Napoleonic Foreign Policy Flashcards
When was the War of the First Coalition
1792-1797
How did Napoleon win the respect of his officers in the first coalition war
he split the Austrians and Piedmontese and defeated Piedmont decisively in battle with speed
What did T.C.W Blanning say about Bonaparte’s role in the Battle of Lodi
‘this battle came to symbolise the triumph of Napoleon’s genius in the face of apparently impossible odds’
Why is the battle of Lodi relevant
Napoleon is able to make it seem like a major victory- given massive praise by the directory and is represented as a hero in France- early example of Napoleon’s genius for propaganda
What was the nature of the battle of Arcola
close run battle
Napoleon kicks the Austrians back out- only the garrison town of Mantua is left under their control
What was the nature of the Battle of Rivoli
- 14 Jan 1797 Austrians made a final attempt to relieve Mantua -lasted 3 days
- Napoleon eventually triumphs
When was the treaty of Campo Formio signed
17 October 1797
What was the significance of Campo Formio
confirms Napoleon as master of most of Italy, marked a decimation of the pope’s power in Italy and expanded the border of France significantly into the lands of the Holy Roman Empire along the Rhine
Why does Napoleon want to go into Egypt
- Napoleon put in charge of England invasion but he knew that any invasion would almost certainly fail so he’s keen to lose this responsibility
- going to Egypt will also keep him out of France during the last days of the directory- doesn’t want to be associated with them
Why did the directory want Napoleon to go to Egypt
Saw Napoleon as a threat to its power so wanted him out of the country
Egypt control route to India and is in a strategically important position: whoever controls Egypt can control trade in the Eastern Mediterranean
What did the French fleet to Egypt compromise of
280 vessels
55 warships
When was the Battle of Aboukir Bay
1-3 August 1798
What was the nature of the Battle of Aboukir Bay
British captured/destroyed 11 or the 13 French ships (several were later converted into British vessels)
Nelson wins the victory using skilful tactics and by attacking late in the evening
When was the Battle of the Pyramids
21 July 1798
What was the outcome of the Battle of the Pyramids
Bonaparte wins a decisive victory
Why was Egypt a personal triumph for Bonaparte
- although Egypt was a disaster for France, Bonaparte turned events there to his advantage
- exploitting extremely poor communications B talks up his victories at the Pyramids, Aboukir and Tabor and sells himself as a national hero
When was the War of the Second Coalition
1798-1802
When was the Battle of Marengo
14 June 1800
How did Napoleon boost morale during the Italian Campaign
- on his arrival only about 38,000 of the 63,000 men in the army of Italy were fit and ready for active service and morale was poor
- N improved this through speeches, bulletins, respect for hard work (18-20 hours a day), paid troops in cash (not assignats)
Example of Napoleon’s tactical skill in the Italian Campaign
Victories in the Montenotte campaign (flexibility and speed of marching enabled him to divide the Austrian and Piedmontese forces)
Mantua 1796- deliberately made misleading moves to place enemy in weaker position and attacking from the rear
Examples of the limits to Napoleon’s skill in the Italian Campaign
exaggerations- propaganda exaggerated his success eg the army was not in such bad condition on his arrival as is sometimes claimed
propaganda- Arcola (Nov 1796) he failed to cross the bridge and fell off and a private letter from his brother showed that the soldiers were not inspired by N’s bravery and fled
Campo Formio only represented temporary peace
What was the result of the Italian Campaign for Napoleon
- increased his fame; reputation as military general and bringer of peace; increased his own sense of destiny (‘I have tasted authority and i will not give it up’)
- directory increasingly reliant on the money N sent back from Italy
