Napoleon's rule on Europe Flashcards
Summarise Napoleon’s military successes between 1799 and 1802
- September 1799, Russia defeated at Zurich, they withdraw from the war of the second coalition.
- 1800 Napoleon launches a surprise attack on the Austrians in the Alps- 50,000 men, they were outnumbered, looked set to lose until reserves arrived.
- 1899- Austria defeated again at Hohenlinden- forced to sign the treaty of Lunéville.
- By 1802 there was exhaustion on both sides, leading to the peace of Amiens.
What battle in 1802 led to a peace treaty?
What were the terms of this treaty?
Why didn’t the peace last?
- Hohenlinden
- France agrees to leave Naples, united provinces and Papal states.
- All territories seized by Britain in the last nine years to be returned,
- Minorca to be returned to Spain
- Cape colony in South Africa to be returned to the Dutch
- Malta would be returned to the Knights of St. john.
-Neither side fully honoured its terms. Napoleon remained in the United Provinces and Britain did not return Malta.
Summarise Napoleon,s military successes in 1805
- October 1805, Napoleon defeats the Austrians at Ulm, he takes multiple prisoners and enters Vienna unopposed.
- December 1805, Crishing defeat of the Austen-Russian forces at Austeritz 90,000 men to the 68,000 french.
- This ended Austria’s part in the coalition and forced Russia to retreat.
Summarise Napoleon’s 1806 victories
- July- Establishment of the confederation of the Rhine.
- September- Prussia joins Britain and Russia, but crushing defeats cause Prussia and Russia to withdraw.
- October- Prssians crushed by french at Jena. Napoleon enters Berlin.
Summarise Napoleon’s military successes in 1807
- Battles at Eylau and Friedland brought the total withdrawal of the Russian troops.
- By 1808 Napoleon had broken the Third Coalition, occupying the historic capitals of Berlin, Vienna and Warsaw.
What was the treaty of Tilsit?
What were its terms?
- Peace treaty with Tsar Alexander of Russia in June-July 1807.
- Russia gave up their share of Poland, enabling the french to create the Duchy of Warsaw.
- Russia also gave yo land that made up Westphalia.
- The french army would remain in occupation until an indemnity if 120 million Francs was paid.
- Russia joins Continental system.
Why did Napoleon annex the Papal states in 1808?
It strengthened his continental system and showed that the balance of power in Europe had swung firmly from the papacy in favour of the Emperor.
How can Napoleon’s armies be the factor behind his military success?
- Undergone a transformation since the revolutionary wars.
- They had become very professional, promotion by merit increased the pool of skilled generals.
- There was a greater emphasis on military training and study.
- Advances in weaponry
- Was able to call on satellite states, more men, bigger armies.
How can Napoleon’s military leadership be argued to be the reason for his success?
- Censorship and propaganda paints all of his efforts in a positive light.
- His organisation of the army, Smaller units, makes them lives off the land, he joins in.
- Experience before taking power.
- He was Head of state, head of government, and commander in chief, giving him the knowledge, resources and capabilities.
- daring military talent.
- Provisional role in battles, was able to improvise. Personal charisma, was able to address men directly and rally them.
How can it be argued that it was the weakness of France’s enemies that allowed for military victory?
- Generals appointed in wealth- venality.
- Conscripted soldiers
- Commanders fought ‘by the book’
- Never united in their aims, their divisions were easy for Napoleon to exploit.
Explain the difference between ‘Pays reunis’ and the ‘pays alliés.’
- Réunis were territories ruled directly by france. All french administrative bodies and legislation were automatically applied.
- Alliés were Satellite states, rulers had some choice in the application of practises.
How big was the french empire by 1810?
130 departments and a population of 44 million.
Why did Napoleon want to create an empire?
- He wanted to create a common fatherland
- All europeans to coexist under one code of law and judicial system.
- He saw him empire as a means to get rid of absolute monarchy.
Who ruled Holland? From when?
1810- Louis Bonaparte
Who ruled Westphalia? from when?
Jerome Bonaparte- 1797-1813
Who ruled Italy?
Napoleon’s stepson from 1806-8
How much did Tac revenue in Italy raise by between 1805 and 1811?
What did Napoleon do to the taxation system in Naples?
What did he do to the tax system in Holland.
- 50%
- 100 taxes were replaced by a single tax on land and industry.
- Land tax was introduced at a lower rate than agriculture to benefit landlords and merchants.
Which area contributed most to dotations?
What effect did this have?
Poland and Westphalia
Warsaw lost over a fifth of its income from land.
Which parts of the Empire benefitted economically from french rule?
- States under direct control enjoyed preferential treatment.
- Belgian textile industry boomed.
- Mining in the Rhineland.
- Lyons silk industry.
Which parts of the empire did not benefit economically?
- Agricultural development in Italy. In the north, capitalist farming was developing, there was increasing wealth, whereas the south remained poor.
- Lack of overseas trade meant that all goods had to be sold within mainland Europe. A lack of demand led to a slump in prices.
