Ch. 23, Sec. 3 (cont.)

Napoleon Creates an Empire Conquering Europe – Takes control of much of Europe – Largest empire since the Romans. – Only Great Britain is left as a major enemy  great naval power

Battle of Trafalgar Battle of Trafalgar – Off the coast of Spain – Naval battle – G.B. versus France (Horatio Nelson vs. Napoleon) – G.B. is victorious – destroys the French fleet Consequences of this defeat: 1.Ensures G.B.’s naval supremacy for the next 100 years 2.Forces Napoleon to give up plans of invading Britain; however, he will look for another way to crush Britain – this will eventually lead to Napoleon’s downfall

French Empire Throughout his rule, Napoleon controls, either directly or indirectly, most of Europe. Indirect Control? 1. Control the ruler (puppets of Napoleon) – many of the “independent” countries were being ruled by people that Napoleon had put into power (some were even members of his family). 2. Others were manipulated by threats of military action. THE FRENCH EMPIRE WAS HUGE BUT UNSTABLE!! Map of the First French Empire in 1811, with the Empire in dark blue (direct control) and satellite states in light blue (indirect control).

Ch. 23, Sec. 4 Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

Napoleon’s 1 st Costly Mistake Mistake #1 - The Continental System (began in 1806) Napoleon wanted to prevent all trade between Great Britain the rest of Europe. To do this, he established a blockade (a forcible closing of ports). Why? 1.Make continental Europe more self-sufficient 2.Destroy G.B.’s commercial and industrial economy Problem: Trade was not totally stopped. It was only weakened. It addition, G.B. established it’s own blockade. With G.B.’s strong navy, they were able to make a better blockade. U.S. Connection: As part of G.B.’s blockade, they would force all neutral ships to be searched and taxed. This angered the Americans  War of 1812

Napoleon’s 2 nd Costly Mistake Mistake #2 – The Peninsular War Napoleon wanted to enforce the Continental System on Portugal. To get to Port., he had to go through Spain. The Spanish protested. So… N. removed the Spanish king and put his own brother on the throne  this increased Spanish nationalism. Francisco Goya - The Third of May 1808 Spanish peasant fighters, known as guerillas, fought French forces for 6 years. The guerillas worked in small forces and ambushed French forces. In addition, G.B. sent troops to aid the Spanish. Napoleon was defeated and in the process lost 30,000 men.

Napoleon’s 3 rd Costly Mistake Mistake #3 - The Invasion of Russia Napoleon invaded Russia –Why? 1. Czar Alexander I wouldn’t stop selling grain to G.B. 2. Napoleon and Alexander I both wanted Poland Napoleon and 420,000 soldiers marched into Russia. Outnumbered, the Russians practiced a scorched-earth policy (burned fields and killed livestock leaving nothing for the invading troops to live on) When Napoleon reached Moscow, he found the city had been purposefully burned (actually, it is not certain what or who started the fire – what is true is that approximately 4/5 of Moscow was destroyed by the fires) Napoleon’s army began their retreat in November. Between the cold winter, the lack of food, the Russian attacks, and a few major battles, the French army had only 10,000 men left by the end of their retreat. Napoleon retreating from Moscow

Napoleon’s Downfall Taking advantage of Napoleon’s troubles, Britain, Russia, Prussia, Sweden, and Austria all declared war on France. Napoleon was defeated and exiled to the island of Elba (off the coast of Italy) The Hundred Days – Napoleon escaped from Elba after hearing that many of the French were not happy with their new ruler, Louis XVIII (Louis XVII, the son of Louis VXI, had died in prison) – March 1, 1815 – Napoleon lands in France and is quickly named emperor of France – June 18, Battle of Waterloo – France is defeated by British and Prussian forces Napoleon is shipped to St. Helena, a south Atlantic island. He dies 6 years later. Side Note: Napoleon divorced his first wife, Josephine, after she was unable to provide an heir. He then married the grandniece of Marie Antoinette, Marie Louise. They had a son, Napoleon II. While N. was in Elba, Mary Louise secretly married another man, and N.’s son died from TB at the age of 21.

Josephine

Coronation of Empress Josephine

Marie Louise and Napoleon II

Speaking about Napoleon, French writer, Alexis de Tocqueville, once said, “He was as great as a man can be without virtue.” What do you have to say about Napoleon?