Napoleonic Wars in 8 Minutes - Manny Man Does History

Summary

The video recounts the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. It highlights his transformation from a young general to Emperor, his military conquests across Europe, and the alliances formed against him. Key battles, treaties, and his strategies are detailed, leading to his eventual downfall at Waterloo. The video also touches on Napoleon's impact on nationalism, European borders, and reforms like the metric system. The Congress of Vienna and its long-lasting peace are also mentioned as part of his legacy.

Takeaways

• ⚔️ The French Revolution led to the execution of King Louis XVI, France becoming a republic, and initiating wars across Europe.
• 👑 A young general named Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, declaring himself supreme leader and later Emperor of France.
• 🤝 The Treaty of Amiens between France and Britain temporarily brought peace, but tensions quickly resurfaced, leading to more conflicts.
• 🇨🇭 Napoleon's occupation of Switzerland and reorganization of various European territories caused alarm, especially in Britain.
• ⚔️ The Napoleonic Wars began in 1803 after Britain declared war on France, with France annexing and creating puppet states across Europe.
• 🏴‍☠️ In 1805, the Third Coalition formed against France, with Britain defeating the combined Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar.
• 🎖️ Napoleon's strategic brilliance, especially in combining infantry, cavalry, and artillery, allowed him to win significant victories, like the Battle of Austerlitz.
• ❄️ The disastrous Russian campaign of 1812 marked a turning point, with Napoleon losing most of his army due to harsh winter conditions and Russian tactics.
• 🗺️ Napoleon was eventually forced to abdicate in 1814 after coalition forces captured Paris, but he returned briefly in 1815 before his final defeat at Waterloo.
• 📜 The Congress of Vienna reshaped Europe's borders and established a lasting peace, while Napoleon's legacy influenced European nationalism, democratic reforms, and even the metric system.

Q & A

What significant event marked the beginning of the Napoleonic Wars?

The Napoleonic Wars began in May 1803 when Britain declared war on France after failed negotiations with Napoleon, primarily over his occupation of Switzerland and his influence in Europe.

How did Napoleon become the Emperor of France?

In 1804, the French Senate declared Napoleon Emperor, allowing him to pass the title to an heir and preventing the return of a monarchy or Jacobin rule.

What were the major changes Napoleon made to the political landscape of Europe during his reign?

Napoleon annexed various countries, established puppet states such as the Batavian Republic in the Netherlands, and reorganized parts of Germany and Italy into duchies and kingdoms under French influence.

What was the significance of the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805?

The Battle of Trafalgar was a crucial naval battle where the British fleet, under Lord Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish fleets, ensuring Britain's naval supremacy and preventing a French invasion.

How did Napoleon’s invasion of Russia in 1812 affect his military campaign?

The invasion of Russia was disastrous for Napoleon. Despite initial success, his army was decimated by the harsh winter, lack of supplies, and Russian scorched-earth tactics, with only 27,000 of his 600,000 troops returning.

What led to Napoleon's first abdication and exile in 1814?

After suffering defeats, particularly at the Battle of Leipzig, coalition forces captured Paris in 1814. Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to the island of Elba.

What was the Continental System, and why did it fail?

The Continental System was Napoleon’s attempt to blockade Britain by cutting off its trade with Europe. However, it failed due to widespread smuggling and resistance from countries like Russia and Portugal, leading to further conflict.

What happened during Napoleon’s Hundred Days campaign in 1815?

After escaping from Elba in 1815, Napoleon briefly regained power in France during the Hundred Days. He raised an army and launched an offensive, but was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, leading to his final exile to Saint Helena.

How did Napoleon's reforms influence Europe after his fall from power?

Napoleon's legal and administrative reforms, including the Napoleonic Code and the metric system, had a lasting influence on many European countries. His reign also promoted nationalism and democracy, ideas that persisted even after his empire fell.

