23 4 Napoleons Empire Collapses Section Objectives Explain
23. 4: Napoleon’s Empire Collapses
Section Objectives: - Explain Napoleon’s tactical and political mistakes - Summarize Napoleon’s defeat, comeback, and final downfall
Setting the Stage Napoleon worried about who would rule the empire after him He had no children from his wife Josephine n Divorced her Married Marie Louise of Austria (grandniece of Marie Antoinette) Had a son, Napoleon II
NAPOLEON’S COSTLY MISTAKE (three mistakes are numbered in Red) Napoleon’s ambition led to his demise He made three disastrous mistakes Napoleon set up the 1. Continental Systemblockade of the ports that brought trade from G. Britain and other Euro countries n n n Smuggling increased Many countries ignored it English set up their own blockade
NAPOLEON’S COSTLY MISTAKE Blockade cont…. Because G. B. had a stronger navy, they were better able than France to stop ships n All ships were rerouted to G. B. to be searched and taxed Americans hated this so they declared war on England in 1812. n Americans were not much of a concern to the British
2. The Peninsular War (fought in Spain located on the Iberian Peninsula) Napoleon wanted Portugal to follow the Continental System Went through Spain to get to Portugal The Spanish were angry Wanted to stop Napoleon from hurting the Catholic Church in Spain n For six years, guerrillas, peasant fighters, fought the French army n
Invasion of Portugal thru Spain
The Peninsular War cont… Guerrillas fought in small non-military groups n Napoleon’s army could not fight them in battles G. B. sent troops to help the Spanish French lost 300, 000 troops n Weakened the French Empire Nationalism was a growing weapon against Napoleon
Break! Thumbs up if the answer is true, thumb down if the answer is false: Napoleon had a son with his 1 st wife, a descendent of Marie Antoinette FALSE!!! Napoleon’s idea of setting up blockades was good because he had the strongest navy in Europe FALSE!!! Napoleon’s blockade indirectly help lead the U. S. to a war against Britain TRUE
3. The Invasion of Russia Napoleon and Alexander I of Russia were allies BUT, Alexander refused to stop trading with G. B. ; both France and Russia had plans for Poland, so France invaded Russia March, 1812: 420, 000 French soldiers moved towards Russians retreated
Invasion of Moscow
The Invasion of Russia cont… Russian enact the scorch-earth policy burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock as they retreated…WHY? ? ? Armies clashed at the Battle of Borodino, 30, 000 French casualties French win and move towards Moscow, only to find it ON FIRE! Alexander set it on fire rather than see it go to the French n
The Invasion of Russia cont… Napoleon stayed in Russia for about a month and then turned back towards France On their way home, a cold winter began Russians decided to use the weather to their advantage and attacked the French on their way home Only 10, 000 (of 420, 000) French soldier made it home
Napoleon’s Army in Russia
Napoleon’s Downfall Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden declared war against Napoleon Suffers Defeat Napoleon’s new army was not experienced enough to win this war Russians and Prussians took Paris Napoleon was exiled to Elba
The Hundred Days Louis XVI’s brother Louis XVIII took the throne n Unliked by the people especially the peasants As a result, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France People welcome him and joined his army n Within days, he was emperor again n
The Hundred Days cont… The European allies gathered an army to fight Napoleon attacked them at Waterloo After a few days, the French army was exhausted and lost the battle Napoleon was sent to the island St. Helena in the South Atlantic. He lived there for six years and died of a stomach ailment, probably cancer.
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