Thompson

Introduction to the Napoleonic Empire

• The Napoleonic Empire was established after a series of victories that shattered the Third Coalition (1805).

• Key leaders in the coalition included Great Britain, Austria, and Russia.

Formation of the Empire

Key Battles and Treaties

• Battle of Ulm (1805): Austrian defeat leading to the Treaty of Pressburg.

• Battle of Austerlitz (1805): Major victory that solidified Napoleon's control.

• In 1806, Prussia joined the coalition and suffered defeats at the Battles of Jena and Auerstädt, ceding territory to Napoleon.

• The end of the conflict with Russia came with the Battle of Friedland (1807) and the resulting Treaty of Tilsit, marking consolidation of power.

Key Alliances and Policies

• Napoleon's decree in November 1806 established the Continental System, which aimed to economically isolate Britain by banning British goods from Europe.

• The coalition efforts against Britain reversed following the treaty's outcomes, establishing an expansive French Empire.

Structure of the Empire

Territorial Control

• Annexations included Belgium, Nice, Savoy, Genoa, Dalmatia, and Croatia.

• The Confederation of the Rhine was established in 1806, consolidating various German states under Napoleon's influence.

• Major satellite states included:

  • Kingdom of Italy (1805)

  • Kingdom of Westphalia (under Jérôme Bonaparte)

  • Grand Duchy of Warsaw

  • Kingdom of Naples and Sicily (Joseph Bonaparte)

Nature of Rule

• France relied on satellite states and allies like Bavaria, Württemberg, Denmark, and Sweden.

• Britain became diplomatically isolated as internal strife arose within its leadership, particularly after Pitt's death in 1806.

• Territorial expansion continued until 1811, covering most of the European mainland barring the Balkans.

Challenges and Downfall

Economic Pressures and Resistance

• Challenges began arising with rebellion in Spain and Portugal, and struggles against Austria resurfaced, weakening the Continental System.

• Napoleon’s empire faced severe challenges from established regimes in Russia and Austria, leading to diplomatic reliance rather than outright military takeover.

External Conflicts and Coalition Formation

• Internal dissent and loss of loyalty from notable leaders, like Marshal Bernadotte, illustrated the fragility of Napoleon's rule.

• By 1812, growing dissatisfaction within Europe, compounded by warfare and economic hardships, provided fertile ground for alliances aiming to counter Napoleon's power.

The Russian Campaign (1812)

Prelude to Conflict

• The invasion was motivated by Tsar Alexander I’s non-compliance with the Continental System and rivalry for influence in Eastern Europe.

• The Grand Army, vastly outnumbered, faced extreme conditions leading to catastrophic losses.

Campaign Details

• Initial Russian strategies involved retreating rather than engaging in battle extensively, culminating in the Battle of Borodino, inflicting heavy casualties on Napoleon.

• The campaign ended in disaster with the scorched earth strategy employed by the Russians leading to massive losses during withdrawal.

Conclusion of the Empire

Turning Points

• Post-Russia, a Fourth Coalition emerged, including Britain, Prussia, and Austria, uniting against Napoleon's forces.

• Notable defeats began with the Battle of Leipzig (1813), leading to a significant withdrawal and vulnerability of French control in Europe.

Final Defeat and Exile

• Napoleon's last attempts at power came during the Hundred Days, following a brief return from exile on Elba, culminating in defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

• This led to his final exile to St. Helena, and restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII emphasized the end of the Napoleonic era.

Legacy of the Napoleonic Empire

• The Empire’s legacy includes the spread of revolutionary ideals, modernization of governmental systems, and a shift in European political structures that foreshadowed future conflicts and changes in governance.

• Despite its short-lived success, the impact on Europe was profound, establishing a complex interplay of nationalism and modernization in the subsequent decades.