What was the Congress of Vienna, and what was its goal following Napoleon’s defeat?

The Congress of Vienna was a diplomatic meeting of European powers held after Napoleon's defeat. Its goal was to redraw the map of Europe, restore monarchies, and create a balance of power to prevent future large-scale conflicts, leading to a relatively stable Europe until World War I.

Outlines

00:00

🇫🇷 Rise of Napoleon and the Formation of the French Empire

The French Revolution saw the execution of the king, the establishment of a republic, and a period of conflict across Europe. During this time, Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, declaring himself supreme leader. After defeating the Second Coalition, Napoleon signed the Treaty of Amiens with Britain, which provided a brief peace. He reorganized annexed territories into puppet states such as the Batavian Republic and Helvetic Republic. Tensions escalated when Britain resumed hostilities due to Napoleon’s interference in foreign affairs, leading to the Napoleonic Wars. In 1804, Napoleon declared himself Emperor, creating the French Empire and defeating coalition forces at the Battle of Austerlitz, cementing his dominance in Europe. His strategic innovations in warfare, including the use of conscripts and artillery, allowed France to outmaneuver larger coalition forces.

05:01

🏔️ Napoleon's Failed Russian Campaign and the Rise of the Sixth Coalition

Napoleon's ambitions led to the invasion of Russia in 1812, aiming to subdue the nation and enforce the Continental System. The campaign saw fierce battles, including the Battle of Borodino near Moscow, but the French army was devastated by Russian tactics of scorched earth and the harsh winter. Only a fraction of Napoleon's massive army returned. In the aftermath, the Sixth Coalition, composed of Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, mounted a significant resistance. Napoleon’s army, weakened but swiftly replenished, faced several setbacks. After initial victories, he was forced to retreat at Leipzig in 1813, leading to his abdication and exile to Elba in 1814. His short-lived return in 1815 ended at the Battle of Waterloo, where coalition forces under the Duke of Wellington decisively defeated him. Napoleon was exiled again, this time to the remote island of Saint Helena.

Keywords

💡French Revolution

The French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France (1789–1799), during which the French monarchy was overthrown, leading to the establishment of a republic. This era set the stage for many European conflicts and is central to understanding the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who took power in its aftermath. The revolution's impacts, such as the execution of the king and France's wars with neighboring countries, are pivotal themes in the video.

💡Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and later declared himself Emperor of France. His reign marked the Napoleonic Wars, during which he expanded French territory and influence across Europe. The video highlights his military campaigns, his eventual defeat, and his influence on European politics, including his role in the reformation of European states and the introduction of lasting reforms like the metric system.

💡Napoleonic Wars

The Napoleonic Wars were a series of major conflicts (1803–1815) pitting Napoleon’s French Empire against various coalitions of European nations, including Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia. These wars were crucial for reshaping European borders and governance. The video discusses the scale of these wars, the creation of puppet states, and the eventual defeat of Napoleon, which left France weakened and Britain as the dominant European power.

💡Continental System

The Continental System was an economic blockade designed by Napoleon to paralyze Britain by cutting off its trade with Europe. It was intended to exclude British goods from continental markets but ultimately failed due to smuggling and Britain's naval dominance. The video mentions how this system antagonized nations like Russia, contributing to Napoleon's invasion of Russia and weakening his empire.

💡Battle of Austerlitz

The Battle of Austerlitz, also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors, was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, fought in 1805. He decisively defeated the Russian and Austrian armies, which reinforced his dominance in Europe. The video describes this battle as a turning point that dissolved the Holy Roman Empire and solidified Napoleon's control over much of central Europe.

💡Treaty of Amiens

The Treaty of Amiens (1802) was a peace agreement between France and Britain, marking a temporary halt in the conflicts of the Napoleonic Wars. The treaty, however, only brought a short-lived peace, as tensions resumed in 1803 when war broke out again. The video emphasizes how this brief peace allowed Napoleon to reorganize territories in Europe, although his actions would soon provoke new conflicts.

