History
A-Level
Napoleon
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799?
Factor Napoleon’s abilities Other factors
Early life - - Napoleon made use of his opportunities in France – though he was considered an
outsider because of his Italian appearance and accent – isolates socially, especially by
Born in Corsica in 1769, at the time France had recently taken contro
Carlo was a minor aristocrat and lawyer and was able to gain the favo
1789 the military academy in Paris he studied Maths, military theory, philosophy and authorities by working for them, he used his influence to secure an e
history, not typical of the cadets of his day sons (brother Joseph) in France - It was important for the French to g
- He specialized in artillery , which proved useful later on the battle field – however leaders of Corsican society as the island was particularly hard to cont
there were few prospects for his as lieutenant in the garrison town of Auxerre until
the Revolution brought more opportunities
Early Revolution - Inspired by the enthusiasm for change that the events of 1789 brought about, he - Napoleon made some key friendships in Paris, his association w
and Siege of went back to Corsica and took part in attempts to spread the revolution – however especially Robs brother Augustin and the Corsican Jacobin depu
he became involved in local power struggles, making the island too dangerous for promotion to be commander of Artillery of the French force of
Toulon 1793 both him and his family and they moved to France - key development. of Toulon
- 1793 found himself in a key position in Toulon and began a series of military
successes that were to take him to over power in France by 1799
- Owed his appointment to his political connections – British seizure of the major naval
base at Toulon in 1793 was of major importance – The Revolution was threatened
both from within and outside of France - Napoleon provided the plan that led to the
recapture of the city by taking the heights which overlooked the port – effective use
of artillery and showed courage, suffering a Bayonet wound to the leg in the fighting
– led to Bonaparte being given promotion to Brigadier General at the age of 24 in
December 1793
- He became a nationally-known figure because of his own ability and also because of
the political contracts that had allowed him to persuade his superiors to adopt his
successful plan
Impact of the - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grapeshot’ on the rebels is unclear – but it - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and against royali
Revolution to is clear that he took credit for it and when his friend Barras was appointed on of the extreme extent – ruthless, efficient and skilled general
Directors, Napoleon was promoted to Command of the Army of the Interior – aged
1795 & the 26 without ever commanding a significant force on a battlefield
Vendemiaire - He found himself in charge of the largest army in France – his ascent had been
Uprising nothing short of meteoric but he wasn’t completely satisfied with his new role – he
wanted field command of the Army of Italy
Italian - Defended Government and had a good record in Toulon – March 1796 he was - Revolutionary war in which he proved himself would have been
Campaign appointed to command the French army in Italy Revolution
- Rapid movements and concentration of Napoleons forces lead to a series of victories - When jacobins fell in 1794, he was placed under house arrest, b
1796-97 in April, the Piedmontese made peace and Bonaparte entered Milan – he failed to ensured his release, eager to avoid a commander fighting the re
take the key fortress of Mantua and faced Austrian counter attacks put forward plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy
- Elderly Austrian commanders faced a highly dynamic French general who moved - Politics gave him the chance to put this into operation, governm
faster and kept his opponents forces divided - much was made of heroic incidents unrest and needed military force to protect them from the Paris
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799? Luck
Seige of Toulon: Personal skills
Federal Revolt response to unpopular Jacobin government throughout 1793, involved Help of others
breakaways from central government e.g. Lyon and Marseilles Opportunities of the
February 1793 – Toulon revolt leads to British control of key port, Seige established by Weaknesses of estab
generals / the Direct
General Carteaux – doesn’t really get anywhere as they can get supplies from the sea via
the navy
September – Napoleon offered chance to replace injured artillery officer at Toulon by
friend and senior representative in mission as well as a fellow Corsican Saliceti. Thanks in
large part due to the flight of the emigres’
Napoleon arrives with energy and launches a fierce attack on British fort on one end of
the port defending the port before directing his guns on the British navy, successfully
captures the port– marks himself as a good military man and is hailed as a hero
Consequences of Toulon Napoleon, Paris and the Terror
- His skill with artillery marked himself out as a skilled military commandeer - After the Coup of Thermidor Napo
- Brought him to the attention of a number of powerful men in Paris – he arrest due to his friendship with the
successfully crushed the counter revolution in the port brothers, being an outspoken Jacob
- His role in the siege brought him promotion to Brigadier General and - He is saved by the intervention of S
appointed commander of the Artillery of Italy
,The Vendemiaire Uprising - 1795
Causes: Conduct: Consequences:
- Following the overthrow of the Jacobins, there was a - Faced with a royalist uprising in Paris 1-5 th - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and
return to a less extreme system of government - 1795 a October 1795, Directory was determined to use activity to an almost extreme extent – ruthless, effici
new more moderate constitution was adopted which all methods available to preserve order. general
aimed to secure the position of the bourgeoisie over all - The Commander of the Army of the Interior , - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grape
