The Napoleonic WarsThe Napoleonic Wars

A Fragile PeaceA Fragile Peace

The War of the Second Coalition ended The War of the Second Coalition ended with Austria at the Treaty of Luneville in with Austria at the Treaty of Luneville in Feb. 1801.Feb. 1801.The British continued the war, forcing the The British continued the war, forcing the surrender of the French remaining in surrender of the French remaining in Egypt in summer of 1801Egypt in summer of 1801The treaty of Amiens, signed in March The treaty of Amiens, signed in March 1802, created a fragile peace between 1802, created a fragile peace between France and Britain.France and Britain.

War of the Third Coalition (1805-07)War of the Third Coalition (1805-07)

Both sides were not content with current Both sides were not content with current peace.peace.In 1803, Great Britain renewed its war In 1803, Great Britain renewed its war against France.against France.In 1805, Austria and Russia joined the In 1805, Austria and Russia joined the coalition (Prussia remained neutral at the coalition (Prussia remained neutral at the outset.)outset.)Napoleon moved into Germany, defeating Napoleon moved into Germany, defeating the Austrians at the Battle of Ulm on Oct the Austrians at the Battle of Ulm on Oct 17, 1805.17, 1805.

War at SeaWar at Sea

Throughout 1804-1805, Napoleon planned Throughout 1804-1805, Napoleon planned to invade Britain.to invade Britain.The British Navy blockaded French The British Navy blockaded French controlled ports throughout Europe, controlled ports throughout Europe, keeping most of the fleet bottled up.keeping most of the fleet bottled up.Across the globe both sides engaged the Across the globe both sides engaged the other, attempting to disrupt the trade of the other, attempting to disrupt the trade of the other side.other side.

Battle of TrafalgarBattle of Trafalgar

Just four days after Just four days after Napoleon’s victory at Ulm, Napoleon’s victory at Ulm, the combined French and the combined French and Spanish fleets were Spanish fleets were smashed at the Battle of smashed at the Battle of Trafalgar (Oct. 21, 1805).Trafalgar (Oct. 21, 1805).The strategic daring of The strategic daring of Admiral Nelson and the Admiral Nelson and the tactical superiority of the tactical superiority of the British fleet won the day.British fleet won the day.With reduced naval power, With reduced naval power, Napoleon had to suspend Napoleon had to suspend his invasion plans.his invasion plans.

War on LandWar on Land

Moving East from Ulm, Napoleon defeated Moving East from Ulm, Napoleon defeated a combined Austrian and Russian force at a combined Austrian and Russian force at Austerlitz on Dec. 2, 1805.Austerlitz on Dec. 2, 1805.Austria signed Treaty of Pressburg, Austria signed Treaty of Pressburg, relinquishing most of its Italian relinquishing most of its Italian possessions (Third Coalition dissolves).possessions (Third Coalition dissolves).In July, 1806, Napoleon reorganized In July, 1806, Napoleon reorganized western Germany into a satellite called the western Germany into a satellite called the Confederation of the Rhine (provided Confederation of the Rhine (provided buffer).buffer).

French Victories on LandFrench Victories on LandNapoleon dissolved the Holy Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire (Francis II Roman Empire (Francis II became Francis I of Austria)became Francis I of Austria)War of Fourth Coalition begins.War of Fourth Coalition begins.Prussia entered the war, on Prussia entered the war, on Oct, 14, 1806 Napoleon Oct, 14, 1806 Napoleon defeated them a the Battles of defeated them a the Battles of Jena and Auerstadt.Jena and Auerstadt.Napoleon took the capital Berlin Napoleon took the capital Berlin in late October.in late October.Napoleon moved into East Napoleon moved into East Prussia in spring, 1807, Prussia in spring, 1807, defeating the Russians at defeating the Russians at Friedland on June 13Friedland on June 13thth..

The Treaties of TilsitThe Treaties of Tilsit

Napoleon meets with Tsar Alexander I and Napoleon meets with Tsar Alexander I and Frederick William III of Prussia.Frederick William III of Prussia.Treaties end War of Fourth Coalition.Treaties end War of Fourth Coalition.Prussia losses half of its territory to Prussia losses half of its territory to Saxony and The Grand Duchy of Warsaw Saxony and The Grand Duchy of Warsaw (Polish satellite of France)(Polish satellite of France)Russia was given a free hand to deal with Russia was given a free hand to deal with the Ottoman Empire in return for support the Ottoman Empire in return for support against Britain.against Britain.

