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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Napoleon Overreaches French Empire at
its height THREE key
strategic mistakes follow
MISTAKE #1 - Blockades After loss at Trafalgar Napoleon is stuck: Cannot invade Britain.
GB emerging as important center of Industry in Europe Napoleon uses economic warfare
The Continental System Blockade of all continental European ports Forbade all nations from trade & communication with
Britain Dual purpose:
Make Europe more self-sufficient Destroy GB’s commercial & industrial economy
Blockades Continental System “leaks” Smugglers (aided by GB) get through Other European nations disregard
Orders in Council – British (with stronger navy)
blockade French ports & forbade nations from trade with France Force ships bound for France to stop & be searched
in GB first This included U.S. ships
Blockades
Impressment? England didn’t have conscription Impressment was upheld by British courts to ensure
stability of British forces. The impressment of Americans caused tension
between Britain and the US…leading to…? In 1814, Britain ended the practice, and never
resumed it (after defeating Napoleon).
MISTAKE #2 The Peninsular War (1808)
Portugal refused to participate in Continental Blockade…
Napoleon sends troops across Spain to attack Portugal, causing protest
Napoleon removes king of Spain & installs his brother as king more anger Spanish also worried he would attack the
Church & weaken it (as he had in France)
The Peninsular War (1808 - 1814)
Spanish fight as guerrillas—small groups that attacked and then disappear (guerrilla warfare)
British aid Spanish guerrillas Napoleon loses 300,000 soldiers during this
Peninsular War Nationalist rebels throughout Europe fight the
French within France’s empire.
“Third of May, 1808” by Goya (1810)
The Peninsular War: repercussions Spain’s nationalism spreads Other’s in Europe (notably Germany & Italy), who
had at first welcomed Napoleon, turn against the French
MISTAKE #3 (the most costly) – The Invasion of Russia (1812)
Why Invade? Tsar Alexander I – Leader of Russia & Napoleon’s
ally Russia had lots of Raw Materials but few ways of
manufacturing them. Continental System hurt Russia Denied trade that was essential
for Russia’s economy Refused to stop selling grain to GB
France & Russia both had designs on Poland
Napoleon’s Greatest Blunder The Invasion of Russia (1812)
Russia pulls out of Continental System - 1812: Napoleon decides to invade Russia massed his forces in Poland to intimidate
Alexander. In late June Napoleon’s Grand Army—about
600,000 men, invaded Russia
The Invasion of Russia Russia refuses to meet France’s larger army in an
unequal battle They continually pull back into Russia Russians employ scorched-earth policy: destroying
crops, livestock, everything! This leaves NOTHING for French troops Supply lines become GREATLY overextended
Invasion of Russia Sept. 7 - the French catch up with the Russian
army at Borodino The Battle of Borodino was the largest and
bloodiest single-day action of the Napoleonic Wars, involving more than 250,000 soldiers and resulting in 30,000 FR casualties (& 40,000 RUS)
The French are “victorious” At the cost of 49 general officers and thousands of
men. The Russian army is able to disengage, leaving the
French without the decisive victory Napoleon sought.
Invasion of Russia
Sept. 14 - Napoleon’s enters Moscow Problem Rather than surrendering “The Holy City” -
Russians abandon Moscow & set it on fire Fire destroys the greater part of the town
Tsar Alexander refused to meet or discuss peace with Napoleon
Invasion of Russia: known in Russia as the Patriotic War of 1812
His troops exhausted, with few rations, no winter clothing, and his remaining horses in poor condition, Napoleon was forced to retreat
Onset of winter made retreat disastrous Russian guerilla raiders mercilessly attack Only 27,000 fit soldiers remained to France The Grand Armée had lost approx. 380,000 men dead
and 100,000 captured
French National Anthem La Marseillaise Cue up at 5:20 & 13:55 Tchaikovsky - 1812 Overture
Invasion of Russia
Napoleon’s Downfall Napoleon’s failure caused many European states
to defy Napoleon. Britain, Russia, Sweden, Austria & Prussia join
forces against France Battle of Leipzig: “Battle of the Nations” (October
1813), Napoleon’s (undertrained) Grand Armée was torn to shreds.
Napoleon’s Downfall January 1814 France being
attacked on all its frontiers. Paris was captured in March
1814 Napoleon wants to fight on --
his generals refuse Napoleon *abdicates* in April. Treaty of Fontainebleau exiles
Napoleon to Elba He had sovereignty over the
island and was allowed to retain his title of Emperor.
What happened to France ? Louis XVIII: Brother of Louis XVI takes
the throne Unpopular due to suspicion
of wanting to undo the Revolution’s land reforms
What were the Hundred Days ? Napoleon seizes on this news & escapes from
Elba Joyously welcomed back on March 1, 1815 1,000s join army
Again rules as Emperor
Where was Napoleon finished off? June 1815 Battle of Waterloo in Belgium British (Duke of Wellington) & French fight to stalemate
most of the day Prussian army arrives late afternoon
Napoleon defeated Napoleon’s last battle.
He is captured and imprisoned.
The Hundred Days are over
After Waterloo Napoleon exiled to the island of Saint Helena in the
Atlantic Ocean 1,000 mi. from any major landmass. After 6 years, he died as a prisoner Alexis de Tocqueville (writer): “He was as great as a
man can be without virtue”
Europe looks for lasting peace Congress of Vienna A desire for security & stability for Europe Attended by the “great powers”: Great Britain,
Russia, Prussia, Austria & France
Goals of the Congress of Vienna Host: Prince Klemens von Metternich of Austria Distrusted democratic ideals of French Rev.
Three Goals Prevent future French aggression by surrounding it with
strong countries Restore a Balance of Power –
no country a threat to others Restore Europe's royal families
to their thrones
Steps taken to strength countries: Former Austrian Netherlands & Dutch
Republic united to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands
The 39 German states were joined to form the German Confederation (dominated by Austria)
Switzerland recognized as an independent nation
The Kingdom of Sardinia (Italy) was strengthened by addition of Genoa
Europe – Before and After the Congress of Vienna
Steps taken about France Wanted to weaken France / but not leave it
powerless If France was severely punished, it might
seek revenge If France broken up, a neighboring country
might get too strong
So: they did NOT exact a great price from France
Steps taken about European monarchies Affirmed principle of legitimacy Restored ruling families of France, Spain, Italian
kingdoms & central Europe A European First!
First time that European countries had acted together to control political affairs
Legacy Stability:
No European war for 38 years (Crimean War – GB & France vs. Russia)
No World Wars between 1815 - 1914. Absolute Monarchies – Eastern Europe Constitutional Monarchies – England & France Holy Alliance - Russia, Austria & Prussia pledge to treat
other nations based on Christian principles to combat forces of revolution
Metternich issued the Carlsbad Decrees (1819) - Stifled Enlightenment ideas & freedom in German States.
Concert of Europe - Pledge that all European Nations would help if a revolution broke out
Eglise du Dome (Church Dome)
Napoleon's tomb ---- in 7 coffins - red
porphyry, iron, mahogany, lead, ebony, oak, marble