23.4 Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

French Empire in 1807 Included most of Europe, though not Britain Other countries: French Empire - directly ruled by France (Netherlands, Tuscany, Papal States, Illyrian Provinces) Grand Empire - French puppets (Spain, Kingdom of Italy, Confederation of the Rhine) Allied States - weakened by threat of French military invasion (Prussia, Austria, Russia)

Napoleon’s Three Costly Mistakes Napoleon’s ambition got the better of him and led him to make three military blunders Continental System Peninsular War Invasion of Russia Result? French Empire lasts only until 1812

Continental System After Trafalgar, Napoleon knew could not defeat Britain in a naval battle Decided upon this policy of economic warfare instead Closed all ports in the Europe to Britain and British goodsa blockade of British ships into Empire’s ports Goals of Continental System? Make Empire more self-sufficient Cripple British trade and force Britain to come to terms with France

Flaws of Continental System British Navy stronger than French Navy Enforced its own blockade (a blockade of a blockade) Britain’s blockade was more successful Smugglers ignored Continental System These crippled French economy more than it did the British economy

Drawing of French burning British Goods

Map of Smugglers’ Route Notice where goods originate

Peninsular War--Causes 1808, Portugal ignoring Continental System French Army marched through Spain to Portugal Spanish riot In response, Napoleon removed King Charles IV and placed own brother Joseph on throne Spanish remained loyal to Charles and fought French (1808-1813) to get them out

Peninsular War--Course Spanish knew couldn’t defeat French in battle Used guerrilla tactics instead Ambushes and snipers Quickly went into hiding English forces, led by Duke of Wellington, aided Spanish cause Result? Napoleon was forced to divert troops, money and time to Spainbled France to death Lost 300,000 men Could have been used elsewhere (Russia?)

Goya’s Paintings of Peninsular War Spanish painter (obviously, anti-French) Reveal the Brutality of the Peninsular War Both sides committed atrocities (e.g., killing innocents)

3rd of May, 1808

Disasters of War, 1810-1811

Invasion of Russia, 1812 Why? Russia not following Continental System Both Russia (Czar Alexander I) and France hoping to obtain Poland Napoleon, ever ambitious, attacks first Though never loses battle, campaign disastrous Russian scorched-earth policy makes it impossible for Napoleon’s Army to re-supply itself Napoleon makes it to Moscow, but is forced to retreat in September Army left Kovno, Poland with 420,000 men in June, returned in December with 28,000 NEVER GET INVOLVVED IN A LAND WAR IN ASIA!

Graphic depiction of Invasion of Russia

Painting depicting French Retreat from Russia                                                                                                                                                                                     

Political cartoon about a soldier deserting army                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Elba Napoleon’s enemies quickly realize his weakness, form 4th Coalition (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria) Thoroughly defeat him at the Battle of Leipzig (October 16-19, 1813) April 1814, Coalition forces march through Paris Napoleon abdicates, banished to Elba

Where is Elba?

Napoleon arriving in Elba

Hundred Days Coalition puts Louis XVIII on throne (Louis XVI’s brother the Count of Provence) Napoleon hears rumors that French (especially peasants) are afraid that King will undo all Revolutions reforms Especially land reforms On March 1, 1815, he escapes and lands in France French rally to him Napoleon assemblies armyhe knows Coalition will fight

Waterloo, June 18, 1815 British, Prussian and Austrian armies are heading to France Napoleon knows can’t defeat united army, each separately instead Attacks British (led by Duke of Wellington) at Waterloo (modern Belgium) Defeated by both British and Prussian troops

St. Helena This time, British make sure that Napoleon can’t escape Stick him on island in middle of Atlantic Ocean with constant guard Actually becomes a tourist attraction Dies in 1821

Where is St. Helena?

Political Cartoon of Napoleon on St. Helena