1. The Continental System, The Peninsular War, and The Russian Invasion
Napoleon’s Decline
The Continental System, The Peninsular War, and The Russian Invasion

2. Objectives
Today we will be able to identify how military support of the Continental System would ultimately lead to Napoleon’s demise.

3. The Continental System
In 1806, Napoleon instituted the “Continental System”.
A closed trade system that created an embargo and blockades on Great Britain and their goods in continental Europe.
How would an embargo on British goods in continental Europe impact the British economy?

4. Impacts of the Continental System
France could not effectively monitor all ports of continental Europe.
France couldn’t pick up the slack of a lack of British goods.
The blockade came completely apart as a result of an economic depression that began in 1811.

5. The Peninsular War
Napoleon invaded the Iberian Peninsula in part to stop smuggling.
When Napoleon marginalized the church in Spain, the Nobility, Clergy and Peasantry revolted.
They engaged in short, bloody, guerilla attacks on French forces.
The British came to the aid of the Portuguese and Spanish guerillas and contributed the first successful guerilla war in modern Europe.
Napoleon’s “Spanish Ulcer” bled France.

6. Quick Write
What was the impact of the Peninsular War on Napoleonic France?

7. The Russian Invasion
Russia withdrew from the Continental System in 1810.
Napoleon felt that he would be able to enforce the continental blockade by defeating Russia militarily.
Napoleon’s stated, “The question is always this, who shall have Constantinople?” and control access to the Black Sea.
Napoleon prepared the largest Army ever assembled in Europe up to that point to march on Russia
The Grand Army – over 600,000 strong.
In June 1812, the Grand Army crossed the Neimen River from Warsaw (Poland) into Russia.

8. Military Tactics
Napoleon attempted to lure the Russian armies into battle.
The Russians simply retreated and drew the Grand Army further into western Russia until it was 60 miles from Moscow in the town of Borodino.
The bloodiest battle of the Napoleonic era ensued and ended in a truce with 68,000 killed or wounded.
The Russian army continued to retreat, until Napoleon reached a deserted Moscow on September 14, 1812.
With winter approaching, Napoleon decided to march his army back to France.

9. Napoleon’s Retreat from Russia
The retreat from Russia to France is looked at as one of the greatest military debacles in history.
Russian troops killed thousands of Napoleon’s troops during the retreat.
What the Russians couldn’t do the freezing winter took care of.
Of the more than 600,000 soldiers who began the Russian campaign, 40,000 had survived. (Merriman, p 546)
10m – 17m

10. Napoleon’s Defeat
As a result of Napoleon’s defeat in Russia, European states formed an alliance against him, the final European Coalition.
The coalition defeated him at Leipzig in Bavaria and then marched on Paris.
In March 1814, the coalition entered Paris.
Napoleon abdicated on April 16, 1814.
He entered into exile at Elba.

11. “The 100 Days”
Napoleon escaped exile a few months after his initial exile in Elba.
For the next 100 days, Napoleon tries to retain his former glory.
He gained supporters on his way to Paris and occupied the Tuileries Palace.
European allies quickly raised an army and defeated him at Waterloo in modern Belgium.
Napoleon then gets exiled to Saint Helena in the south Atlantic.
He died on May 5, 1821.

12. Think/Pair/Share
How did the Continental System, the Peninsular Wars and the Invasion of Russia contribute to Napoleon’s downfall?
How did Napoleon’s Hundred Days impact France at the Congress of Vienna?