💡Holy Roman Empire

The Holy Roman Empire was a multi-ethnic complex of territories in central Europe that existed until 1806, when it was dissolved following Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. Napoleon reorganized the territories into duchies and kingdoms under French influence. The video references the fall of the Holy Roman Empire as a critical step in Napoleon's consolidation of power in Europe.

💡Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar (1805) was a naval conflict between the British Royal Navy and the combined fleets of France and Spain. British Admiral Lord Nelson secured a decisive victory, ensuring British naval dominance. The video highlights this battle as a critical moment that prevented Napoleon from invading Britain and cemented British control of the seas during the Napoleonic Wars.

💡Exile to Elba

Napoleon's exile to Elba occurred in 1814 after his defeat by the Sixth Coalition. He was forced to abdicate and was sent to the island of Elba, where he briefly stayed before escaping and returning to power in France in 1815. The video mentions this event as part of the dramatic end of Napoleon’s reign, leading to his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.

💡Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo (1815) was Napoleon’s final military engagement, where his army was defeated by the British-led forces under the Duke of Wellington and the Prussians. This battle marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars and led to Napoleon's second and final exile to the island of St. Helena. The video portrays this battle as a crucial moment in European history, leading to the restoration of the French monarchy and a new balance of power in Europe.

Highlights

The French Revolution saw France executing its king, becoming a republic, and going to war with most of Europe.

Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power and declared himself the supreme leader of France.

Napoleon defeated the Second Coalition, leading to the Treaty of Amiens, which temporarily brought peace between France and Britain.

France annexed several countries during the wars, creating puppet states like the Batavian Republic and the Helvetic Republic.

Napoleon occupied Switzerland after a rebellion, causing Britain to worry about French interference in European affairs.

Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803 to prevent Britain from capturing it.

In 1804, Napoleon was declared Emperor of France, establishing the French Empire.

Napoleon's army defeated the Austrians and Russians at the Battle of Austerlitz, dissolving the Holy Roman Empire.

Napoleon implemented the Continental System, banning British trade with Europe, though it was ultimately ineffective due to widespread smuggling.

Spain and its colonies began fighting for independence after France invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 1808.

Napoleon's army suffered a major defeat in 1812 during the disastrous invasion of Russia, with the harsh winter and Russian attacks devastating his forces.

After being forced to retreat to France, Napoleon abdicated in 1814 and was exiled to the island of Elba.

In 1815, Napoleon returned from exile, raising a new army but was ultimately defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and exiled again to Saint Helena.

Napoleon's rule left a legacy of nationalism, limits on monarchy, and the introduction of the metric system.

The Congress of Vienna in 1815 aimed to create a balance of power in Europe, leading to a relative peace that lasted until World War I.

