Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

Napoleon made 3 mistakes 1st: the Continental System—In November of

1806, Napoleon called for a blockade of all ports to limit Great Britain’s influence. This was called the Continental System. Its goal was to destroy GB’s economy and make Europe self-sufficient. GB made its own blockade and with its stronger

navy, it had better luck. This hurt France’s economy.

2nd: The Peninsular War—1808-Portugal was ignoring the Continental System, so Napoleon sent an army through Spain to invade Portugal. This upset the Spanish, so Napoleon kicked out their King and appointed his brother. Napoleon also outlawed the Spanish Inquisition For 5 years, Spanish guerillas struck at French

armies in Spain (the Peninsular War). Napoleon lost 300,000 men.

In Spain and across Europe, nationalism (loyalty to one’s own country) was becoming a powerful weapon against Napoleon

3rd: Invasion of Russia—1812:Russia and Napoleon both wanted Poland, and Russia refused to stop selling grain to Great Britain. June 1812: Napoleon invaded Russia. The Russians

retreated, burning their own lands as they went. How would the burning of Russian lands affect the

French?

Napoleon reached Moscow, but the Russians burned it down too

Napoleon turned around, but the Russians attacked his weak, cold, and starving army the whole way back to France. By the end, Napoleon had 10,000 men left out of an original 690,000

Napoleon’s Downfall Napoleon’s enemies took advantage of his weak

army. Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Sweden joined forces and defeated Napoleon.

April 1814: Napoleon surrendered his throne. He was given a small pension and banished to Elba.

Is Napoleon Back? We left Napoleon in Elba France is being ruled by Louis

XVI’s brother, but he is hated by his people

The Congress of Vienna is meeting to discuss the redrawing of Europe

Napoleon hears this, and escapes his prison to try and take back his throne

He ruled for 100 days before losing to the British at the Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon was sent to St. Helena, where he died six years later of a stomach illness.

Effects of Napoleon Rise of nationalism in European countries Napoleonic Code: one unified code of law for all

men and the giving up of individual rights for the good of the nation

Unsuccessful attempt to unify Europe under French domination

What do we do now? Napoleon has been kicked out of France, but

who is to lead? What will happen to France’s territories?

The heads of government in Europe wanted to establish long-lasting peace and security on the continent after so many years of warfare

The Congress of Vienna

A set of meetings where leaders from European nations met in 1815 to discuss their situation and decide what to do next.

The Congress of Vienna wanted to go B.A.C.K. to before 1789 What happened in 1789?

Hint:

B: Balance of Power—no country in Europe too powerful Who had gotten too powerful between 1789 and 1814?

A: A new map of Europe drawn that made France weaker

C: Congress of Vienna (1815) Peace conference after Napoleon Klaus von Metternich the leader

K: Kings restored to power (the principle of legitimacy)

Congress of Vienna(1814-1815)

European monarchs sought to turn back the clock to 1789 and restore Europe’s Old Regime

Members included the “Big Four” and France

Austria – Prince Metternich England – Duke of Wellington and Lord Castlereagh France – Talleyrand Prussia – Frederick William III, Hardenberg, and Humboldt Russia – Tsar Alexander I

Metternich (1773-1859)

• Opposed democracy and nationalism• Proposed principles of compensation and

legitimacy

Metternich’s Three Goals

1. First, he wanted to make sure that the French would not attack another country again

2. Second, he wanted a balance of power in which no one nation was too strong

3. Third, he wanted to put kings back in charge of the countries from which they had been removed

Europe 1812What do younotice aboutthe map?

How muchterritory isunderNapoleon?

How do youpredict thatthe map willchange afterthe Congressof Vienna?

Effects of the Congress of Vienna

Emergence of new political philosophies: Liberalism: wanted the governments to be based on a

constitution Conservatism: wanted to return to absolute monarchies

Rise of Nationalism: the loyalty of people to their values, traditions, and geographic regions

The enforcement of absolute monarchies led to discontent in Europe (especially Italy and the German states) and caused revolutions in 1848 that were unsuccessful but increased nationalism.

Fate of Nationalism People had no say over territorial changes

Language, nationality, and religion weren’t taken into consideration

Ideas of democracy and self-government were rejected by European leadership

Soon enough, concessions were made

Europe after the Congress of Vienna (1815)

Results of the Congress of Vienna

Concert of Europe – group of leading nations which periodically met to discuss issues regarding stability

Temporary suppression of democratic and nationalistic ideals

International peace – no general war in Europe until World War I a hundred years later Crimean War (1854-1856) Austro-Prussian War (1866) Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)