Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

The Continental System Nov 1806 he set up a blockade: forcible closing of ports; to stop all trade and communication between Great Britain and Europe Called this policy the Continental System because it was supposed to make Continental Europe more self-sufficient; also intended to destroy Great Britain’s commercial and industrial economy Blockade wasn’t tight enough-smugglers got through, and some allies disregarded it Britain set up a blockade of their own, stronger navy

The Peninsular War 1808 sent troops through Spain to attack Portugal, to get them to accept Continental System Spanish ppl protested, so Napoleon removed king and replaced him w his brother Joseph Inflamed nationalistic feelings 6 years bands of Spanish peasant fighters, known as guerillas, struck at French armies in Spain Britain sent troops to aid the Spanish; Napoleon lost 300,000 in Peninsular War Weakened French empire; nationalism (loyalty to one’s own country) was growing throughout Europe

The Invasion of Russia 1812 Napoleon decided to invade Russia bc Alexander I had refused to stop selling grain to Britain, and rulers fought over Poland, breakdown in alliance June 1812 Napoleon marched his Grand Army into Russia, 420,000 soldiers Russians retreated, practiced a scorched-earth policy: burn grain, kill animals so nothing left to enemy Sept 7, 1812 armies fought at Battle of Borodino; Russians fell back, allowed French to take Moscow, which they had left in flames, destroyed rather than surrender it French head back but winter approached, many died of cold, hunger, exhaustion, etc. Only 10,000 left Russia of the 420,000

Napoleon’s Downfall Britain, Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia joined to fight France, exploit weakness Napoleon raised another army but not prepared Oct 1813 fought at Leipzig, lost Jan 1814 allied armies pushing to Paris April 1814 Napoleon wanted to fight on but general refused, surrendered, gave up throne, exiled to island of Elba

The One Hundred Days Louis XVI’s brother assumed the throne as Louis XVII: unpopular Napoleon escaped Elba, March 1, 1815 landed in France, emperor again, volunteer army British army, led by Duke of Wellington, prepared for battle near village of Waterloo in Belgium June 18, 1815 Napoleon attacked, lost when Prussia joined Britain The Hundred Days: Napoleon’s last bid for power He was exiled to St Helena, died in 1821 of cancer

The Congress of Vienna European rulers wanted to set up long standing peace after Napoleon was gone-series of meetings were called to set up policies to achieve goal of collective security and stability for the continent: Congress of Vienna; lasted 8 months! Winter of 1814-1815 representatives of the five “great powers” Russia, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, and France met Most influential was foreign minister of Austria: Prince Klemens von Metternich He distrusted French revolution’s democratic ideals, wanted to keep things the way they were 3 goals…

Three Goals… 1) The Containment of France Many steps taken, for example: Switzerland became independent, German states joined to create German confederation 2) Balance of Power Made countries equal in power 3) Legitimacy Rulers affirmed principle of legitimacy: as many as possible of the rulers Napoleon got rid of were to be restored to power (ex France, Spain, Italy)

Long Term Legacies Congress of Vienna was Political Triumph no war for 40 yrs first time nations of an entire continent cooperated to control political affairs, settlements fair so no grudges, agreed to come to one another’s aid in cases of threats to peace Influenced world politics for the next 100 years France’s power decreased while Britain and Prussia’s increased Nationalism spread, led to revolutions European colonies took advantage and broke away for independence Ideas about power and authority changed by French Rev