other groups in political life of the nation General Menou, was dismissed because of his unclear – but it is clear that he took credit for it
- This had been achieved in the following ways: reluctance to open fire on the rioters – Barras Barras was appointed on of the Directors, Napol
- Ensuring that political power was in the hands of the assume control of the situation, appealed to any Command of the Army of the Interior – aged 26
propertied classes who paid high levels of taxes officers in the city without posting to come to the commanding a significant force on a battlefield
- Heading up the government with an executive of five aid of the government – Napoleon, removed - He found himself in charge of the largest army in
Directors from the army list, answered his calls and was had been nothing short of meteoric but he wasn
- Having a two-chamber legislature comprising from made one of the Commanders – he proved to be satisfied with his new role – he wanted field com
Councils of Five Hundred and a Council of Ancients in the right place at the right time Italy
- These arrangements were intended to prevent a - The decisive incident in the crisis was the killing - Napoleon was compelled to bide his time to gai
dictatorship as no single person or body could control of a large number of rebels, possibly by fighting army – as commander of the AI he was
the state – new system was characterized by a series of ‘grapeshot; in the narrow streets near the Church the Jacobin Club whose politics he now rejected
conflicts and disputes – failed to deal with the deep of Saint-Roche – generally asserted that and fell in love with Josephine de Beauharnais, w
divisions in French society that were a legacy of the Napoleon gave the order to fire on the rebels politician and soldier who had been executed in
early revolution, most significant of these was religious killing a possibly 400 people and well known in Parisian society, married 9 th M
(those for and against the Catholic Church), social - His desire to prove himself on the battlefield wa
( poor, rich middle and upper classes) and political political masters in the Directory, despite the fac
(republican and royalist) confined to securing the Republic from its intern
- Royalist had enough of the Revolutions constant not stop him from commenting on the campaign
commotion place rather ineffectually in Italy
- From the outset the new regime faced opponents on - He was partially critical of the commander in ch
the left and right – its response was to ignore the will General Scherer
of the people and resort to force - There were three decisive factors that led to the
Carnot, to appoint Napoleon on 2 nd of March 17
the Army in Italy :
,First Italian Campaign
Napoleon in Italy:
- Revolutionary war would have been nothing without the revolution
- When jacobins fell in 1794, he was placed under house arrest, but influential friends ensured his release, eager to avoid a commander fighting the rebels of
forward plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy
- Politics gave him the chance to put this into operation, government faced popular unrest and needed military force to protect them from the Paris mob and
who he had known at Toulon, recommended him – events of Vendemaire earned him promotion to command the Army of the Interior – as Barras tired of h
Napoleon became infatuated, helping his to establish links with Barras and meant he moved in the right circles
- Defended Government and had a good record in Toulon – March 1796 he was appointed to command the French army in Italy
- Tradition picture from his own writings is of a brilliant young general revitalizing a ragbag and demoralized army – but he exaggerated the problems and in f
experienced troops, campaign he fought in 1796 aimed to divide his enemies, troops of Austria and its Italian ally, the state of Piedmont and to take the Fre
fertile plains of northern Italy where his army could live off of the land
- Rapid movements and concentration of Napoleons forces lead to a series of victories in April, the Piedmontese made peace and Bonaparte entered Milan –
the key fortress of Mantua and faced Austrian counter attacks
- Elderly Austrian commanders faced a highly dynamic French general who moved faster and kept his opponents forces divided - much was made of heroic in
storming of the Bridge at Lodi and his personal involvement in the assault on another Bridge at Arcola. Austrian attacks were driven off at Catiglione and fin
battle the Austrians were defeated at Rivoli
- Napoleon set up a new state in Italy, the Cisalpine Republic, he also invaded the Papal States and took territories from the Pope, also occupied Venice
- He personally negotiates the Treaty of Campo Formio 1797 without informing the Directory, he is exercising his own political independence, (he is starting t
power and they send a letter proposing that he works alongside someone- he dismisses this) which gave France the Austrian Netherlands and the Cisalpine
and ceded Venice to Austria, he is creating his own country (Cisalpine)
- Steady stream of plunder back to Paris ensured that the riches of Northern Italy paid his men, returned to Paris in December 1797 to a heros welcome, the
his army, his use of artillery, his ability to divide his enemies, his concentration of force, his skillful and heroic speeches of motivation and his ability to glam
achievements in dispatches all indicated that his success was a result of his own military skill and as a publicist – defeats hidden from the public. Heroic, if m
of his exploits circulated France
- Publishes his own newspaper Currier of France – publishes his successes and becomes wealth from those wins
- However, political circumstances had given his the chance to lead – ability to gain influence among top people was as important as his military ability. His en
and he was lucky that Piedmont made a quick peace. The Austrian decision to make terms in 1797 owed much to the threat they were under from other Fr
Europe and was not just a consequence of their defeats in Italy
,How much of it is Legend:
- Key reason he gained power was his heroic status.
