15. Military campaigns and expansion abroad. Flashcards
Revise
What were the early significant moments in Napoleon’s career?
Joined Jacobin club.
Won a huge victory in Toulon and promoted Major.
Was locked in a gaol after the terror and lost his position.
Put down the royalist rising in Paris.
Made Commander-in-Chief for the Army of Italy.
How did Napoleon boost his soldiers confidence and improve the army in Italy?
Arranged for his soldiers to be paid in silver rather than paper.
Rapid victories in the Mondenotte campaign gave plenty of spoils.
How did napoleon dominate Italy?
Faced the Austrian’s at Lodi and occupied Milan, pillaging art treasures. King of Naples and the Pope signed treaties and began paying indemnities to France.
Captured 4 Austrian fortresses as descended downwards and then survived as he besieged Mantua. Won victories at Arcola and by 1797, Napoleon was occupying Venice.
How did Napoleon demonstrate leadership in Italy and end the First Coalition War?
Established two client states and eventually merged them into one, with a Directory, appointed ministers and a two-chamber legislature.
Advanced his army into Austria and then dictated his terms to the Austrian Commander-in-Chief. This was done without the Directory involvement.
The Treaty of Campo Formio allowed France control of the Austrian Netherlands, its Italian client states and recognition of the Rhine frontier.
What task was Napoleon given next and what alternative did he suggest?
Napoleon was given the task to invade England, however due to the strong Navy, napoleon proposed to invade Egypt instead. The directory agreed in order to remove Napoleon from France.
What happened in Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt?
While Napoleon beat the Egyptian’s in the Battle of the Pyramids and put down Nationalist movements, the Admiral Nelson destroyed the French fleet at anchor.
Napoleon had to abandon the siege of Acre due to the defenders resilience and British support.
What happened while Napoleon was in Egypt and how did it benefit Napoleon?
His expulsion of the Knights from Malta angered the tsar of Russia. Russia then joined a 2nd Coalition and used Napoleon’s absence to launch a re-invasion on France. Napoleon returned to France before the news of his failure reached France and returned a hero.
What were the key factors of Napoleon’s military leadership?
Speed and manoeurvrability, using self-contained armies of 10-30,000 troops of infrantry, artillery and cavalry. Used the ‘forced march’ to catch his enemies off guard and lived off the land instead of using supply wagons.
Used soldiers promoted through talent rather than aristocracy.
