War of the Sixth Coalition

Question 1

What were the causes of the War of the Sixth coalition?

Answer 1

After the Russian campaign there was a lull in fighting over the winter of 1812-13 while both the Russians and the French rebuilt their
forces; Napoleon was able to field 350,000 - 400,000 troops. Great Britain joined with Austria, Sweden, Russia, Russia, Prussia Spain, and Portugal in a new coalition.

Question 2

What did Napoleon inflict?

Answer 2

A series of defeats on the coalition culminating in the battle of Dresden in aug 1813.

Question 3

What did Napoleon inflict?

Answer 3

A series of defeats on the coalition culminating in the battle of Dresden in aug 1813.

Question 4

Where did Battle of Dresden take place?

Answer 4

• Around city of Dresden in modern-day Germany.

Question 5

Where did Battle of Dresden take place?

Answer 5

• Around city of Dresden in modern-day Germany.

Question 6

Who won?

Answer 6

Despite being heavily outnumbered, French forces under Napoleon scored a victory.
- However Victory did not lead to the collapse of the coalition.

Question 7

How was the Battle of Leipzig the largest battle since WW1?

Answer 7

The battle was the culmination of the German campaign of 1813 and involved 600,000 soldiers, 2,200 artillery pieces, the expenditure of 200,000 rounds of artillery ammunition and 127,000 casualties, making it the largest battle in Europe prior to World War I.

Question 8

When was Napoleon exiled to Elba?

Answer 8

Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to Elba in May 1814.

Question 9

What did the allies offer?

Answer 9

Peace terms in the Frankfurt proposals in Nov 1813.

Question 10

What did Napoleon remaining Emperor of France do?

Answer 10

Could retain control of Belgium, Savoy and Rhineland, whilst giving up control to the rest including Spain, Netherlands, most of Italy, Germany.

Question 11

Why did Napoleon leave?

Answer 11

Expected to win and delayed too long - lost opportunity.

Question 12

What happened to the British offer?

Answer 12

Withdrawn by December.

Question 13

What new offer did the allies propose?

Answer 13

Retreat boundaries to 1791 equals loss of Belgium.

Question 14

What happens in Spring 1814

Answer 14

• Army reduced to 85000 soldiers
• French were surrounded
• Coalition forces positioned to attack from the German states.
• Napoleon won a series of victories in Six Day campaign
• Six coalition allies closed in on Paris.

Question 15

When did Paris surrender?

Answer 15

The leaders of Paris surrendered to the Coalition on 30 March
1814.

Question 15

When did Paris surrender?

Answer 15

The leaders of Paris surrendered to the Coalition on 30 March
1814.

Question 16

When and why did the French government turn against Napoleon?

Answer 16

On 1st April, 1814, under
Talleyrand’s instruction the French government turned against
Napoleon.

Question 17

Where was Napoleon when he found of Paris was lost?

Answer 17

Advanced as far as Fontainebleau.

Question 17

Where was Napoleon when he found of Paris was lost?

Answer 17

Advanced as far as Fontainebleau.

Question 18

What did the senior officers and marshals do?

Answer 18

On 4 April, led by Marshall
Ney, they confronted Napoleon.

Question 19

What was not possible without senior officers or marshals?

Answer 19

Prospective invasion of Paris would have been impossible.