- His appeal to his forces when he first arrived in Italy is supposed to have inspired them, but the story was concocted after his defeat in 1815 and the message was not a
1796
- The army of Italy was not small and weak, 41,000 men. It faced larger forces, a Piedmontese army of 25,000 and an Austrian army of 38,000, however these enemy forc
unified command
- Bonaparte was lucky that Piedmont decided to give up without a decisive defeat – one initial attack on the Piedmontese at Ceva was repulsed and he was lucky that the
towards Turin to link up with the Austrians, also lucky Piedmontese Government had been contemplating since before his appointment
- Successes exaggerated. Austrians were already withdrawing when Bonaparte attacked the Bridge of Lodi and the bridge of Arcola was not actually taken - Napoleon fell
his men
- Campaign from July 1796 to January 1797 was not always mobile – he struggled to take key fortification at Mantua, which held out for 8 months
- His occupation of Northern Italy was characterized by plunder and by the hostility of the Italian people
- He did not constantly press the Austrian but rather had to meet dangerous counter-attacks. Caught by surprise an Austrian attack to relieve Milan, Bonaparte brilliantly
attack while holding the central position - defeated the Austrians at Castiglione in 1796. January 1797 the last major Austrian offensive was launched, Austrians skillfully
hemmed in the French Rivoli. Here sheer energy rather than brilliant maneuvering were decisive. However, Napoleon responded quickly to an Austrian threat to save M
movement saved the day and finally Mantua gave in on 2 nd February 1797
- He was not in a strong position by 1797, faced formidable Austrian forced, rebellious peasants in French occupied areas and long and insecure lines of communications
persuading Austria to accept peace term, which were not all favourable to France – Austria gained the rich and strategically important Venice in return for ceding Belgiu
defend and accepting French control of areas of Norther Italy which were cur off from France and vulnerable to attack
Coup of Fructidor:
- Napoleon given free reign in Italy due to Directory’s own political crisis
- The recent election in 1797 had led to a right wing royalist majority
- Napoleon was so alarmed he sent a general (Augureeau) to Paris to end Barras, Reubell and La Reveliere from the royalists
- Two royalist directors were promptly arrested and the election invalidated. The press was also silenced
- The regime had survived another attempt to under mine it – specifically napoleons military support
Coup of Broumeir– not Napoleon, however person leading it realizes he need the support of the army so he turns to Napoleon who has the loyalty of the army, seen as piv
the Revolution due to his role in Fructidor and Vendiamiare
How did the Italian Campaign aid Napoleon’s rise?
