Chapter 23: Blockade & Peninsular War

Question 1

Why did N create the continental blockade?

Answer 1

Abandoned plans to invade Britain
But still set against them & B a threat
Britain a trading nation so had resources to finance military coalition against empire

Question 2

When was the continental blockade?
What was it?

Answer 2

From 1805
Nov 1806 Berlin decree forbade all empire states from buying Brit goods
Put Brit & overseas possessions in state of blockade

Question 3

What was the Brit response to the Berlin decree 1806?

Answer 3

Orders in Council 1807
Did same but also:
Royal Navy blockade french ports
Supplies heading to France must stop at Brit port, checking for contraband

Question 4

What was N response to the Orders of Council 1807?

Answer 4

1807 Milan decree
French warships to capture neutral ships coming from Neil ports
Any Brit ships searched liable to french capture

Question 5

What were the consequences of the continental blockade for N?

Answer 5

One of N most unpopular policies
Tea, coffee, tobacco almost unattainable across Europe => uprisings
Added to N military engagements
Portugal refused
Tzar of Russia opted out

Question 6

What was the consequence of Portugal refusing to partake in the continental blockade?

Answer 6

Forced N to enter Spain 1808 (Peninsular War) = Damaging

Question 7

What was the consequence of Russia opting out of the continental blockade?

Answer 7

Damaged Russian trade
N invasion disaster 1812

Question 8

What was the Peninsular War a fight for?

Answer 8

Franco-Spanish forces attempt to take Portugal
For long coastline allowing extension of continental blockade after Portugal refused

Question 9

How was the Peninsular war going good for the Franco-Spanish at the start?

Answer 9

Took Lisbon in 1807
Portuguese royal family fled in December

Question 10

Why did N force the abdication of the Spanish king?
When?
What was the kings name?
What did this cause?

Answer 10

N view of king worsened
March 1807
Charles IV
Franco-Spanish relations sour

Question 11

When was the Battle of Bailén?
Who lost & what were the consequences of this?

Answer 11

July 1808
N lost
22,000 french surrender
French retreat & abandon much of Spain

Question 12

Who fought against N at the battle of Bailén?

Answer 12

Spanish rebel resistance groups

Question 13

Who is made king of Spain after Charles IV abdication?
When?
What is this a month after?

Answer 13

Joseph Bonaparte (brother)
Aug 1808
Battle of Bailén (N defeated)

Question 14

Why does Spain re-ally with France in 1804?
When do the re-ally again?

Answer 14

For the Peninsular war
Aug 1808 after Charles abdication & battle of Bailén

Question 15

When was the Battle of Vimioro?
Who defeated who?
What did this win the victors?

Answer 15

Aug 1808 after Joseph made king of Spain & franc re-allies with Spain

Brits with Duke of Wellington defeat Fr
Some Portuguese pots

Question 16

When did N take command in Spain?
When did he enter Madrid?
With how many troops?

Answer 16

Nov 1808
5 Dec
80,000

Question 17

Why was the Peninsular war long & drawn-out?

Answer 17

No N immediate victory as:
Not able to live if barren land
Supplies lines hard to maintain as peninsular is vast

Question 18

What was N fighting tactic?
What was Spanish guerilla warfare?

Answer 18

Overwhelming numbers

Ruthless peasant bands
Supplies attacks & raids

Question 19

By 1809, what parts of Spain are in French control?
Why is N forced to leave?

Answer 19

North Spain
January, Austrian campaign

Question 20

During the peninsular war, why to the brits attempt to return home?
How do the french try to prevent their escape?
Who is killed?

Answer 20

Harsh 1809 winter
Force battle
Moore, commander of Brit forces

Question 21

How do the British escape Spain?
What to they set up in Britain?

Answer 21

Alsace’s by navy
Series of forts made 1809-10 along eastern coast

Question 22

How many french troops were given to the peninsular war?
What was it nicknamed?

Answer 22

1/4 million
Spanish Ulcer

Question 23

How do the french loose the peninsular war?

Answer 23

1813
Defeat at Vitoria
Forced out of Madrid
Joseph (Spanish king) fled

Question 24

After french defeat at Vitoria 1813, what do the brits do?

Answer 24

Invade France
Defeat french at Toulouse, 1814