The Decline and Fall of Napoleon
1806 & 1807: Berlin Decrees & Milan Decrees
Forbade trade with Britain by France & its empire. Napoleon established
Continental System after loss of Trafalgar. This allowed Britain to continue
to import goods but only by cash payment to further deplete their
economy.
Effect on Britain:
Hampered by lack of French sea power
However, some suggest Britains trade with the Continent fell by
50% in 1811
New developing markets in North and South America anyway
Effect on France:
New trade routes along Rhine and Alps = new markets in empire &
bordering territories.
However, led to decline of industries related to seaport economy or
those that relied on exports.
Russias withdrawal from Continental System precipitated Napoleons
invasion in 1810
o Friction caused by rival ambitions to seize Turkish territory &
Napoleons marriage to Austrian (Russian enemy) Marie Louise.
Also needed to enforce it by invading Portugal who were refusing to
comply = Peninsular War
1807: Napoleon invaded Portugal, sparking Peninsular War.
Negative impact on Napoleon- forced him to fight on 2 fronts 1812-14 &
drained resources.
Britains influence towards Napoleon’s downfall:
Diplomatic efforts:
Urged Europe to oppose Napoleon - Eg. 1809: persuaded Austria
PM Pitt played major role in organising 3rd Coalition
Naval power:
Naval blockade = pressure in trade & imports of war supplies
Orders in council gave legal right to stop & search any ship bound
for a French port and seize its cargo.
, Financial subsidies to Napoleons enemies:
450 000 Austrian & Russian troops being paid by 1813
£600 million total to allies in Europe
Land forces:
Established itself in the Iberian Peninsula under Sir Wellesley
Invaded France in 1814
Loss of Trafalgar:
Reduced seaport economy
led to blockade of French ports.
Arguments against the importance of Britain in Napoleon’s downfall:
60 000 troops didn’t match 100s of 1000s for/against France
Napoleons refusal to back down = easier for Britain to rally forces
against them
May 1808: Spanish revolts led to French invasion of Spain
Beginning of Peninsular War
Caused by Napoleon replacing Spanish king with his brother Joseph =
brutally repressed revolt in Madrid & outbreak of guerilla warfare. The
unpopularity of Napoleons rule was heightened through his
implementation of harsh terror and high taxation.
“Spanish Ulcer”:
tied down 1000s of troops in garrisons and disrupted lines of supply
& communications
drain on men, money morale & prestige
diversion from Russian Campaign
brutal & violent resistance groups set up (Juntas) inspired others
elsewhere.
Apr 1809: War of the Fifth Coalition
Mar 1810: Napoleon married Marie-Louise of Austria, having
divorced Josephine
1811: Napoleonic Empire at its greatest:
Satellite states: Italy, Naples, Holland, Spain. These were valuable as they
provided tribunate & auxiliary soldiers who providied ½ military
expenditure 1804-14.
1806 & 1807: Berlin Decrees & Milan Decrees
Forbade trade with Britain by France & its empire. Napoleon established
Continental System after loss of Trafalgar. This allowed Britain to continue
to import goods but only by cash payment to further deplete their
economy.
Effect on Britain:
Hampered by lack of French sea power
However, some suggest Britains trade with the Continent fell by
50% in 1811
New developing markets in North and South America anyway
Effect on France:
New trade routes along Rhine and Alps = new markets in empire &
bordering territories.
However, led to decline of industries related to seaport economy or
those that relied on exports.
Russias withdrawal from Continental System precipitated Napoleons
invasion in 1810
o Friction caused by rival ambitions to seize Turkish territory &
Napoleons marriage to Austrian (Russian enemy) Marie Louise.
Also needed to enforce it by invading Portugal who were refusing to
comply = Peninsular War
1807: Napoleon invaded Portugal, sparking Peninsular War.
Negative impact on Napoleon- forced him to fight on 2 fronts 1812-14 &
drained resources.
Britains influence towards Napoleon’s downfall:
Diplomatic efforts:
Urged Europe to oppose Napoleon - Eg. 1809: persuaded Austria
PM Pitt played major role in organising 3rd Coalition
Naval power:
Naval blockade = pressure in trade & imports of war supplies
Orders in council gave legal right to stop & search any ship bound
for a French port and seize its cargo.
, Financial subsidies to Napoleons enemies:
450 000 Austrian & Russian troops being paid by 1813
£600 million total to allies in Europe
Land forces:
Established itself in the Iberian Peninsula under Sir Wellesley
Invaded France in 1814
Loss of Trafalgar:
Reduced seaport economy
led to blockade of French ports.
Arguments against the importance of Britain in Napoleon’s downfall:
60 000 troops didn’t match 100s of 1000s for/against France
Napoleons refusal to back down = easier for Britain to rally forces
against them
May 1808: Spanish revolts led to French invasion of Spain
Beginning of Peninsular War
Caused by Napoleon replacing Spanish king with his brother Joseph =
brutally repressed revolt in Madrid & outbreak of guerilla warfare. The
unpopularity of Napoleons rule was heightened through his
implementation of harsh terror and high taxation.
“Spanish Ulcer”:
tied down 1000s of troops in garrisons and disrupted lines of supply
& communications
drain on men, money morale & prestige
diversion from Russian Campaign
brutal & violent resistance groups set up (Juntas) inspired others
elsewhere.
Apr 1809: War of the Fifth Coalition
Mar 1810: Napoleon married Marie-Louise of Austria, having
divorced Josephine
1811: Napoleonic Empire at its greatest:
Satellite states: Italy, Naples, Holland, Spain. These were valuable as they
provided tribunate & auxiliary soldiers who providied ½ military
expenditure 1804-14.