- Not widely known before
- Given the ability to politicize his victories , very good at using political optics, such as loot from Northern Italy so the people can see what a wonderful man he is
- Courier of Italian army of France to show people this and make himself popular
, Egypt: Alexander the Great or a lucky break
Why Egypt: - next major campaign
- Directory concerned about Napoleon’s power and popularity so wanted to distance him from Paris, wearing of his power and jealous of his popularity, send him to Egyp
from taking power
- Napoleon was keen to strike a blow against Britain any way he could – he also liked it because it was seen as a mystical far away man, wanted to appear like Alexander t
a battle state of the British Empire (who he hated), saw it as a way of damaging British prestige without attacking them directly, jealous of British wealth that had been b
though British empire lacked the backbone that captured countries through military success – also a blow to British trade routes
- But there was no way to launch a direct invasion of Britain due to France’s naval inferiority
- French statesmen had considered expanding into the Middle East earlier in the 18 th Century
- Ruled by the Mamluks and would be easy to win – also superiority of French military tactics and artillery would mean an easy victory – proved to be the case in the batt
the 21st of July 1798 and the conquest of Cairo
- Egypt would have been a base for an invasion of India – Nap admired Alexander the Greats conquests and dreamt of establishing an Asian empire like that of his hero
- Interest in scientific and cultural aspects of Egypt – caught the publics interest and would give France prestige
Napoleon in Egypt:
- 300 + ships, 35,000 soldiers and 150 scientific experts sail from Toulon for Egypt, social and scientific expedition too
- Land at Aboukir Bay, bombard Alexandria and march to Cairo
- Nelson’s fleet destroyed the French fleet at the mouth of the Nile – cuts the French army off
- Egypt was nominally a province of the Ottoman Empire - Mamluks were ruling, fearsome warrior nation but they are - Defeated at the Battle of the Pyramids 21 st July 1
square led to this success
- Napoleon becomes ruler of Egypt gives himself the title of a ‘defender of Islam’ – not coming as a Christian, has no intention of converting away from Islam.
- A French administration set up in Cairo
- Turkish declaration of war on France – he now has a choice, he decides to cut of the Turks on their way down to them
- On in to Syria to pre-empt Turkish attack
- He captures Jaffa in March 1799
- Shot 2000 prisoners who he could not feed - controversial
- Siege of Acre fails – fails, lost nearly 50% of his 15,000 men and forced to return to Cairo – first time his campaigning has failed
- Meanwhile Russia had declared war on France and was invading Italy - all the territory he had not long before captured
- Napoleon returned to France leaving Kleber in command of Egypt – and much of his army, leaves note blaming his failure on the cowardliness of the army where he hel
when the British kick him out
- In terms of PR the Egypt campaign is a great success because they don’t hear about the failures, only hear about the battle of the pyramids for which Napoleon has issu
back loads of artifacts which are very popular in France and so he comes back as an exotic figure who has defeated savages, it is a cultural success and the Directory is f
back, on its last legs and becoming very unpopular, Napoleon isn’t on the scene for this, and so comes back as a clean man not tarnished by the Directory
A-Level
Napoleon
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799?
Factor Napoleon’s abilities Other factors
Early life - - Napoleon made use of his opportunities in France – though he was considered an
outsider because of his Italian appearance and accent – isolates socially, especially by
Born in Corsica in 1769, at the time France had recently taken contro
Carlo was a minor aristocrat and lawyer and was able to gain the favo
1789 the military academy in Paris he studied Maths, military theory, philosophy and authorities by working for them, he used his influence to secure an e
history, not typical of the cadets of his day sons (brother Joseph) in France - It was important for the French to g
- He specialized in artillery , which proved useful later on the battle field – however leaders of Corsican society as the island was particularly hard to cont
there were few prospects for his as lieutenant in the garrison town of Auxerre until
the Revolution brought more opportunities
Early Revolution - Inspired by the enthusiasm for change that the events of 1789 brought about, he - Napoleon made some key friendships in Paris, his association w
and Siege of went back to Corsica and took part in attempts to spread the revolution – however especially Robs brother Augustin and the Corsican Jacobin depu
he became involved in local power struggles, making the island too dangerous for promotion to be commander of Artillery of the French force of
Toulon 1793 both him and his family and they moved to France - key development. of Toulon
- 1793 found himself in a key position in Toulon and began a series of military
successes that were to take him to over power in France by 1799