Transcripts

the French Revolution saw France

executing its King becoming a republic

and going to war with most of Europe

during the Wars a young general rose to

Pyrrha returned to France and declared

himself the supreme leader

his name was Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon

defeated the second coalition of Nations

fending against France the Treaty of

Amiens signed between France and Britain

brought a big peace that would last just

over a year during the war France had

reformed and annexed many countries

creating regimes friendly to France the

Dutch Republic was turned into a puppet

state the Batavian Republic various

Italian republics were set up and

Switzerland was reformed into the

Helvetic Republic as part of the Treaty

of Amiens Britain was to leave Malta

Egypt and Cape Colony Napoleon trying to

clamp down on British imperialism they

hesitated as Napoleon seemed to not be

fulfilling his ends of the bargain in

1802 the Swiss people rose up against

the new government and Napoleon's troops

occupied Switzerland other countries

looked on as Napoleon interfered with

foreign affairs Britain was especially

worried that Napoleon might be up to no

good

Britain had sent orders to leave Cape

Colony but when they saw the French

occupation Switzerland they sent the

trips back and Garret against the French

Napoleon told Britain to steer'd of

European affairs as he reorganized

things and told the British government

to stop its media portraying in Perley

he moved forces across the Atlantic to

Haiti and French Louisiana which he'd

won back from Spain in 1800 Britain gave

France and ultimate him to leave

Switzerland in Holland he quickly sold

Louisiana on the cheap to the United

States of America before it could be

captured by Britain Napoleon wasn't

ready for war and tried to make several

deals with Britain but none that suited

Britain so they declared war on France

in May 1803 beginning what would become

the Napoleonic Wars Britain blockaded

France but sat in constant threat of

French invasion in 1804 the French

Senate declared Napoleon Emperor

creating a title he could pass on to an

heir to stop France falling under a king

or even worse the jacobins and thus

began the French Empire in 1805 Britain

and Russia joined together to oust

France from Netherlands and Switzerland

Austria joined them after Napoleon was

declared king of Italy Sweden joined

into and formed the third coalition

Spain was an ally of France and they

combined fleets but were defeated at the

Battle of Trafalgar by Lord Nelson who

shot and killed during the battle

meanwhile Napoleon's Grand Army moved

across the Holy Roman Empire and

defeated the Austrian army in Ulm in

Bavaria he then occupied Vienna as a

joint Russian Austrian army approached

against the odds he defeated them at

Austerlitz killing 25,000 soldiers while

only losing 7,000 himself the holy roman

empire was dissolved and napoleon

reorganized

into various duchies and kingdoms to

make them easier to govern Austria

signed a treaty with France gave up some

land and exited the war leaving the rest

in a stalemate these wars saw much

grander scale to warfare as France began

to amass a huge army through conscripts

and volunteers of hundreds of thousands

of soldiers part of his strategic

prowess was having artillery units as

themselves along with infantry and

cavalry rather than just artillery

supporting from the background his vast

armies were able to live off the land

and those not necessarily be reliant on

supply lines allowing them to move much

faster napoleon believed in high morale

for his armies and rewarded those loyal

tomb

very often outnumbered French forces

came out victorious under Napoleon the

Industrial Revolution saw the mass

production of weapons allowing France to

iearn much huge armies and Britain

produced weapons for the coalition

armies Prussia Russia Britain Saxony and

Sweden joined to form the fourth

coalition Napoleon swiftly pushed

against the Prussians captured Berlin

and headed right along towards the

Russian frontier picking up more

soldiers along the way from conquered

States he ultimately defeated Russia at

the Battle of Friedland and established

new puppet states across germany in

poland napoleon set up the Continental

System which excluded Britain from trade

but smugglers led this to be ineffective

in 1807 Britain attacked neutral Denmark

Norway to capture their ships fearing

they would fall into Frances hands

so naturally Denmark Norway joined the

war on the side of the French this

attack also turned Russia against

Britain declaring the Anglo Russian war

in which Britain would support Sweden

against Russia fighting over the

Continental System in Finland I know

right by the end of the war of the

fourth coalition Napoleon controlled or

influenced most of Western and Central

Europe because Portugal continued

training with Britain France and Spain

invaded and then in 1808 France turned

on Spain into control of the Iberian

Peninsula this also caused the Spanish

colonies in America to fight for their

independence the fighting in Spain would

prove troublesome as the Spanish would

fight for years using guerilla tactics

against the French Britain came in

through Portugal to help in 1809 Britain

