1. Napoleon’s Foreign Policy
Triumphs and Defeats

2. Before Napoleon became Emperor
first major command in the army; drives the British out of the seaport of Toulon.
Italian Campaign where Napoleon was General of the French army in Italy and was given orders to drive the Austrians out.
Treaty of Campio Formio is established with the Austrians following the Italian Campaign.

3. Before Emperor Napoleon Cont’d…
Egyptian Campaign where Napoleon is given an army to defeat the British by attacking their economic lifeline (Egypt). Through this Campaign, the intent is for Napoleon and France to disrupt Britain’s trade with India.
Battle of Nile a.k.a. Battle of Abukir Bay. Napoleon is defeated by British navy led by Admiral Nelson.
While in Egypt, Napoleon’s scientists found the Rosetta Stone. This was a stone which enabled people to translate hieroglyphics.

4. Coalitions
Definition: alliances between countries against another country.
At first, French armies fought to keep a coalition of European monarchs from crushing the French Revolution.
Under Napoleon, France fought several wars of conquest.

5. Beginning of Foreign Policy
Napoleon’s Foreign Policy was designed to isolate and defeat Great Britain as well as to take control of all of Europe through military conquest.
The soldiers of Napoleon’s armies were fueled by Nationalism and directed by Napoleon’s military genius. Together they exported the revolutionary feelings of France to the rest of Europe.

6. Napoleon’s Empire
Napoleon was able to create an empire that spanned the continent of Europe.
Napoleon was developing his empire through wars of conquest because he believed that, in order for France to retain a position of power and relate to other European states, it had to be an empire.

7. Early 1800’s
In the early 1800’s, France under Napoleon fought all of the major European powers including Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia.

8. Battle of Ulm Took place in October 1805.
Fought against the Austrians.
Austrians expected Napoleon’s troops to attack head-on, instead they attacked them from the rear, cutting them off from any retreat.
Was Napoleon’s first major victory.

9. Battle of Austerlitz Took place in December of 1805.
Fought against the Russians (led by Alexander I) and the Austrians (led by Francis II).
Led to another Napoleon victory.
Both Russia and Austria then made peace with France on Napoleon’s terms.

10. Confederation of the Rhine
Reorganization of the German states.
Signaled the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
Through this, Napoleon unified all German principalities except Prussia and Austria, under French rule.
These states that he controlled gave him men and materials for his wars.

11. Battle of Berlin Took place in 1806. Fought against the Prussians.
The Prussians were scared of France’s power because of their previous two victories in Ulm and Austerlitz as well as being able to unify the German states under French control. They thus declared war on France.
Napoleon defeats poorly led Prussian army and occupies Berlin.

12. Battle of Friedland Took place in June of 1807.
Fought against the Russians.
Resulted in complete victory for Napoleon.

13. Europe Under French Rule
Between 1807 and 1812, Napoleon was at the height of his power.
His empire stretched from France to the borders of Russia.
He governed France and the Netherlands directly as Emperor.

14. Europe Under French Rule Cont’d…
Spain, Italy and the Confederation of the Rhine were Satellite States - their rulers followed Napoleon’s policies.
In Spain, Napoleon made his brother Joseph, King.
Napoleon also tied Austria and Prussia to France as Allies.

15. During Napoleon’s Rule
In his rule of this empire, Napoleon helped spread ideas of the French Revolution across Europe.
Throughout the empire, he introduced religious toleration, abolished serfdom (similar to slavery) and reduced the power of the Catholic Church.
Napoleon made the Napoleonic Code the basis of law in many European countries.
Some people welcomed Napoleon as a liberator, _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

16. The Continental System
Napoleon was very successful in battles on the European continent, however he was unable to defeat Britain.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This defeat leads Napoleon to blockade British ports to cut off vital trade.

17. Continental System Cont’d
Brings forth the Berlin Decree - _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This blockade is what was referred to as the Continental System or Continental Blockade.
Purpose was to increase the export trade of France and to halt the export trade of Britain.

