napoleon’s empire. it all falls apart…. “a government like ours to strengthen itself, must...
TRANSCRIPT
It all falls apart….
“A government like ours to strengthen itself, must dazzle and astonish…it must be
the first or collapse.”
England is last enemy standing
“If I can be master of the Channel for six hours, I can be the master of the world.”
Continental System 1806
• If you cannot beat the British on land or sea, you can try to do it economically.
• Economic blockade of England
• Hurts continent far more than England
• Impossible to enforce, therefore, smuggling
Effort to stop smuggling helps inspire invasion of Spain
• 1808-118,000 men into Spain
• Expects to be considered a liberator; no empathy for the conquered
Marriage to Marie Louise1810
• “I want to marry a womb”
• Part of his system of shifting alliances. At different times, he is allied with Austria, Prussia and Russia.
Why does he go into Russia?
“A government like ours to strengthen itself, must dazzle and astonish…it must be the first or
collapse.”
What does he think will happen?
• “If he (Emperor Alexander) were a woman, I would make her my lover”
He returns to Paris
• What do you think the reaction of the Austrians, English, Prussians, Spanish, Belgians…..is?
• Battle of Nations, October 1813
• He abdicates 4-4-14
• Louis XVIII is made king.
• A white terror- they try and undo every single thing that came from the Revolution.