French Empire Collapses Napoleon’s ambitions and desire for power create a vast empire …. & lead to his fall from power Three major mistakes: Continental System Peninsular War Invasion of Russia

Continental System Designed to Isolate Britain, destroy its economy Make Europe self-sufficient British ships not allowed in European ports Britain set up its own blockade – stopped & searched ships heading to European continent US gets very upset about this & declares war on Britain – the War of 1812

Peninsular War France goes to war with Spain after France invades Spain to get to Portugal, which refuses to follow the Continental System (Called Peninsular war because Spain is located on the Iberian Peninsula) Spanish resist - don’t want French troops there & fear what changes Napoleon will make Napoleon replaces Spanish King with his brother Bands of Spanish guerilla fighters attack French troops Britain sends help to Spain Huge military losses weaken Napoleon’s power & the French Empire

Invasion of Russia Most disastrous mistake! Russian Czar Alexander I refused to stop selling grain to Britain Both leaders suspect the other one wants to conquer Poland Napoleon decides to attack Russia 400,000-600,000 (different # from different sources) French troops march into Russia – only 10,000 make it back alive Russians used “scorched-earth” tactic to defeat the French As the French advanced – Russians pulled back, burned everything & killed livestock to eliminate food for the French troops

Invasion of Russia After a battle in Borodino, Napoleon makes it to Moscow Czar Alexander I had burned the whole city Napoleon makes a fatal mistake by staying there too long By the time he & his troops headed home, the Russian winter had begun – Russian winters are brutal – downfall of many!! Exhausted, hungry, cold, tired French soldiers were continuously attacked by Russians on their journey home Many also died from exposure, wounds, hunger, etc. Napoleon’s enemies seize the opportunity to attack

Napoleon’s Downfall European powers - Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria & Sweden join forces against Napoleon & declare war on France Napoleon raises an army, but it’s not very well trained He’s defeated in Germany, and allied countries head to Paris Napoleon surrenders, gives up the throne & is exiled to Elba, a tiny island off the Italian coast Louis XVI’s brother (Louis XVIII) takes the throne French are unhappy with his rule & fear he’ll remove the revolutionary reforms

Napoleon’s Downfall Of course Napoleon seizes this opportunity!!! Escapes from Elba, marches to France & is greeted by cheering crowds Men volunteer to fight for him & before long – he is emperor once more! Allied European powers pull their armies back together Napoleon’s troops battle British troops in Waterloo, Belgium When the Prussian troops arrive, Napoleon is done for This time period is called the “Hundred Days”

Napoleon’s Downfall Of course Napoleon seizes this opportunity!!! Escapes from Elba, marches to France & is greeted by cheering crowds Men volunteer to fight for him & before long – he is emperor once more! Allied European powers pull their armies back together Napoleon’s troops battle British troops in Waterloo, Belgium When the Prussian troops arrive, Napoleon is done for This time period is called the “Hundred Days”

Napoleon’s Downfall European powers ship him off to St. Helena – remote island in the South Atlantic He lived for 6 years, wrote his memoirs & died mostly likely from cancer The effects of Napoleon’s power grabs & the French Revolution were a spread of Liberalism, Nationalism & the concept of maintaining a “balance of power” in Europe

Effects of Revolution & Napoleon Liberalism After France’s defeat, Europe’s major powers held the “Congress of Vienna” to make changes that would stabilize Europe & maintain peace (early version of the UN) They restored the monarchs who were removed by Napoleon Going back to what was – conservatism (on the right) Sought to quell ideas of democracy It was too late – people got a taste of democracy & enlightenment ideas Liberty, equality, rulers sharing power with people Numerous revolutions occurred in European colonies This legacy of democracy began a movement of change across the globe – liberalism (on the left)

Effects of Revolution & Napoleon Balance of Power At the Congress, leaders also wanted to prevent any one country from becoming as powerful as France had become Also want to weaken France Concept of “balance of power” is born – all countries should have around the same amount of power They reinstated monarchs Combined some countries to make them stronger Their efforts lasted for 40 years – which is considered success

Effects of Revolution & Napoleon Nationalism Nationalism = loyalty to your country At first, many countries welcomed the French However over time, they resented Napoleon’s rule over them, which fueled their loyalty to their own country In addition, some of the changes the Congress implemented made nations mad that they were under the control of another country. This also fueled nationalistic pride, made people want their country to be independent – and started revolutions.