1807

We Are Family…We Are Family…Treaties allow Napoleon to place Treaties allow Napoleon to place his family members on the his family members on the thrones of Europe.thrones of Europe.– Brother Joseph – King of Brother Joseph – King of

Naples (and later Spain), Naples (and later Spain), replaced by Marshall Murat and replaced by Marshall Murat and Napoleon’s sister Caroline.Napoleon’s sister Caroline.

– Brother Louis – King of HollandBrother Louis – King of Holland– Brother Jerome – King of Brother Jerome – King of

WestphaliaWestphalia– Napoleon divorces Josephine Napoleon divorces Josephine

in 1810, marring princes Marie in 1810, marring princes Marie Louise of Austria (Habsburg) Louise of Austria (Habsburg) and bears him a son the and bears him a son the following year.following year.

Joseph Napoleon Bonaparte

The Continental SystemThe Continental SystemUnable to beat the British at sea, Napoleon Unable to beat the British at sea, Napoleon launched the Continental System with the launched the Continental System with the Berlin Decrees of 1806 (expanded through Berlin Decrees of 1806 (expanded through the Milan Decree of 1807).the Milan Decree of 1807).Any ship from Britain of caring British goods Any ship from Britain of caring British goods were banned from European ports.were banned from European ports.The British responded with the Orders in The British responded with the Orders in Council, requiring all ships entering or Council, requiring all ships entering or leaving European ports to stop at British leaving European ports to stop at British ports.ports.

The Continental SystemThe Continental System

The two blockades caused considerable The two blockades caused considerable economic hardship across Europe.economic hardship across Europe.The blockade hurt British trade and The blockade hurt British trade and caused soaring unemployment and rioting caused soaring unemployment and rioting in 1811.in 1811.France suffered from a lack of imported France suffered from a lack of imported raw materials.raw materials.French satellites suffered as well, causing French satellites suffered as well, causing widespread discontent, even though widespread discontent, even though smuggling was rampant.smuggling was rampant.

The Peninsular War (1807-1814)The Peninsular War (1807-1814)Portugal and France’s ally Portugal and France’s ally Spain both failed to enforce Spain both failed to enforce the Continental System.the Continental System.In late 1807, the French In late 1807, the French occupied both nations.occupied both nations.In early 1808, Napoleon In early 1808, Napoleon deposed the Bourbon deposed the Bourbon monarchy and installed his monarchy and installed his brother Joseph on the brother Joseph on the throne.throne.The Spanish rose in revolt, The Spanish rose in revolt, which was brutally which was brutally suppressed by the French.suppressed by the French.

Francisco Goya: The Third of May, 1808

The Peninsular War (1807-1814)The Peninsular War (1807-1814)

The British sent troops under Sir Arthur The British sent troops under Sir Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) to Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) to support the insurgents.support the insurgents.The British Naval superiority was used to The British Naval superiority was used to support the expeditionary force.support the expeditionary force.The war continued until 1814, slowing The war continued until 1814, slowing wearing down the French and keeping wearing down the French and keeping vital troops and supplies from other fronts.vital troops and supplies from other fronts.

War of the Fifth Coalition (1809)War of the Fifth Coalition (1809)

Along with British and Spanish warfare on Along with British and Spanish warfare on the Iberian Peninsula, Austria rejoined the the Iberian Peninsula, Austria rejoined the fight against Napoleon in spring 1809.fight against Napoleon in spring 1809.Napoleon defeated the Austrians at Napoleon defeated the Austrians at Wagram in July 1809, occupying Vienna.Wagram in July 1809, occupying Vienna.Under the Treaty of Schonbrunn, Austria Under the Treaty of Schonbrunn, Austria ceded land to Bavaria, Warsaw and ceded land to Bavaria, Warsaw and France.France.Napoleon takes Pope Pius VII prisoner for Napoleon takes Pope Pius VII prisoner for opposing Continental System and opposing Continental System and annexed the Papal States.annexed the Papal States.

Changes in the Colonial EmpiresChanges in the Colonial EmpiresSpain is convinced to Spain is convinced to return Louisiana to France, return Louisiana to France, but due to French naval but due to French naval inferiority, Napoleon sells it inferiority, Napoleon sells it to the United States in to the United States in 1803.1803.In Haiti, a slave revolt led In Haiti, a slave revolt led by Toussaint L'Ouverture by Toussaint L'Ouverture leads to Haitian leads to Haitian independence in 1804.independence in 1804.The Spanish colonies took The Spanish colonies took opportunities as well under opportunities as well under Simon Bolivar to gain Simon Bolivar to gain independence.independence.