- Owed his appointment to his political connections – British seizure of the major naval
base at Toulon in 1793 was of major importance – The Revolution was threatened
both from within and outside of France - Napoleon provided the plan that led to the
recapture of the city by taking the heights which overlooked the port – effective use
of artillery and showed courage, suffering a Bayonet wound to the leg in the fighting
– led to Bonaparte being given promotion to Brigadier General at the age of 24 in
December 1793
- He became a nationally-known figure because of his own ability and also because of
the political contracts that had allowed him to persuade his superiors to adopt his
successful plan
Impact of the - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grapeshot’ on the rebels is unclear – but it - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and against royali
Revolution to is clear that he took credit for it and when his friend Barras was appointed on of the extreme extent – ruthless, efficient and skilled general
Directors, Napoleon was promoted to Command of the Army of the Interior – aged
1795 & the 26 without ever commanding a significant force on a battlefield
Vendemiaire - He found himself in charge of the largest army in France – his ascent had been
Uprising nothing short of meteoric but he wasn’t completely satisfied with his new role – he
wanted field command of the Army of Italy
Italian - Defended Government and had a good record in Toulon – March 1796 he was - Revolutionary war in which he proved himself would have been
Campaign appointed to command the French army in Italy Revolution
- Rapid movements and concentration of Napoleons forces lead to a series of victories - When jacobins fell in 1794, he was placed under house arrest, b
1796-97 in April, the Piedmontese made peace and Bonaparte entered Milan – he failed to ensured his release, eager to avoid a commander fighting the re
take the key fortress of Mantua and faced Austrian counter attacks put forward plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy
- Elderly Austrian commanders faced a highly dynamic French general who moved - Politics gave him the chance to put this into operation, governm
faster and kept his opponents forces divided - much was made of heroic incidents unrest and needed military force to protect them from the Paris
,Why did Napoleon come to power in 1799? Luck
Seige of Toulon: Personal skills
Federal Revolt response to unpopular Jacobin government throughout 1793, involved Help of others
breakaways from central government e.g. Lyon and Marseilles Opportunities of the
February 1793 – Toulon revolt leads to British control of key port, Seige established by Weaknesses of estab
generals / the Direct
General Carteaux – doesn’t really get anywhere as they can get supplies from the sea via
the navy
September – Napoleon offered chance to replace injured artillery officer at Toulon by
friend and senior representative in mission as well as a fellow Corsican Saliceti. Thanks in
large part due to the flight of the emigres’
Napoleon arrives with energy and launches a fierce attack on British fort on one end of
the port defending the port before directing his guns on the British navy, successfully
captures the port– marks himself as a good military man and is hailed as a hero
Consequences of Toulon Napoleon, Paris and the Terror
- His skill with artillery marked himself out as a skilled military commandeer - After the Coup of Thermidor Napo
- Brought him to the attention of a number of powerful men in Paris – he arrest due to his friendship with the
successfully crushed the counter revolution in the port brothers, being an outspoken Jacob
- His role in the siege brought him promotion to Brigadier General and - He is saved by the intervention of S
appointed commander of the Artillery of Italy
,The Vendemiaire Uprising - 1795
Causes: Conduct: Consequences:
- Following the overthrow of the Jacobins, there was a - Faced with a royalist uprising in Paris 1-5 th - Proved himself as supporter of the revolution and
return to a less extreme system of government - 1795 a October 1795, Directory was determined to use activity to an almost extreme extent – ruthless, effici
new more moderate constitution was adopted which all methods available to preserve order. general
aimed to secure the position of the bourgeoisie over all - The Commander of the Army of the Interior , - Whether or not he delivered the ‘whiff of grape
other groups in political life of the nation General Menou, was dismissed because of his unclear – but it is clear that he took credit for it
- This had been achieved in the following ways: reluctance to open fire on the rioters – Barras Barras was appointed on of the Directors, Napol
- Ensuring that political power was in the hands of the assume control of the situation, appealed to any Command of the Army of the Interior – aged 26
propertied classes who paid high levels of taxes officers in the city without posting to come to the commanding a significant force on a battlefield
- Heading up the government with an executive of five aid of the government – Napoleon, removed - He found himself in charge of the largest army in
Directors from the army list, answered his calls and was had been nothing short of meteoric but he wasn
