1. 23.4 Napoleon’s Empire Collapses

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. Drawing of French burning British Goods

7. Map of Smugglers’ Route
Notice where
goods originate

8. 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 ( ) to get them out

9. 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?)

10. 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)

11. 3rd of May, 1808

12. Disasters of War,

13. 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!

14. Graphic depiction of Invasion of Russia

15. Painting depicting French Retreat from Russia
                                                                                                                                                                                    

16. Political cartoon about a soldier deserting army
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

17. 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

18. Where is Elba?

19. Napoleon arriving in Elba

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Where is St. Helena?

24. Political Cartoon of Napoleon on St. Helena