The Fall of Napoleon 1807-1815 Flashcards
When and what were Napoleon’s Berlin Decrees?
November 1806
Stated that France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Holland and the Confederation of the Rhine were banned from trading with Britain, which started the continental system
When and how did Britain retaliate to the continental system?
January 1807
Britain forbade all neutral ships from trading with countries that followed the Berlin Decrees, which put economic pressure on Napoleon
When did Britain blockade the German coast to prevent trade?
March 1807
When and what were Napoleon’s Milan Decrees?
December 1807
Any ship trading with Britain or its colonies would be liable to seizure by the French Navy
When and what was the Peninsular War?
6th May 1808: Napoleon deposed the Spanish King and replaced him with his brother, Josef. This was because the continental system was being bypassed by Portugal, and Spain refused to attack the Portuguese. This caused a revolt in Spain which became a heavy drain on napoleon’s finances.
1810-11: The French attempted to attack Lisbon, but failed, at a cost of 25,000 casualties. By this time, Napoleon had to have 353,000 men stationed in Spain to quash the rebels and repel British attacks.
1814: Wellington continued to push back against the French and finally defeated them at Toulouse.
When and what was the Russian Campaign?
22nd June: Napoleon started his attack of Russia with 600,000 troops, of which only 270,000 were French. He attacked because he believed that the Russians were not adhering to the continental system.
7th September: Napoleon won the Battle of Borodino, though he lost 30,000 men. This had been a decisive battle, especially since the French had been struggling to survive in Russia, due to the Russians using the scorched earth tactic.
14th September: Napoleon entered Moscow but he decided to remain there rather than going back to France immediately, meaning that the French soon ran out of provisions.
19th October: The French finally began their retreat, but the harsh winter and constant ambushes by the Russians meant that only 25,000 men returned from the Russian Campaign.
Why was Napoleon’s victory at Bautzen against the Prussians and Russians not decisive?
May 1813
A lack of supplies meant he could not follow-up on his victory
When did Austria join the war against Napoleon and why was this decisive? (2 points)
12th August 1813
- The allies now outnumbered Napoleon 483,000 to 375,000
- The allies were able to divide their forces over a front of 500 miles
When and what was the Treaty of Chaumont, and why was it signed?
19th March 1814
Due to Napoleon pushing back against the allies, the allies signed this treaty to reaffirm their determination to act together
When did the allies enter Paris?
31st March 1814
Napoleon was elsewhere with his army, and the people of Paris welcomed the allies with open arms
When did the Senate declare Napoleon deposed?
3rd April 1814
When was Louis XVIII invited to be King?
6th April 1814
When and where was Napoleon deported, and with how many soldiers?
20th April 1814
Island of Elba
1,000 soldiers
Describe the events of the Hundred Days (March-June 1815):
1st March 1815: With a thousand men, Napoleon lands at Cannes after escaping Elba. He does this because of disagreements between the allies at the Congress of Vienna which lead him to see an opportunity for taking back control.
20th March 1815: Napoleon is back in his old palace after managing to rally his troops to him. He now had 140,000 troops with 200,000 in reserve.
18th June 1815: Napoleon’s 72,000 men were defeated at Waterloo by Wellington’s 112,000 soldiers. This marked the end of Napoleon, who was sent to St Helena, a small island, where he was to die on 5th May 1821
