#4- Decline and fall of Napoleon, 1807-15 Flashcards
what did the berlin and milan decrees do
they began the idea of the contintenal system
what is the continental system
britain was forbidden from trading with France and its satellite states
how did the continetal system effect France
decline in seaport industry eg rope making and ship building
french industries which needed export suffered
trade routes across the Rhine opened up
how did the continental system effect Britain
lack of French seapower reduced the effectiveness
napoleon increased effeorts to seize illegal goods while allowing grain and wine to be traded
argued britain had trade with America but also argued that it fell by 50%-1811
counter blockade caused anglo american war 1812
how did the continental system effect Europe
created tension with satelite states in his empire
portugal and the peninsular war
1808 Russia left leading to 1812 invasion
how did the continental system effect Napoloen’s downfall
failed on British defeat
peninsular war drained French resources
Russian campaign failure
eceonomic impact caused unpopularity at home.
how long was Britain at war with France
1803-1814
how did Britain help Europe
through subsidies
how much subsidies did Britain give out
£600 million total
450,000 austrian and Russian troops paid for by Britain in 1813
£10 million a year by 1814
How did Britain diplomatically oppose France
Pitt (UK PM) organised 3rd coalition
UK persuaded austria to join in 1809
1812- Britain keeps coalition together in final struggle
How did British naval power work against them
caused war with USA in 1812
attack on copenhagen almost lead to Denmark joining France
How did the British Navy benefit them
weakened France through naval blockade
important victories battle of t 1805
weakened fleet preventing British invasion
How did British forces on land weaken napoleon
peninsular war
iberian peninsular under sir arthur wellesley, 30,000 french forces taken up.
when was the battle of waterloo
18th of June
who lead the battle of waterloo
Duke of Wellington
how important was Britain to Napoleon’s downfall
60,000 British troops did not match France
If France wasn’t continuing wars then British diplomacy would not have worked
continental system caused war with Russia in 1812
British naval power prevented invasion
what caused war with spain
1808- napoleon replaces King with brother Joseph
what tactics did the Spanish use
guerilla warfare
when was spain liberated after numerous victories
1813
what caused the Russian campaign
Napoleon married austrain princess- russia hated austria
Rivalry to try and seize the balkans
disagreement over grand duchy of Poland
1810= continental system
how many were in Napoleons army against Russia
600,000- fewer then half were even French
in which inital battle was Napoleon successful
1812- Borodino - tsar still refuses to negotiate
why did Russia win the conflict
Russia never fought formal battle scorched earth strategy Russian skirmishes constantly attacked Russian army was larger Napoleon lacked strategy - couldn't control every detail Poor supply lines stayed in Moscow before retreat
what was the size of the army after leaving Russia
120,000 men
how was the 6th coalition different
common aim of liberating Germany included all 4 major european powers members reformed armies and their tactics France was in decline had unified military startegy
what was the treaty of chaumont 1814
the allied powers agreed not to stop until Napoleon’s defeat
when did Napoleon abdicate
march 1814
what was the rules of the peace of Paris 1814
give up all territorial gains since 1872
Napoleon exiled to elba with a pension
what did the French empire consist of ( with examples)
France and its natural frontiers- eg the alps
annexed territories- swiss confederation- 1803
satellite states- Kingdoms of italy- 1805
why was the empire of value to Napoleon
annexed territories- ruled exactly the same as France eg rights and obligations
satllite states provided half of army between 1804-1814
satellite states had napoleon’s family on monarchy
satellite states had to provide members for the grand army
why did the empire cause issues for Napoleon
conscription was hated and resisted. armed rebellion in Spain and Austria
not all his family obeyed- his brother refused continental system in holland
how did napoleon provide law and order in France
the gendarmerie- soldiers stationed across rural areas showed government presence
which countries had a large tax burden
Holland and Italy
did napoleon abolish feudalism in his countries
no- Germany, Italy and Poland
why did Napoleon believe he could return to power
louis XVIII was weak
he promised to agree to paris treaty and be more liberal - ‘le benjamine’
when was the battle of waterloo
18th June 1815
when did napoleon abdicate
20th June 1815
which island did Napoleon get exiled to the second time
St Helena
how did France get treated by Vienna settlement
surrounded by strong opposition so France could not invade again
spain got its bourbon ruler back
Russia took most of Poland
what were the reasons for Napoleon fail
War-weariness in France Military reasons Changes among his enemies Nationalism Personal Failings
why did the French turn against the idea of war
900,000 die
financial loss
routes in maritime ports suffered due to British blockade
why did napoleon’s military start to fail
mainly of men from empire
strategies were no longer a suprise
lack of cohesion and less inspired by nationalism
how did Napoleon’s enemies change
Britain could support long war
British sea supremacy
1814- enemies become more united
how did nationalism lead to downfall
Spain and Russia become more nationalist after invasion
spanish ulcer
scorched earth in Russia
germany started to resent France
what were napoleon’s personal failings
ignore the warnings of certain invasions
talleyrand and Fouche defected to his enemies
devotion to family lead to weakness in the empire
lost bond with troops towards 1814
Napoleons health detoriated- he was overweight at battle of waterloo
