1. Napoleonic Warfare

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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By 1810, Russia had withdrawn from the Continental System, compelling France attack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

14. 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

15. 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