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Napoleon and The Empire
Napoleon came to power and promised to bring stability and peace to the
French people. Stability was achieved. Peace was also achieved,
temporarily. Ten years of off and on battles with Austria, Britain and other
members of the coalitions were halted in 1802. Tensions remained however,
and as a ‘career general’; Napoleon used the military to expand Frances
power and might.
Treaty of Amiens – agreement not to fight signed between France and
Britain in 1802. This was the only year during Napoleon’s reign that
European countries were not fighting each other.
The Coalitions – Many times during and just prior to Napoleon’s reign,
countries allied together to challenge France. Most of the time, these
coalitions were not successful because of the distrust between their
members.
example: 1st Coalition – began as a response against the possible
spread of the French revolution to the rest of Europe. (1792-95).
Involves mainly Austria and Prussia, later includes Britain, Spain and
Holland.
NAPOLEON’S Military Campaigns
There were two main objectives behind Napoleon’s foreign policy:
- to isolate and defeat Britain
- to dominate all of Europe
Napoleon’s career in the military began during the French revolution and he
rose in importance through his early military victories. (vs Austria in northern
Italy).
1) Egyptian Campaign
The French wanted to invade Britain, but Britain’s naval superiority
made that impossible. Instead, France struck at Britain economically, by
trying to push the British out of Egypt. The British needed access to the Suez
Cannel to have a short route to its colony of India.
The French easily defeated the Mamelukes (Egyptian force) July 1798.
The Battle of the Pyramids lasted only one hour. Two weeks later though,
the British Fleet, lead by Admiral Horatio Nelson, smashed the French fleet
anchored at Alexandria, trapping the 35,000 French soldiers in Egypt.
In Feb. 1799, Napoleon expanded the campaign into Syria, which also
brought Turkey into the conflict. There were some quick victories, but the
troops became tied down with a long siege on the city of Acre. Hundreds of
French soldiers were killed in battle and hundreds more were either killed or
weakened by an outbreak of the plague. Napoleon although refusing to admit
defeat returned to Cairo. Hearing of the strife in Paris, he secretly left his
troops and returned home in August, 1799.
2)
The Danube Campaign 1805
In 1805, with France’s power expanding, the Third Coalition (A,Br,R,Swd)
was born. Prussia, led by Fredrick William III, stayed out of this grouping.
Napoleon had been planning on attacking Britain, but the British Naval Fleet
defeated the French fleet at Trafalgar in Oct 1805. Napoleon decided to
strengthen his power in Europe. The Danube campaign began in the fall of
1805.
Battle at ULM – Sept,Oct 1805
Austrian General Mack invades Bavaria (southern Germany today) and heads
to Ulm. Napoleon’s forces sweep to the east, behind Mack, to cut him off
from help he expected from the Russians. By Oct 20, Mack has to surrender
along with all 50,000 of his troops.
- Napoleon’s first major victory. Austrian influence in Europe decreases
Battle of AUSTERLITZ – Dec 1805 (Battle of the Emperors)
The French Army continued to move eastward for an eventual clash with the
remnants of the Austrian army and the Russian force, led by Alexander I.
The French were outnumbered (87,000 to 73,000), but an effective strategy
kept the French string of victories going.
- Napoleon pretends to have a weak right side and backs away from the
high land. Reinforcements are on the way though. The Russians are
drawn into this trap. Napoleon gives the order to retake the center
(Prazten heights). The Russian army is split and Napoleon begins to
surround it.
- This battle practically destroyed the Austrian and Russian armies in
one day. Peace was forced on Austria with the treaty of Pressburg.
3)
The Prussian Campaign 1806-1808
Prussia had remained neutral in 1805 and had received the territory of
Hanover as a bribe. In 1806 Napoleon continued to make land claims against
Prussia and even considered giving Hanover to the British. Both sides
prepared for battle, with the Prussians allying with the Russians starting the
4th coalition.
Battle of Jena - Oct 1806– 90,000 French vs 30,000 Prussians – The
French almost lost but their cavalry saved the day. Napoleon thought he was
facing the bulk of the Prussian army but most of it was gathered further north
at Auerstädt. Here French commander Davout’s corps of 26,000 faced the
Prussian army of 64,000. The French held a strong defensive position and
when the time was right, attacked and the Prussian army began to break up.
The Prussian army was in disarray but Fredrick William refused
Napoleon’s peace terms. Having arranged the support of the Russians,
Prussia and France would continue to battle throughout the winter of 1806.
Battle of Eylau - Feb 1807 – France vs. Russia – generally considered
a draw.
Battle of Freidland – June 1807 – France – 17,000 vs Russia 60,000.
The Russians were confident in victory, but once again Napoleon pulls out a
miracle. The Russian commander sensed the French were weak and started
sending his troops across the river on the night of June 13. The French
soldiers put up a strong resistence the next day and around noon, Napoleon
arrives with 80,000 more troops. The Russians are now trapped between a
larger army and the river and the battle ended quickly.
Friedland ended the coalition and forced Russia and Prussia to sign the
Treaty of Tilsit. Prussia lost one third of its land and basically became
controlled by the French. Russia was forced into joining the Continental
system. This was the height of Napoleon’s power.
The Russian Campaign – 1812 – 1813
(make your own notes from the handout and class discussion)
The Hundred Days and Waterloo
Following his loss at the Battle of the Nations (Leipzig), Napoleon was
forced to abdicate as the coalition forces marched towards Paris. (April
1814) A Bourbon king (Louis XVIII) was placed back on the throne of
France and Napoleon was exiled to a small island in the Mediterranean called
Elba. His situation was not as terrible as it seemed. Napoleon kept his title, a
‘toy’ army of 400 men and received a yearly income of 2 million francs.
Napoleon was not content on Elba and Louis XVIII was struggling as the
ruler of France, trying to bring back the old society. Napoleon, recognizing
his chance, slipped off Elba with a small army or followers and returned to
France. He was welcomed back as a hero by his former soldiers and began to
march towards Paris. Louis fled and Napoleon was once again in charge.
(text pg.67)
Battle of WATERLOO
….THE CLASH OF THE TITANS ……Napoleon vs Wellington…
winner takes all…
Location – small region of Belgium called Waterloo
Napoleon had raised an army of over 70,000 but faced a combined British
(68,000) and Prussian force (80,000). Once again he showed his former
military genius. He knew he could defeat each individually, but together, he
would be in tough.
The main battle took place on June 18, 1815. British and French forces
clashed at Waterloo, while the Prussians remained separated from the action,
a few miles away. The battle began at 11 am, because the field was muddy
from rains the night prior. The fighting was fierce and bloody. By late
afternoon, Napoleon made one last desperate attempt to break the British line
with a cavalry charge. It almost succeeded. His elite Imperial Guard then
charged but was repelled by the British, and with the Prussians closing in,
Napoleon’s army began to break up.
Napoleon was not treated as kindly this time. He was exiled to a small
British island in the south Atlantic, St.Helena.