Chapter Fifteen | Napoleon's Military Campaigns Flashcards
What position was Napoleon appointed in March 1796?
Commander-in-chief for French Army of Italy
Between what years did the Italian Campaign take place?
1796-97
What was the impact of the Italian Campaign for the French army?
Victories boosted the unpaid, poorly equipped and demoralised soldiers & Republic’s reputation (E.g. Piedmont-Sardinia dropped out First Coalition following failure in April 1796)
HOWEVER - soldiers still poorly provided for (7,000 to 52,000 of Austrian army)
What was the impact of the Italian Campaign for Napoleon?
Victories boosted Napoleon’s reputation (E.g. a campaign against Austrians at Lodi in May 1796 persuaded the Pope and King of Naples to sign treaties w/ France & pay indemnities to avoid invasion) - Napoleon’s bravery publicised
What was the impact of the Italian Campaign for the Republic?
Victories boosted the Republic’s reputation (E.g. Napoleon created the Cisalpine Republic in 1796 & the Ligurian Republic in 1797 out of his conquests) - essentially “French puppet states”
When did Napoleon’s army advance to Austria?
In Apr 1797, Napoleon’s army occupied Leoben, forming peace terms w/ the Austrian commander-in-chief
What was the impact of the Austrian Campaign for the Republic?
Napoleon affirmed French control of Austrian Netherlands w/ the ‘Treaty of Campo Formio’ on 17 Oct 1797 (settled w/o Directory approval, but took credit as it delighted the French people!) & ended War of the First Coalition (only at war w/ Britain now)
HOWEVER - Napoleon did not make peace w/ HRE, so the War of the Second Coalition began in 1799
What was the impact of the Austrian Campaign for Napoleon?
Napoleon returned to Paris a hero, confident in his own foreign policy & convinced of his own leadership
Between what years did the Egyptian Campaign take place?
1798-1801
Why did Napoleon propose the expedition to Egypt?
To protect trade by undermining British commerce in India & establish French presence in the Middle East
MOREOVER - area already in disorder, so easy win to consolidate reputation
When did the Directory agree to Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign, and why?
Agreed in Mar 1798 (despite the cost) to remove Napoleon from France - fearful of enhanced reputation & to keep him busy and out of politics
What was the impact of the Egyptian Campaign for Napoleon?
Captured Cairo w/ The Battle of the Pyramids (July 1798), confirming his hero status
During his Siege of Jaffa, Syria (March 1799) Napoleon allowed some Egyptians to escape, hoping they would pass on message of French strength (overconfident!)
HOWEVER - Napoleon was greeted as a saviour when he returned to France, because capture of Cairo was the last news that the French heard of Egyptian Campaign
What was the result of the Egyptian Campaign?
Lacked massive victories (E.g. retreated from Jaffa & blundered badly by Siege of Acre, in May 1799)
British Blockade not as easily swept aside as land obstacles - more navally developed
How did Napoleon’s Egyptian Campaign come to an end?
Napoleon retreated out of Syria following the Siege of Acre that badly blundered his army & surrendered in Cairo in 1801
Why did Russia initiate the Second Coalition?
Napoleon expelled the ‘Knights of St John’ from Malta in 1798, angering the Russian Tsar