in Austria formed the fifth coalition

against France Britain tried to take

Antwerp and open a new front for

Napoleon to fight but it failed Britain

continued ruling the waves as it fought

France and its allies on the seats

Napoleon travelled to personally retake

Madrid but had to leave to defeat the

Austrians

without him the French army would

ultimately be defeated by the spanish

portuguese and british led by Sir Arthur

Wellesley we'd later become the Duke of

Wellington Napoleon rushed into Austria

to cross the Danube

and suffered his first major tactical

defeat at the Battle of a spur nestling

the Austrians couldn't follow it up a

Napoleon defeated them at Bagram

Napoleon negotiated harsh terms with

Austria in Vienna ceding loads of lands

to other nations

Napoleon narrowly escaped an

assassination attempt by a German

nationalist in 1810 Poland divorced his

wife Josephine and married an Austrian

Archduchess to secure relations with

Austria and hopefully produce an heir it

already made many of his relatives kings

and rulers of his conquered lands France

continued to grow having annexed the

papal States Holland and some German

states because Britain was interfering

with American trade enforcing American

sailors into their Navy the United

States of America declared war on

Britain the war of 1812 went on until

1815 and ultimately amounted to new

territory changes but not before the

British captured and burned Washington

DC Napoleon and Russia both wanted a

semi-independent Poland they could

control Russia was also failing to

comply with the Continental System so

Napoleon amassed a massive international

army and invaded in 1812 as they pushed

in the Russians retreated destroying

what resources they could so as not to

fuel the French army napoleon fought the

deadliest battle of the Napoleonic Wars

the Battle of Borodino just outside of

Moscow he captured the ground but failed

to destroy the Russian army he entered

an already burning Moscow hoping for a

Russian surrender that would never come

but ultimately saw no victory in sight

and decided to retreat the road back was

disastrous for the French army as they

were undersupplied as the Russian winter

was setting in along with Russian

attacks only 27,000 fit soldiers

returned three hundred and eighty

thousand were either dead or missing

while 100,000 were captured Napoleon

returned to Paris to prepare for the

advancing Russians Napoleon quickly

replenished his army numbers Prosser

declared war on France and the sixth

coalition grew the British Portuguese

and Spanish had forced the French out of

Spain in 1813 Austria was convinced to

join the coalition to adding more and

more to the coalition's forces Napoleon

initially led a great victory in Dresden

but the coalition forces moved in at

Leipzig and after the huge battle

Napoleon was forced to retreat he was

offered to remain as Emperor but only

within France's natural boundaries

losing most of the Empire he conquered

he rejected it and coalition forces

moved in and captured Paris and in March

1814 after some fighting Napoleon

ultimately abdicated and was banished to

the island of Elba

the coalition leaders came together to

redraw the map of Europe but this was

not the end in 1815 Napoleon escaped

Elba and returned to France and regain

support and I stood louis xviii he

quickly mustered another french army and

marched north to Belgium and cats the

amassing seventh coalition armies

unaware the surprise worked initially

but the Duke of Wellington took his

forces to just outside the village of

Waterloo where his forces held their

ground on a steep hill which delayed

Napoleon's troops the Prussians arrived

and they all pushed against France who

retreated once more

Napoleon ultimately surrendered and

abdicated once again he was exiled this

time to the much more remote island of

st. Helena in the middle of the Atlantic

where he died and the House of Bourbon

was reinstated and Louie the eighteenth

became King at the end of it all France

was not the great pirate one sports

having spent so much on the wars Britain

came out as the greatest economic power

in Europe Napoleon's rule had brought

certain elements of democracy and limits

on monarchy the many countries held on

to after his regimes were undone not to

mention the metric system just works the

wars instilled a great sense of

nationalism pride in one's country the

Congress of Vienna sought to arrange

countries so that there was no imbalance

of power

resulting in a relative peace that would

last a century until the outbreak of

World War one during this time millions

of people took the peacetime opportunity

to cross the Atlantic and create a new

life in the United States relieving huge

population pressures on Europe Napoleon

had a vision of a European Association

one Europe united by common European

values and ideas 200 years on Europe

seems to have a bit of that still

working out the kinks though thanks for

watching this has been a hugely

requested video and I'm glad I've had it

ready for the 200th anniversary of the

Battle of Waterloo please share and let

people see what happened this time 200

years ago unless you're watching this

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