The role of Britain in Napoleon's downfall

Question 1

Britain’s role in Napoleon’s downfall summary

4

Answer 1

Subsidies to enemies, Austria & Russia

Diplomatic efforts - Created the 3rd coalition

Naval power - Defeated at Trafalgar 1805, naval blockade v France

Land forces - Wellesley took charge of the peninsular war, kept 300,000 french forces in Iberian peninsular. Invaded France in 1814

Question 2

British subsidies to french enemies

Answer 2

£600milllion to allies in Europe.
While few British forces ever fought napoleon directly, British wealth funded up to 450,000 austrian and Russian troops by 1813

Question 3

British diplomatic efforts

Answer 3

Pitt, then PM, organised the 3rd Coalition and kept Austria, Prussia and Russia together in the final struggle

Question 4

British naval power

Answer 4

Naval blockade damaged french trade.

Defeat at Trafalgar 1805 meant Britain had complete control of the seas as the French and Spanish fleets were severely weakened

Question 5

British land forces

Answer 5

Under Wellsely, british forces established themselves in the iberian peninsular. This heavily drianed french forces, and kept 300,000 french troops occupied. Napoleon blamed the ‘spanish ulcer’ for his downfall