- Having a two-chamber legislature comprising from made one of the Commanders – he proved to be satisfied with his new role – he wanted field com
Councils of Five Hundred and a Council of Ancients in the right place at the right time Italy
- These arrangements were intended to prevent a - The decisive incident in the crisis was the killing - Napoleon was compelled to bide his time to gai
dictatorship as no single person or body could control of a large number of rebels, possibly by fighting army – as commander of the AI he was
the state – new system was characterized by a series of ‘grapeshot; in the narrow streets near the Church the Jacobin Club whose politics he now rejected
conflicts and disputes – failed to deal with the deep of Saint-Roche – generally asserted that and fell in love with Josephine de Beauharnais, w
divisions in French society that were a legacy of the Napoleon gave the order to fire on the rebels politician and soldier who had been executed in
early revolution, most significant of these was religious killing a possibly 400 people and well known in Parisian society, married 9 th M
(those for and against the Catholic Church), social - His desire to prove himself on the battlefield wa
( poor, rich middle and upper classes) and political political masters in the Directory, despite the fac
(republican and royalist) confined to securing the Republic from its intern
- Royalist had enough of the Revolutions constant not stop him from commenting on the campaign
commotion place rather ineffectually in Italy
- From the outset the new regime faced opponents on - He was partially critical of the commander in ch
the left and right – its response was to ignore the will General Scherer
of the people and resort to force - There were three decisive factors that led to the
Carnot, to appoint Napoleon on 2 nd of March 17
the Army in Italy :
,First Italian Campaign
Napoleon in Italy:
- Revolutionary war would have been nothing without the revolution
- When jacobins fell in 1794, he was placed under house arrest, but influential friends ensured his release, eager to avoid a commander fighting the rebels of
forward plans to drive the Austrians out of Italy
- Politics gave him the chance to put this into operation, government faced popular unrest and needed military force to protect them from the Paris mob and
who he had known at Toulon, recommended him – events of Vendemaire earned him promotion to command the Army of the Interior – as Barras tired of h
Napoleon became infatuated, helping his to establish links with Barras and meant he moved in the right circles
- Defended Government and had a good record in Toulon – March 1796 he was appointed to command the French army in Italy
- Tradition picture from his own writings is of a brilliant young general revitalizing a ragbag and demoralized army – but he exaggerated the problems and in f
experienced troops, campaign he fought in 1796 aimed to divide his enemies, troops of Austria and its Italian ally, the state of Piedmont and to take the Fre
fertile plains of northern Italy where his army could live off of the land
- Rapid movements and concentration of Napoleons forces lead to a series of victories in April, the Piedmontese made peace and Bonaparte entered Milan –
the key fortress of Mantua and faced Austrian counter attacks
- Elderly Austrian commanders faced a highly dynamic French general who moved faster and kept his opponents forces divided - much was made of heroic in
storming of the Bridge at Lodi and his personal involvement in the assault on another Bridge at Arcola. Austrian attacks were driven off at Catiglione and fin
battle the Austrians were defeated at Rivoli
- Napoleon set up a new state in Italy, the Cisalpine Republic, he also invaded the Papal States and took territories from the Pope, also occupied Venice
- He personally negotiates the Treaty of Campo Formio 1797 without informing the Directory, he is exercising his own political independence, (he is starting t
power and they send a letter proposing that he works alongside someone- he dismisses this) which gave France the Austrian Netherlands and the Cisalpine
and ceded Venice to Austria, he is creating his own country (Cisalpine)
- Steady stream of plunder back to Paris ensured that the riches of Northern Italy paid his men, returned to Paris in December 1797 to a heros welcome, the
his army, his use of artillery, his ability to divide his enemies, his concentration of force, his skillful and heroic speeches of motivation and his ability to glam
achievements in dispatches all indicated that his success was a result of his own military skill and as a publicist – defeats hidden from the public. Heroic, if m
of his exploits circulated France
- Publishes his own newspaper Currier of France – publishes his successes and becomes wealth from those wins
- However, political circumstances had given his the chance to lead – ability to gain influence among top people was as important as his military ability. His en
and he was lucky that Piedmont made a quick peace. The Austrian decision to make terms in 1797 owed much to the threat they were under from other Fr
Europe and was not just a consequence of their defeats in Italy
,How much of it is Legend:
- Key reason he gained power was his heroic status.
