battle of Ulm
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Took place in October 1805.
Fought against the Austrians.
Austrians expected Napoleon’s troops to attack
head-on, instead they attacked them from the
rear, cutting them off from any retreat.
Was Napoleon’s first major victory.
Battle of Austerlitz
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Took place in December of 1805.
Fought against the Russians (led by Alexander
I) and the Austrians (led by Francis II).
Led to another Napoleon victory.
Both Russia and Austria then made peace with
France on Napoleon’s terms.
Confederation of the Rhine
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Reorganization of the German states.
Signaled the dissolution of the Holy Roman
Empire.
Through this, Napoleon unified all German
principalities except Prussia and Austria, under
French rule.
These states that he controlled gave him men
and materials for his wars.
Battle of Berlin
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Took place in 1806.
Fought against the Prussians.
The Prussians were scared of France’s power
because of their previous two victories in Ulm
and Austerlitz as well as being able to unify the
German states under French control. They
thus declared war on France.
Napoleon defeats poorly led Prussian army
and occupies Berlin.
Battle of Friedland
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Took place in June of 1807.
Fought against the Russians.
Resulted in complete victory for Napoleon.
Europe Under French Rule
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Between 1807 and 1812, Napoleon was at the
height of his power.
His empire stretched from France to the
borders of Russia.
He governed France and the Netherlands
directly as Emperor.
Europe Under French Rule Cont’d…
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Spain, Italy and the Confederation of the Rhine
were Satellite States - their rulers followed
Napoleon’s policies.
In Spain, Napoleon made his brother Joseph,
King.
Napoleon also tied Austria and Prussia to
France as Allies.
During Napoleon’s Rule
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In his rule of this empire, Napoleon helped spread
ideas of the French Revolution across Europe.
Throughout the empire, he introduced religious
toleration, abolished serfdom (similar to slavery)
and reduced the power of the Catholic Church.
Napoleon made the Napoleonic Code the basis of
law in many European countries.
Some people welcomed Napoleon as a liberator,
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The Continental System
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Napoleon was very successful in battles on the
European continent, however he was unable to
defeat Britain.
1805 _____________________________________
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This defeat leads Napoleon to blockade British
ports to cut off vital trade.
Continental System Cont’d
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Brings forth the Berlin Decree _____________________________________
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This blockade is what was referred to as the
Continental System or Continental Blockade.
Purpose was to increase the export trade of
France and to halt the export trade of Britain.
Orders in Council
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Britain’s response to the the Continental
System.
Forbids neutrals to trade with France or any of
its allies, and the attempting traders must stop
at British ports first.
If neutrals disobeyed, Britain would seize
ships.
Milan Decree
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Napoleon’s response to Britain’s Orders in
Council.
Through this, Napoleon “tightens the blockade”
Indicated that
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Failure of the Continental System
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Through the blockade, Britain lost trade,
however France suffered more.
Britain’s Navy was very strong and was able
to enforce their Orders in Council effectively.
The British Navy was able to cut off overseas
ports to France and the rest of the continent.
This weakened the French economy.
Increased opposition to Napoleon among
neutral nations who blamed him for their loss of
trade resulted as well.
Failure Cont’d…
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Increased opposition to Napoleon among
neutral nations who blamed him for their loss of
trade resulted as well.
Although Russians agreed to blockade in 1807,
their economy could not handle it.
Czar Alexander thus resumed trade with Britain
in 1812.
Nationalism Grew Across Europe
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Opposition to Napoleon grew among the
conquered and allied people of Europe. They
were developing a sense of Nationalism (pride of
devotion to one’s country).
They
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They wanted to restore their own govt’s, customs
and traditions.
As a result of the above, revolts broke out all over
Europe.
Revolt in Spain- Peninsular War
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Uprising against Napoleon’s brother that ruled in
Spain.
Spanish people were loyal to Catholic Church
and former king. They hated the French.
Groups of patriotic Spaniards ambushed French
troops in hit-and-run attacks (guerilla warfare).
1808 - Britain sends troops to help Spanish and
Portuguese (also fought French rule).
1812 - Spanish and Portuguese nationalists
ousted French from their nations.
Events in Prussia
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Nationalist leaders reorganize the gov’t to
make it more efficient.
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Prussia also rebuilt its army. It was now
capable of standing up to France. It just
needed an opportunity to strike. This came
when Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812.
Downfall of Napoleon
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Czar Alexander resumes trade w/ Britain in
1812 (goes against the Continental System).
Napoleon is MAD at this and assembles a
GRAND ARMY of over 500 000 men.
May 1812- Napoleon marches with Grand
Army on Russia.
Russian Campaign
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Is a disaster. Napoleon wants a quick victory, but
Russians won’t stand and fight.
As French army marched, Russian soldiers
(Cossacks) picked them off from the sides of the
road.
As Russians retreated, they slashed and burned
crops and homes (SCORCHED EARTH POLICY).
French enter Moscow on Sept. 14, 1812 but city is
empty and burning. Fire engines all broken down.
Russian Campaign Cont’d…
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Napoleon waits five more weeks as Autumn
sets in, but Alexander won’t discuss peace and
there is no one to fight.
Napoleon retreats. Only 100 000 troops are
left.
As winter comes, thousands of soldiers starve
or freeze to death.
December 1812 - remaining 20 000 soldiers
stumble out of Russia.
Alliance against Napoleon
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Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia sense
France’s weakness & pounce on weakened
French army (Battle of Nations or Battle of
Leipzig)
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1814 - Allies capture Paris.
Napoleon abdicates and goes to exile on the
island of Elba.
The Hundred Days
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Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) is made
monarch in France following Napoleon’s exile.
He DID NOT revive the Old Regime.
1814 _____________________________________
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He also keeps the Napoleonic code.
Many emigres return to France with the
intention of revenge against supporters of the
French Revolution.
Hundred Days Cont’d…
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March 1815 - Napoleon takes advantage of the
disturbances in Paris brought forth by Louis
XVIII new ways and returns. Upon his return in
Paris, he once again proclaims himself
Emperor.
He worked for
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Hundred Days Cont’d…
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June 1815 - joint British and Prussian army led
by the Duke of Wellington fought Napoleon and
his troops at _____________________.
Following the loss, Napoleon was exiled to the
island of St. Helena.
1821 - Napoleon dies from Arsenic poisoning.
Impact of Napoleon on Europe
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Napoleon changed European political
boundaries through his wars.
Napoleon contributed to the growing spirit of
Nationalism in Europe.
Revolutionary ideals of political and social
justice spread throughout Europe.
By 1815, France was no longer the strongest
and richest nation in Europe. Great Britain
moved ahead in commerce and industry.