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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses. PG. 668-671. Napoleon’s Mistakes. Napoleon’s own personality, proved to be the greatest danger to himself – desire for power
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Napoleon’s Empire Collapses PG. 668-671
Napoleon’s Mistakes • Napoleon’s own personality, proved to be the greatest danger to himself – desire for power • November 1806, he sets up a blockade to prevent trade to Great Britain and from Great Britain to all other European Nations – he calls this CONTINENTAL SYSTEM • Two intentions for this: • Make Europe more self-sufficient • Destroy Great Britain commercial/industrial economy
Napoleon’s Mistakes • Napoleon's blockade was not nearly tight enough • Aided by British, smugglers managed to bring in Cargo from Britain to Europe and Napoleon’s allies also disregarded the blockade • His brother Louis (King of Holland), disregarded the blockade • Blockade weakened British trade, it did not destroy it • Britain responds with its own blockade – why do you think Britain’s blockade would be more successful?
The Peninsular War • In an effort to get Portugal to accept the Peninsular War, he sent his troops through Spain. Removed the king and placed his brother Joseph to the throne • The Spanish protested this action and for 6 years Spanish Guerillas would struck French armies in Spain. • Napoleon lost about 300,000 men during the Peninsular War
The Invasion of Russia Why do you think Nationalism would play a role in the defeat of powerful nations? - Napoleons' biggest mistake came in 1812 - Alexander I (Russian Czar) refused to stop trading with Great Britain - Also, Napoleon and Alexander I suspected each other of wanting to invade Poland - Both of these factors led to France invading Russia
Invasion of Russia • June 1812, Napoleon and Grand Army of more than 420,000 soldiers marched into Russia • As Napoelon advanced, Alexander I pulled his troops back • Alexander I, practiced a scorched-earth policy (burning grain fields and slaughtering live stock leaving the enemy nothing to eat)
Invasion of Russia • September 7. 1812 the two armies clashed at the Battle of Borodino – Russians fall back and allow Napoleon to move through Moscow (hours of fighting) • When Napoleon gets to Moscow, it is in flames. Alexander I, burned the city to flames • Napoleon stays in the city and decides to go back • As the snow and temperatures fall into early November, Russian soldier begin to pick apart French soldiers. • Many soldiers died of their wounds, exhaustion, hunger, and cold – middle of December 10,000 soldiers go back to France.
Napoleon’s downfall • Only a few months after his defeat in Russia, Napoleon’s enemies (Britian, Russian, Sweden, Prussia) join forces against him. • Austria also declares war against Napoleon despite his marriage to Marie Louise – All of the main powers in Europe are waging war with France • Napoleon raises an army in a few months – what could be wrong with this? • Allied forces easily defeat Napoleon
Napoleon’s Downfall • By January, 1814 the allied armies begin pushing towards Paris • Napoleon wants to fight, but his generals insist to surrender. • April 1814, he accepted his defeat and gave up his throne • Napoleon is given a small pension and exiled, and he was exiled to Elba (tiny island off the coast of Italy)