Chapter 15: Military Campaigns and Expansion Abroad Flashcards
Briefly describe Napoleon’s childhood.
- Born in Corsica.
- Born into ancient Tuscan nobility.
- Raised to speak Italian but learn’t French at school.
- Went to military schools.
- Made fun of for having Corsican accent - changed it.
What political faction did Napoleon join in 1791?
Jacobins.
When did Napoleon join the national guard in Corsica?
1791.
When did Napoleon first appear in the French Revolution?
When fighting against royalists in Toulon - December 1793.
When was Napoleon made military advisor to the Directory, and what did he do to gain this position?
Late 1795.
Because of his success against the Vendemiaire uprising.
Piedmont-Sardinia withdrew from the War of the First Coalition in April 1796. How did this benefit France?
- Gave them more territory.
- Gave them more supplies.
- Increased morale.
When did Napoleon arrive in Italy for his Italian Campaign?
March 1796.
Why was Napoleon made commander in chief for the Italian campaign?
He was young and inexperienced so only had to hold back small group of Austrians. Hoche had bigger job holding back Austrians in Germany.
Who was Napoleons main competition in the French army?
Hoche.
He was older and more experienced than Napoleon, but died Sept 1797.
When did Hoche die? (Napoleons competition)
September 1797.
What positive thing did Napoleon do for his troops in the Italian campaign?
Ensure they were paid (previously unpaid).
What were the outcomes of Napoleon’s success against Austrians at Lodi in May 1796?
- Increased Napoleon’s popularity.
- Art treasures pillaged
- Stories of N’s strength led to the Pope and King of Naples signing treaties and indemnities (protection) to stop France from taking over.
What was Napoleon and his army known for taking in the Italian campaign?
Art.
Many were displayed in the Louvre or in officers personal collections.
When did Napoleon take Venice? (Italian campaign)
May 1797.
What did Napoleon do with his Italian conquests?
Turned them into French republics.
Eg/ Cisalpine and Ligurian republics in June 1797.
Had their own directory’s, ministers and chambers elected by N.
What was Napoleon’s position like by 1797?
- Very popular and successful.
- Showing signs of being a good political leader instead of just a military one.
- Above worried Directory.
- Supportive propoganda.
- His main competition Hoche died in Sept 1797.
When was the Treaty of Campo Formio?
17th October 1797.
Who was the Treaty of Campo Formio between?
France (Napoleon) and Austria.
What did the Treaty of Campo Formio state?
- French has control over Austrian Netherlands (Belgium).
- Austria accepts French republics.
- France accepts sharing Venetia republic.
- Austria recognises French Rhine Frontier.
What were the outcomes of the Treaty of Campo Formio?
- Ended War of the First Coalition.
- Increased N’s popularity.
- BUT only temporary - Second Coalition started 1799.
What treaty ended the War of the First Coalition?
The Treaty of Campo Formio 17th October 1797.
When did the War of the First Coalition end?
17th October 1797.
Why did Napoleon turn down commanding an army against England in October 1797?
- England were too good - especially in navy.
- They’d already defeated French allies eg/ Spain.
Who were Frances only opponents by the end of the War of the First Coalition?
Britain.
Why did Napoleon propose the Egyptian campaign?
- To protect French trade.
- To establish French trade in the Middle East.
- To attack British commerce.
- To distract British so French could invade them.
- Easy win.
- To encourage enlightenment in Egypt.
When did Napoleon take Malta? (Egyptian Campaign)
June 1798.
When was the Battle of the Pyramids? (Egyptian Campaign)
July 1798.
N defeated Egyptians in Cairo.
Where did the Battle of the Pyramids take place? (Egyptian Campaign)
Cairo.
When was the Battle of Aboukir Bay? (Egyptian Campaign)
August 1798.
What was the result of the Battle of Aboukir Bay? (Egyptian Campaign)
Nelson destroyed Napoleon’s army. They were cut off from France.
What happened during Napoleons siege of Acre? (Egyptian Campaign)
Napoleon had to retreat to Cairo because defenders too resilient and British had stepped in to help them.
What were the key events of the Egyptian campaign?
- N took Malta.
- Battle of the Pyramids.
- Battle at Aboukir Bay.
- N took Jaffa.
- Siege of Acre abandoned - N retreated to Cairo.
When did the War of the Second Coalition begin?
March 1799.
When did Napoleon return to France to help with the Second Coalition?
Left Egypt in August, got to France October 1799.
What was the cause of the War of the Second Coalition?
- N expelled St John Knights when he took Malta (Egyptian Campaign).
- Angered Russia Tsar so Russia, Austria, Britain etc. formed Second Coalition.
What 6 countries were against France in the War of the Second Coalition?
Austria. Britain. Russia. Ottoman Empire. Portugal. Some Italian and German states.
What had happened by the time Napoleon had got back to France to help with the Second Coalition?
Russia had withdrew.
Directory were in very weak state.
What were some positive aspects to Napoleon as a military leader up until 1800? (think Italian Campaign).
- Made small army corps of each type of soldiers (calvary, artillery and infantry) instead of a large division for each.
- ‘Forced march’ - Quickly travel large distances to surprise enemy.
- ‘Force of Personality’ - made speeches, relatable, ensured soldiers fed and paid, hard working (18-20hr days).
- His soldiers were chosen based off talent not nobility - soldiers always trying to improve to move up ranks.
What were some aspects of Napoeon’s character up until 1800?
- Young.
- Hard-working.
- Self-promoting.
- Aimed to please.
- Character changed as he gained power.
What were some of the key events of Napoleon’s Italian campaign?
- Piedmont-Sardinia withdrew.
- Napoleon fought Austrians at Lodi.
- N army known for taking art.
- N created French republics in his conquests.
- Treaty of Campo Formio - ended First Coalition.