The Russian Campaign, 1812The Russian Campaign, 1812Tensions rise between Tensions rise between Napoleon and Tsar Napoleon and Tsar Alexander I refuses to Alexander I refuses to support the Continental support the Continental System.System.Napoleon raises a Napoleon raises a “Grande Armée” of “Grande Armée” of 691,501 men to invade 691,501 men to invade Russia in June, 1812.Russia in June, 1812.By mid August, French By mid August, French advance 300 miles with advance 300 miles with no major battles.no major battles.Russians retreat, trading Russians retreat, trading for space and time and for space and time and burning all left behind burning all left behind (“scorched earth”)(“scorched earth”)

The Russian Campaign, 1812The Russian Campaign, 1812On Sept.7, the Russians under On Sept.7, the Russians under Mikhail Kutuzov battle French at Mikhail Kutuzov battle French at Borodino, 75 miles west of Borodino, 75 miles west of Moscow; no clear victor.Moscow; no clear victor.On Sept. 14, Napoleon entered On Sept. 14, Napoleon entered a burned Moscow.a burned Moscow.Tsar Alexander refused to Tsar Alexander refused to surrender.surrender.Low on supplies, Napoleon Low on supplies, Napoleon began to retreat on Oct. 19began to retreat on Oct. 19thth

The Russian winter soon set in, The Russian winter soon set in, and by December, only 22,000 and by December, only 22,000 men in the Grande Armee men in the Grande Armee remained alive.remained alive.

French Troop Numbers in RussiaFrench Troop Numbers in Russia

War of the Sixth Coalition (1812-14)War of the Sixth Coalition (1812-14)A.k.a. – Wars of Liberation. A.k.a. – Wars of Liberation. Coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sweden, Coalition of Austria, Prussia, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and a number of German the United Kingdom, and a number of German States (notably Bavaria) to take advantage of States (notably Bavaria) to take advantage of Napoleon’s Russian defeat.Napoleon’s Russian defeat.Napoleon raises an army of around 400,000 Napoleon raises an army of around 400,000 French troops supported by a quarter of a million French troops supported by a quarter of a million French allied troops to contest control of French allied troops to contest control of Germany. Germany. In Germany, In Germany, national resistancenational resistance grows in grows in Bavaria, Prussia and Austria, who join the Bavaria, Prussia and Austria, who join the Russians in opposing Napoleon.Russians in opposing Napoleon.Revolts in Spain continue to drain men and Revolts in Spain continue to drain men and resources.resources.

The Battle of NationsThe Battle of NationsThe Battle of Leipzig, Oct. 16-19 1813.The Battle of Leipzig, Oct. 16-19 1813.Napoleon soundly defeated by Russians, Napoleon soundly defeated by Russians, Prussians and Austrians in the largest Prussians and Austrians in the largest battle in European history to that point.battle in European history to that point.

The Fall of NapoleonThe Fall of Napoleon

Napoleon was offered a peace settlement Napoleon was offered a peace settlement keeping his throne, but he refused.keeping his throne, but he refused.Nov. 1813, the Dutch revolted.Nov. 1813, the Dutch revolted.The British army led by the Duke of The British army led by the Duke of Wellington advanced from Spain into Wellington advanced from Spain into Southern France.Southern France.Jan. 1814, Russian, Prussian and Austrian Jan. 1814, Russian, Prussian and Austrian forces invade France and enter Paris on forces invade France and enter Paris on March 31March 31stst..

The Abdication The Abdication April 11, 1814, April 11, 1814, Napoleon abdicated.Napoleon abdicated.Retains title and Retains title and exiled to island of exiled to island of Elba.Elba.Bourbons restored Bourbons restored with Louis XVIII with Louis XVIII (r.1814-24), younger (r.1814-24), younger brother of Louis XVI.brother of Louis XVI.Napoleon’s abdication order

Reasons for Napoleon’s FallReasons for Napoleon’s FallImperial overreach – the Imperial overreach – the attempt to defeat all attempt to defeat all enemies and dominate enemies and dominate Europe.Europe.National resistance – National resistance – the despotic nature of the despotic nature of the empire led to the empire led to nationalist revolts.nationalist revolts.Loss of support at home Loss of support at home – French war weary – French war weary after 25 years of war.after 25 years of war.