Napoleon IEmperor of France

1769 - 1821

Napoleon

Revised M. Harvie

Origins

Born In Corsica, the ‘Little Corporal’, distinguished himself at the French military academies where he was educated.

After crushing a rebellion in Paris he was soon promoted to Central army commander to General of the Italian armies.

Married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796

Popularity?

The question we have to ask though is…..?

“Was Napoleon well liked in school?”

Learning Objectives

'As a rule it is easy to find officers, but it is sometimes very hard to find non-commissioned officers.‘

Napoleon

Explain what this statement means to you? Does it hold true to this day? One paragraph response

French Revolution

Louis XVI executed in 1789 Revolutionaries opposed to monarchy and

promise to “liberate” their neighbors. 2/3 of officers removed/departed

– 67 generals killed in 1794

Commission/promotion based on merit. More soldiers, more unified/greater common

purpose.

Napoleon

Artilleryman promoted from Captain to Brevet Brigadier General.

Won acclaim in Toulon in 1793. Student of the military art

– Voracious reader

Rapid Rise

Napoleon’s rapid rise was due in part to the aftermath of the revolution. Many of the old guard had been executed or had fled the country.

He believed in a strong central executive. "We have finished the romance of the Revolution, we

mustnow begin its history, only seeking for what is real and   practicable in the application of its principles, and not   what is speculative and hypothetical."

Napoleon’s Tactics

Reconnaissance– Find gaps with skirmishers.

Concentrate artillery fire on the gaps.– Weight “main effort”

Pour exploitation force through the gap.– Reinforce success, not failure

Pursue with mobile forces.– Strategic offense and tactical defense.– Sought to do more than just attrite the enemy.

Campaigns

Italy

Austria

Spain

Russia

Empiric Extent

Ulm

Emperor Napoleon French have seven corps spread over a 100

mile front.– All converge on Ulm.

Converge between Russians and Austrians. Austrians surrender 27 thousand troops

without a fight.– Epitome of maneuver warfare…

Not all Victories

Even early on in his career, Napoleon did suffer notable defeats including the infamous Battle of Trafalgar where he was defeated by Nelson

Spanish Campaign

Conquered Portugal in 1807; Spain in 1808. Spanish populace was hostile. Guerilla warfare

– Locals provide intelligence.– Difficult to distinguish guerillas from civilians.– French (conventional) tactics vs. Spanish (guerilla)

strategy– Surfaces and gaps?

Entry of British regular forces eventually tipped the scales in favor of the Spaniards.

Russia

Napoleon moves west with army of 500 –600k in June 1812

Several battles (Smolensk, Borodino), but movement inflicts significant casualties as well– Russians leave nothing of use in wake of their

retreat– Weather (rain followed by heat) makes life

miserable

Moscow

"You are afraid of falling back through Moscow, but I consider it the only way of saving the army. Napoleon is a torrent which we are as yet unable to stem. Moscow will be the sponge that will suck him dry." --Russian Commander Kutuzov 1812

Russians torch Moscow as the French enter in Sept 1812.– City of 250k has only 25k when French arrive.

Napoleon’s army is exhausted and has no means to support itself.

Napoleon is anxious about being away from Paris for too long a period.

After occupying the city for a month, the decision is made to return to France before winter.

The Long Road Home

Napoleon chooses to use route of advance as route of return.– Nothing left to forage.– Pursued by Russians.– Morale continues to fall.

• 30k unburied bodies from Battle of Bordino six weeks prior.• Temps = 20 below zero.

Arrives in Poland mid-December with an army less than 10% the size of the one that departed.

The End of the Emperor

Exiled to Elba, but escapes– Not well, mentally or physically.– Reforms army (70-74k)– Wants to press attack before allies can mass.

British and allies withdraw to Brussels/Waterloo– British, German, Dutch, Belgian, Prussian (58-

67k)

Waterloo Wellington chose easily defended ground to fight on. Battle see-saws back and forth, with both sides on

the verge of victory at various points. Shortly before nightfall, Allies finally press through

and route French. One of bloodiest battles of history.

– Estimated over 60k killed.• 45k dead and wounded in 3 square mile area.

– Wounded left on battlefield for days. Napoleon exiled (again).

Napoleons Contributions

The Code Napoléon Economic reforms Religious freedom Freedom for the Jews Education reforms European unity

Napoleon’s Contributions Implementer vs. creator/innovator Corps

– Increased ability to maneuver; esprit Planning

– Studied his opponents and options and developed contingencies.– Proper prior planning prevents….

Esprit/Morale– “All men who value life more than the glory of the nation and the

esteem of their comrades should not be members of the French army.”

– “It is not the number of the troops that gives strength to an army, it is their loyalty and good humor.”

For Further Study

Napoleon as a Military Commander– http://www.napoleonseries.org/research/napole

on/c_genius.html

Napoleon and Military Innovation– http://www.napoleonseries.org/military/organiz

ation/c_rma.html