1813/14 campaigns

Question 1

napoleon losing allies ?

Answer 1

→ Austria defects in 1813 - allies outnumber French forces
→ Defeat at Battle of Leipzig 1813 - by 1814 France lost Germany + Spain

Question 2

what did the allies offer ?

Answer 2

Allies offer a peace offer based on France returning to ‘natural frontiers’ - allows Napoleon to keep Belgium + Rhineland - he rejects (British diplomacy - foreign secretary Casterleagh encouraged unity of the sixth coalition)(Treaty of Chaumont,1814 - reaffirmed unity)

Question 3

state of army?

Answer 3

By 1814, widespread disloyalty in army + gov’t,caused by war-weariness in France → leads to the first abdication

Question 4

what did the 1813/14 campaigns prove?

Answer 4

proved to allies that removing Napoleon was necessary*

Question 5

sixth coalition

Answer 5

→ sixth coalition was stronger + the military leadership was much stronger (Blucher)
→ Allies had the numerical advantage and understanding of Napoleonic tactics [Bernadotte]

Question 6

napoleon army (counter)

Answer 6

→ victories against Russia + Prussia → conscription from across the Empire
→ Even in 1814, Napoleon was able to force invading Allies back in France (still a strong military force)
→ War w/ Russia, 1812 → encouraged renewed aggression (does it all lead back to Russia)
→ France lost their numerical advantage from war w/ Russia - had to get inexperienced youth conscripts (mostly from Italy)