Napoleonic Warfare 1796-1814

Napoleon revolutionized the practice of warfare Factors that accounted for his success Movement Defying traditional limits Offensive Propaganda Citizen armies

France against the coalitions… From 1792 – 1815, France fought a number of different coalitions of nations France emerged victorious against the first two coalitions, which failed to stop the French revolution and its expansion into neighboring nations

During the War of the Third Coalition, Napoleon defeated Austria, Prussia and Russia and signed the Treaty of Tilsit All major continental European nations were either annexed to France, allied with it, or a friendly neutral

Napoleon’s Foreign Policies Pursued two basic goals: Institutionalize the ideals of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution in conquered lands Gain territory and influence for the French nation

Reforms Announced the abolition of feudalism and an end to the Old Regime Promoted rational government based on the principles of religious toleration, efficient centralized government and equality under the Napoleonic Code

Creation of a new diplomatic system Paid little respect to diplomatic traditions Created republics in Italy, the Low Countries and Switzerland Often appointed his relatives to ruling positions

Replaced the HRE with a 35 state Confederation of the Rhine Recreated a smaller version of Poland, the Duchy of Warsaw

Attempted to create a dynastic legitimacy In 1804, he convinced the pope to attend his coronation as Emperor When his wife Josephine could not produce a male heir, he married a young Austrian princess, Marie Louise

Wanted to invade Britain Napoleon’s design to take Britain were thwarted when he lost the Battle of Trafalgar To subdue Great Britain, Napoleon came up with the Continental System

The Continental System Forced the nations on the continent to embargo British goods Wanted to cut Britain off from all trade on the continent Proved difficult to enforce and harmful to continental trading interests, and highly unpopular

The Peninsular War In 1808, Napoleon convinced the Spanish king to abdicate Replace the king with Napoleon’s brother Jerome The Spaniards (with British support) bogged the French down in guerrilla warfare, sapping resources and men

The Russian Campaign By 1810, Russia had withdrawn from the Continental System, compelling France attack The Russians retreating burning lands and killing livestock When the French reached Moscow, they found it in flames

As the French retreated, the Russians attacked, later joined by the Austrians and Prussians Napoleon was defeated and sent to Elba He would escape during what is referred to as the Hundred Days and try to regain power He was defeated at Waterloo and exiles to St. Helena

Napoleon’s policies within conquered nations proved popular, but his actions aroused nationalism This in combination with his decline in tactical skill, led to his final defeat