Napoleon’s Empire Collapses - Northern Highlands€™s Empire Collapses . Napoleon ... Leader of Russia & Napoleon’s ally ... Wars, involving more than 250,000 soldiers and

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