18. Orders in Council Britain’s response to the the Continental System.
Forbids neutrals to trade with France or any of its allies, and the attempting traders must stop at British ports first.
If neutrals disobeyed, Britain would seize ships.

19. Milan Decree Napoleon’s response to Britain’s Orders in Council.
Through this, Napoleon “tightens the blockade”
Indicated that _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

20. Failure of the Continental System
Through the blockade, Britain lost trade, however France suffered more.
Britain’s Navy was very strong and was able to enforce their Orders in Council effectively.
The British Navy was able to cut off overseas ports to France and the rest of the continent. This weakened the French economy.
Increased opposition to Napoleon among neutral nations who blamed him for their loss of trade resulted as well.

21. Failure Cont’d…
Increased opposition to Napoleon among neutral nations who blamed him for their loss of trade resulted as well.
Although Russians agreed to blockade in 1807, their economy could not handle it.
Czar Alexander thus resumed trade with Britain in 1812.

22. Nationalism Grew Across Europe
Opposition to Napoleon grew among the conquered and allied people of Europe. They were developing a sense of Nationalism (pride of devotion to one’s country).
They ______________________________________________________________________________.
They wanted to restore their own govt’s, customs and traditions.
As a result of the above, revolts broke out all over Europe.

23. Revolt in Spain- Peninsular War
Uprising against Napoleon’s brother that ruled in Spain.
Spanish people were loyal to Catholic Church and former king. They hated the French.
Groups of patriotic Spaniards ambushed French troops in hit-and-run attacks (guerilla warfare).
Britain sends troops to help Spanish and Portuguese (also fought French rule).
Spanish and Portuguese nationalists ousted French from their nations.

24. Events in Prussia
Nationalist leaders reorganize the gov’t to make it more efficient. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Prussia also rebuilt its army. It was now capable of standing up to France. It just needed an opportunity to strike. This came when Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812.

25. Downfall of Napoleon
Czar Alexander resumes trade w/ Britain in 1812 (goes against the Continental System).
Napoleon is MAD at this and assembles a GRAND ARMY of over men.
May Napoleon marches with Grand Army on Russia.

26. Russian Campaign
Is a disaster. Napoleon wants a quick victory, but Russians won’t stand and fight.
As French army marched, Russian soldiers (Cossacks) picked them off from the sides of the road.
As Russians retreated, they slashed and burned crops and homes (SCORCHED EARTH POLICY).
French enter Moscow on Sept. 14, 1812 but city is empty and burning. Fire engines all broken down.

27. Russian Campaign Cont’d…
Napoleon waits five more weeks as Autumn sets in, but Alexander won’t discuss peace and there is no one to fight.
Napoleon retreats. Only troops are left.
As winter comes, thousands of soldiers starve or freeze to death.
December remaining soldiers stumble out of Russia.

28. Alliance against Napoleon
Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia sense France’s weakness & pounce on weakened French army (Battle of Nations or Battle of Leipzig)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
Allies capture Paris.
Napoleon abdicates and goes to exile on the island of Elba.

29. The Hundred Days
Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) is made monarch in France following Napoleon’s exile. He DID NOT revive the Old Regime.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________.
He also keeps the Napoleonic code.
Many emigres return to France with the intention of revenge against supporters of the French Revolution.

30. Hundred Days Cont’d…
March Napoleon takes advantage of the disturbances in Paris brought forth by Louis XVIII new ways and returns. Upon his return in Paris, he once again proclaims himself Emperor.
He worked for _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

31. Hundred Days Cont’d…
June joint British and Prussian army led by the Duke of Wellington fought Napoleon and his troops at _____________________.
Following the loss, Napoleon was exiled to the island of St. Helena.
Napoleon dies from Arsenic poisoning.

32. Impact of Napoleon on Europe
Napoleon changed European political boundaries through his wars.
Napoleon contributed to the growing spirit of Nationalism in Europe.
Revolutionary ideals of political and social justice spread throughout Europe.
By 1815, France was no longer the strongest and richest nation in Europe. Great Britain moved ahead in commerce and industry.