Napoleon’s Empire Collapses Section 4 Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses Desire for power led to his doom In his efforts to crush Great Britain and extend the French Empire he made three drastic mistakes 1806 -The Continental System- Napoleon sets up a blockade to prevent trade and communication between the British and the rest of Europe Supposed to make Europe more self sufficient and destroy Britain commercial and industrial economy Smugglers and allies in Europe disregarded the blockade British put up their own blockade and because they had a stronger navy they were more successful Created resentment toward French by many European countries because of shortages of goods

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses 1808- The Peninsular War Tried to get Portugal to accept the Continental System Sent invasion force through Spain that Spanish resisted Inflamed nationalistic feelings across Spain, also worried that Napoleon would weaken the Catholic Church For six years bands of Spanish guerillas fought against French forces British also sent aid to the Spanish fighters Nationalism (loyalty to one’s country) became a weapon used against Napoleon, they felt abused by a foreign conqueror

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses 1812- Invasion of Russia Czar Alexander I of Russia angry about Continental System, withdrew support Napoleon’s response- assembled huge army to march on Russia (Grand Army) 420,000 soldiers 1812- invaded Russia Russian soldiers retreated to avoid battle, used scorched earth policy (did not allow Napoleon to feed and supply army) Had to retreat from Russia, fewer than 10,000 soldiers returned home Reputation for success shattered

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses All of the main powers of Europe joined forces against Napoleon 1813- Russia, Britain, Prussia, Austria, Sweden defeat Napoleon in the Battle of Leipizg Napoleon exiled to island of Elba, king restored to power in France (Louis XVIII) Economic depression, fear of returning to old ways- French want Napoleon back 1815 Escapes from Elba, returns to France Rules for 100 days June 1815 defeated at Battle of Waterloo (Belgium), sent into exile again Napoleon died in 1821

Napoleon’s Empire Collapses Napoleon and his French empire caused many changes in France and Europe The laws of the Napoleonic Code were kept in many countries. It is the basis for many European countries laws even today France became a republic with a constitution French people had greater access to education and rights to property Conquests spread the ideas of the French Revolution, such as equality of all men, self rule, individual rights. Nationalist feelings and movements in many parts of Europe.

Section 5 The Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna After the defeat of Napoleon European countries wanted peace and stability 1814-1815- Great Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia and France met in Vienna, Austria Met before Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo Most influential person at the meetings was Klemens von Metternich the foreign minister of Austria Metternich's three goals for the Congress of Vienna To prevent future French aggression by surrounding them by stronger countries Wanted to achieve a balance of power across Europe so one country would not dominate another Wanted to restore the royal families of Europe to their thrones

The Congress of Vienna Containment of France Balance of power Made weaker countries that surrounded France stronger by uniting them or giving them more territory France could not over power its weaker neighbors Balance of power They did not want to weaken France too much because they did not want them to take revenge on the rest of Europe Legitimacy Ruling families were restored to the throne in many countries Wanted to stabilize political relations between the countries

The Congress of Vienna After the Congress of Vienna, European countries began to cooperate to control political affairs Victory for the conservative forces because kings and princes regained their power Britain and France became constitutional monarchies (authority was controlled by a legislative body and the king had symbolic power) Russia, Prussia and Austria had absolute monarchs Power of Britain and Prussia increased Created a time of peace in Europe There was not another great war in Europe for 100 years (World War I)

The Congress of Vienna Rulers of many countries were worried about the effects of the French Revolution (ideas of liberty, equality, democracy) Rulers of Prussia, Austria and Russia signed an agreement called the Holy Alliance to combat the forces of revolution Metternich devised a series of alliances called the Concert of Europe to insure that nations would help each other out if revolutions broke out Established to enforce rules of Congress Ideas of the French Revolution and nationalism did spread across Europe in the 1830’s and 1840’s Areas that the Congress put under foreign control saw a rise in nationalism Ideas about the the basis of power had changed as a result of the French Revolution Many saw democracy as the best way to ensure equality and justice for all