napoleon’s empire collapses. napoleon makes 3 costly mistakes continental system blockade of...
TRANSCRIPT
Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Napoleon makes 3 Costly MistakesContinental System
Blockade of Britain
Economic plan to strengthen EuropeWeaken Britain
Smugglers and uncooperative allies
Britain responds with own blockadeBritain wins War of 1812 with
no major damage
Napoleon needs a male heirDivorces barren wifeMarries Austrian Princess
Has a son, Napoleon II
Peninsular War
Napoleon sends troops across Spain Causes a big protest
Napoleon makes his brother King of Spain
Spanish guerrillas resistSmall groups that attacked then disappearedBritain aids guerrillas
Napoleon loses 300,000 soldiersOther nationalist rebels fight the French
Portugal ignores Continental System
War lasts 5 years
The Invasion of RussiaRelations with Russia break down
Napoleon decides to invadeJune 1812 420,000 French Troops invade Russia
Russians use scorched-earth-policyBurn grain fields, slaughter live stock, and leave
nothing for the enemyNapoleon finds Moscow burnt
Tries to stay for 5 weeks and gave up
Ordered army back to FranceDisease, wounds, exhaustion, and severe cold
Only 10,000 troops make it back
Napoleon’s DownfallBritain, Prussia, Sweden, Russia, and Austria join forcesNapoleon’s army depleted
Lost over 710,000 troopsMust recruit poorly trained non-veterans
Napoleon quickly defeatedExiled to ElbaA tiny island off the coast of Italy
Napoleon’s EndLouis XVIII crowned king- The Hundred Days Begins
Soon overthrown and Napoleon returns
British and Prussian forces defeat FranceBattle of Waterloo
Napoleon exiled to St. HelenaDies six years later
Poisoned?