- His appeal to his forces when he first arrived in Italy is supposed to have inspired them, but the story was concocted after his defeat in 1815 and the message was not a
1796
- The army of Italy was not small and weak, 41,000 men. It faced larger forces, a Piedmontese army of 25,000 and an Austrian army of 38,000, however these enemy forc
unified command
- Bonaparte was lucky that Piedmont decided to give up without a decisive defeat – one initial attack on the Piedmontese at Ceva was repulsed and he was lucky that the
towards Turin to link up with the Austrians, also lucky Piedmontese Government had been contemplating since before his appointment
- Successes exaggerated. Austrians were already withdrawing when Bonaparte attacked the Bridge of Lodi and the bridge of Arcola was not actually taken - Napoleon fell
his men
- Campaign from July 1796 to January 1797 was not always mobile – he struggled to take key fortification at Mantua, which held out for 8 months
- His occupation of Northern Italy was characterized by plunder and by the hostility of the Italian people
- He did not constantly press the Austrian but rather had to meet dangerous counter-attacks. Caught by surprise an Austrian attack to relieve Milan, Bonaparte brilliantly
attack while holding the central position - defeated the Austrians at Castiglione in 1796. January 1797 the last major Austrian offensive was launched, Austrians skillfully
hemmed in the French Rivoli. Here sheer energy rather than brilliant maneuvering were decisive. However, Napoleon responded quickly to an Austrian threat to save M
movement saved the day and finally Mantua gave in on 2 nd February 1797
- He was not in a strong position by 1797, faced formidable Austrian forced, rebellious peasants in French occupied areas and long and insecure lines of communications
persuading Austria to accept peace term, which were not all favourable to France – Austria gained the rich and strategically important Venice in return for ceding Belgiu
defend and accepting French control of areas of Norther Italy which were cur off from France and vulnerable to attack
Coup of Fructidor:
- Napoleon given free reign in Italy due to Directory’s own political crisis
- The recent election in 1797 had led to a right wing royalist majority
- Napoleon was so alarmed he sent a general (Augureeau) to Paris to end Barras, Reubell and La Reveliere from the royalists
- Two royalist directors were promptly arrested and the election invalidated. The press was also silenced
- The regime had survived another attempt to under mine it – specifically napoleons military support
Coup of Broumeir– not Napoleon, however person leading it realizes he need the support of the army so he turns to Napoleon who has the loyalty of the army, seen as piv
the Revolution due to his role in Fructidor and Vendiamiare
How did the Italian Campaign aid Napoleon’s rise?
- Not widely known before
- Given the ability to politicize his victories , very good at using political optics, such as loot from Northern Italy so the people can see what a wonderful man he is
- Courier of Italian army of France to show people this and make himself popular
, Egypt: Alexander the Great or a lucky break
Why Egypt: - next major campaign
- Directory concerned about Napoleon’s power and popularity so wanted to distance him from Paris, wearing of his power and jealous of his popularity, send him to Egyp
from taking power
- Napoleon was keen to strike a blow against Britain any way he could – he also liked it because it was seen as a mystical far away man, wanted to appear like Alexander t
a battle state of the British Empire (who he hated), saw it as a way of damaging British prestige without attacking them directly, jealous of British wealth that had been b
though British empire lacked the backbone that captured countries through military success – also a blow to British trade routes
- But there was no way to launch a direct invasion of Britain due to France’s naval inferiority
- French statesmen had considered expanding into the Middle East earlier in the 18 th Century
- Ruled by the Mamluks and would be easy to win – also superiority of French military tactics and artillery would mean an easy victory – proved to be the case in the batt
the 21st of July 1798 and the conquest of Cairo
- Egypt would have been a base for an invasion of India – Nap admired Alexander the Greats conquests and dreamt of establishing an Asian empire like that of his hero
- Interest in scientific and cultural aspects of Egypt – caught the publics interest and would give France prestige
Napoleon in Egypt:
- 300 + ships, 35,000 soldiers and 150 scientific experts sail from Toulon for Egypt, social and scientific expedition too
- Land at Aboukir Bay, bombard Alexandria and march to Cairo
- Nelson’s fleet destroyed the French fleet at the mouth of the Nile – cuts the French army off
- Egypt was nominally a province of the Ottoman Empire - Mamluks were ruling, fearsome warrior nation but they are - Defeated at the Battle of the Pyramids 21 st July 1
square led to this success
- Napoleon becomes ruler of Egypt gives himself the title of a ‘defender of Islam’ – not coming as a Christian, has no intention of converting away from Islam.
- A French administration set up in Cairo
- Turkish declaration of war on France – he now has a choice, he decides to cut of the Turks on their way down to them
- On in to Syria to pre-empt Turkish attack
- He captures Jaffa in March 1799
- Shot 2000 prisoners who he could not feed - controversial
- Siege of Acre fails – fails, lost nearly 50% of his 15,000 men and forced to return to Cairo – first time his campaigning has failed
- Meanwhile Russia had declared war on France and was invading Italy - all the territory he had not long before captured
- Napoleon returned to France leaving Kleber in command of Egypt – and much of his army, leaves note blaming his failure on the cowardliness of the army where he hel
when the British kick him out
- In terms of PR the Egypt campaign is a great success because they don’t hear about the failures, only hear about the battle of the pyramids for which Napoleon has issu
back loads of artifacts which are very popular in France and so he comes back as an exotic figure who has defeated savages, it is a cultural success and the Directory is f
back, on its last legs and becoming very unpopular, Napoleon isn’t on the scene for this, and so comes back as a clean man not tarnished by the Directory
