Napoleon's Military Successes until 1808 (2nd and 3rd Coalitions)

Which war did Napoleon inherit when he became First Consul?

The war of the Second Coalition

Who were the members of the Second Coalition?

Austria, the Ottoman Empire, Britain and (briefly) Russia

Who were France's allies?

Spain was an ally (not consensually) by 1796 and France had some support for Polish legions/military units -- v. few allies

What did Napoleon want the outcome of the War of the Second Coalition to be?

He wanted a quicker and honourable peace without making a lot of concessions-- he wanted peace to focus back on domestic demands

Which country did France fight against at the Battle of Marengo where France achieved decisive victory? (2nd Coalition) 14th june 1800

Austria vs France

What fraction of France's soldiers present die at the Battle of Marengo?

1/4

What leads to Austria withdrawing from the War of the Second Coalition?

Defeat at the Hohenlinden with the French army led by MOREAU (not NB) december 1800

When was the Battle of Marengo?

June 1800

Which treaty confirmed Austria's defeat in the War of the Second Coalition? When?

Treaty of Luneville in February 1801

What was the significance of the Treaty of Luneville for the wider scope of the War of the Second Coalition?

It encouraged Britain to accept peace

What was the Treaty of Amiens? When?

It was the treaty which ended the War of the Second Coalition-- Britain agrees to it because it lost Austria as an ally-- 25th March 1802

Which army general saved Napoleon from potentially disastrous defeat at the Battle of Marengo?

General Desaix

What were the terms agreed in the Peace of Amiens? (short truce)

France could keep Italy except Venetia, Naples and the Papal States + GB promises to keep open trading areas for the French while NB promises to not encroach on the British Empire

What was the Treaty of Amiens as a point in NB's career?

It was a high point in his career, later in 1802 he becomes First Consul for life and he was seen as the man who won the war

When did Britain declare war on France after the short Peace of Amiens?

1803

Why did Britain declare war on France after Amiens in 1803?

NB was expanding the empire and GB felt threatened by this + NB argues that Britain did not respect the terms of Amiens as they remained in Malta

During what period was the War of the Third Coalition?

1805-1808

What fraction of the Franco-Spanish fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Trafalgar? Why?

2/3 of the fleet is destroyed-- because of the world renowned strength of the British navy ocotber 1905

Who were the members of the Third Coalition?

Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia after 1806

What was triggered by the Battle of Trafalgar?

The War of the Third Coalition

How did the Battle of Ulm increase Napoleon's power?

It was propagandised in the media, it was a major military success for him-- this helps for him to assert his authority october 1805

When was the Battle of Ulm?

October 1805-- first major battle in the War of the Third Coalition

When was the Battle of Austerlitz? What happened in it?

NB and France defeated the combined force of Russia and Austria— december 1805

How did France fare in the Battle of Austerlitz vs Russia ?

France did better while Russia saw a very high casualty rate

Which treaty came out of the defeat of Austria and Russia at the Battle of Austerlitz? When?

The Peace of Pressburg- Dec 1805

Which country had peace dictated to them in the Peace of Pressburg? What were the severe terms decided?

AUSTRIA (not Russia): Austria lost all its land in Italy and Germany-- this effectively ends the Holy Roman Empire- humiliating for Austria

Why did Prussia choose to join the Third Coalition?

France formed the German Confederacy of the Rhine after the Peace of Pressburg-- infringing on French territory

What territorial gains did NB derive from the Peace of Pressburg?

He made himself King of Italy and it established the German Confederation of the Rhine

Did the Prussian army have a strong reputation?

Yes-- it was renowned for being one of the strongest armies in the world

In what battles did France defeat Prussia in the Third Coalition? When?

The twin battles of Jena-Auerstadt --Oct 1806

How many men did Prussia lose in the twin battles of Jena-Auerstadt?

45,000

How did NB prove himself a strong military tactician in the twin battles of Jena-Auerstadt?

He employed modern and innovative military techniques to defeat the Prussians

Which decree came out of the defeat of Prussia in the twin battles of Jean-Auerstadt?

The Berlin Decree in 1806-- establishes the Continental System

In what battle did France officially defeat Russia? When?

The Battle of Friedland in June 1807 -- this was a very clear and absolute defeat for Russia

When were the Treaties of Tilsit negotiated?

7th and 9th July 1807 -- between France and Russia

What were the terms decided by the FIRST Treaty of Tilsit (7th July 1807)?

France and Russia become allies, France receives control of the Duchy of Warsaw (Poland), Russia had to recognise France's newly gained territories (Kingdom of Italy, Belgium, Confederation of the Rhine)

What were the terms decided by the SECOND Treaty of Tilsit (9th July 1807)?

Prussia was forced to pay an indemnity of 311 francs, lose territory, accept French army occupation and limit the size of its army + Prussia forced to join the Continental System -- end of the Third Coalition

By 1806, what was the size of the French army?

1/2 a million men + the foreign auxiliaries

How did NB take advantage of the Peace of Amiens?

He took this time to reorganise and improve the army

How did NB ensure the war was self-financing?

He encouraged the army to live off the land and reinvested war spoils back into the war

How did NB keep up the morale of the army?

He ensured they were paid and fed adequately + offering titles and dotations

Evidence that NB benefitted from an already war hardened army: (marengo)

1/3 of the army at the Battle of Marengo had already fought in the previous revolutionary war/had experience from other governments

Which previous measures improved the nature of the Grand Armee before NB's rise to power?

The Fatherland in Danger Decree (NC), levee en masse + Carnot's reforms (Jacobin) and Jourdan's Law (Directory)

How did NB command the loyalty and respect of his troops?

Patriotic/propagandist bulletins, rewarding titles/land, ensuring they're paid and fed, he had lots of experience leading armies (Italian Campaign)

What new tactics did NB adopt to beat his enemies?

Mixed tactics allowing him to surprise his enemies, they did not expect his tactics

Which two military strategists theorised the tactics that NB put into practise during the second and third coalitions?

Carnot and Guibert

Which battles show NB's skill as a strategist and general?

Jena-Auerstadt and Friedland and The Battle of Ulm

Which new technologies did NB ignore for their military use?

The primitive/early submarine and incendiaries -- he used outdated weapons like the musket

Where did NB lack the expertise to be a good strategist?

He lacked knowledge of cartography and of weather (we see this with Russian campaign)

How did Russia repeatedly show a lack of commitment to the wars of the second and third coalition?

They withdrew from the second coalition in one year + Russia retreated after the Battle of Austerlitz + signed the Treaties of Tilsit (NB divides and conquers the disunited enemies)

How did William Pitt initially get the other nations to participate in the third coaliton?

Through promising to support their warfare financially -- it is a reluctant alliance between them

Why were the armies of NB's enemies weak?

Russia, Prussia and Austria used peasant based armies due to feudalism-- not willing and amateur

Example of NB using divide and rule against his already weakly allied enemies?

The Treaty of Tilsit-- this hurt Prussia a lot but was nice on Russia to divide these nations

How did NB delay Prussia joining the Third coalition?

He offered them the territory of Hanau (play on the disunited enemy)