4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
FA
Table of Contents
Key events in the downfall of Napoleon............................................................................................4
18.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Oct 1805: Battle of Trafalgar..............................................................................................................................................4
May 1808: Dos de Mayo Uprising......................................................................................................................................4
Jun 1812: Russian Campaign..............................................................................................................................................4
1813: Battle of Leipzig........................................................................................................................................................4
Mar 1814: Treaty of Chaumont..........................................................................................................................................4
Apr 1814: Battle of Paris.....................................................................................................................................................4
Jun 1815: Battle of Waterloo..............................................................................................................................................4
The Continental System & the War against Britain............................................................................6
02.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................6
Height of power..................................................................................................................................................................6
The threat from Britain.......................................................................................................................................................6
The continental system......................................................................................................................................................6
The key events....................................................................................................................................................................6
Significance of the CS in causing napoleon’s fall................................................................................................................7
Overall how significant was the CS in causing napoleon’s fall?.........................................................................................7
Impacts on Britain...............................................................................................................................................................7
Impacts on France..............................................................................................................................................................8
Britain during the napoleonic wars.................................................................................................10
03.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................10
Financing the war.............................................................................................................................................................10
Civilian support network..................................................................................................................................................10
GB’s naval power..............................................................................................................................................................10
..........................................................................................................................................................................................10
GB diplomacy & subsidies................................................................................................................................................11
The role of wellington.......................................................................................................................................................11
Overall which was most imp?...........................................................................................................................................11
The Peninsular war May 08 - Apr 14................................................................................................12
09.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................12
Reasons Nap invaded.......................................................................................................................................................12
Key events.........................................................................................................................................................................12
Consequences...................................................................................................................................................................13
Reasons the peninsular war was not significant..............................................................................................................13
[10] Essay plan................................................................................................................................14
09.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................14
The Continental System....................................................................................................................................................14
The Peninsular War..........................................................................................................................................................14
[10] Practice Essay..........................................................................................................................15
12.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................15
Napoleon’s Retreat From Moscow..................................................................................................16
11.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................16
Why didn’t A1 accept Nap’s terms?.................................................................................................................................16
1
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
Napoleon’s army...............................................................................................................................................................16
Russia’s army....................................................................................................................................................................16
Battle of Moscow..............................................................................................................................................................16
Arrival in Moscow.............................................................................................................................................................16
The retreat........................................................................................................................................................................16
The 1812 Russian Campaign............................................................................................................17
16.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................17
Reasons success was expected.........................................................................................................................................17
Why Napoleon invaded Russia.........................................................................................................................................17
The Army...........................................................................................................................................................................17
Key events in the 1812 Russian Campaign.......................................................................................18
18.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................18
Aug 12: battle of Smolensk...............................................................................................................................................18
Aug 12: battle of Valutina hill...........................................................................................................................................18
7 Sep 12: the battle of Borodino......................................................................................................................................18
15 Sep 12: Nap’s arrival in Moscow.................................................................................................................................18
Oct 12: the French army were forced to retreat..............................................................................................................18
24 Oct 12: The Battle of Maloyarslavets..........................................................................................................................18
Dec 12: Nap issued the 29th bulletin...............................................................................................................................18
Impact of the 1812 Russian Campaign.............................................................................................19
18.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................19
Evidence that the campaign signalled the end of Nap’s regime......................................................................................19
Evidence that the campaign did not signal the end of Nap’s regime..............................................................................19
War of the 6th Coalition...................................................................................................................20
02.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................20
Mar 1813..........................................................................................................................................................................20
May 1813..........................................................................................................................................................................20
12 Aug 1813......................................................................................................................................................................20
16 Oct 1813.......................................................................................................................................................................20
Nov 1813...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Jan 1814............................................................................................................................................................................20
Feb 1814...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Mar 1814..........................................................................................................................................................................20
Apr 1814...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Importance of the War of the 6th Coalition......................................................................................21
04.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................21
Important..........................................................................................................................................................................21
Not important...................................................................................................................................................................21
Overall...............................................................................................................................................................................21
What led to the abdication?............................................................................................................22
04.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................22
How stable was Nap’s rule after 1807?...........................................................................................23
09.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................23
After 1807.........................................................................................................................................................................23
By 1814.............................................................................................................................................................................23
How was the empire ruled?.............................................................................................................................................23
2
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
Financial policies...............................................................................................................................................................23
Social polices.....................................................................................................................................................................23
Evidence of opposition in the empire..............................................................................................................................23
Evidence that the opposition was effective.....................................................................................................................23
Evidence that the opposition was NOT effective.............................................................................................................24
How imp was the opposition in France & the Empire to the fall of Nap?.......................................................................24
Assess the reasons for the downfall of Napoleon in 1814. [20]........................................................25
09.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................25
Nap’s over-confidence – main reason..............................................................................................................................25
Russian campaign.............................................................................................................................................................25
War of the 6th coalition.....................................................................................................................................................25
The 100 days war............................................................................................................................26
23.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................26
Proclamation of Marshal Augereau to his army, 16 Apr 1814.........................................................................................26
The 100 days war..............................................................................................................................................................26
Timeline of events............................................................................................................................................................26
The restoration.................................................................................................................................................................26
Evidence that Nap’s chances of success were low...........................................................................................................26
Evidence that Nap’s chances of success were high..........................................................................................................26
Reasons the 100 days war failed.....................................................................................................28
23.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................28
Opposition of Nap’s foreign enemies...............................................................................................................................28
Failure of key ppl in France to support Nap.....................................................................................................................28
Little belief in the new consti & memories of previous hardships...................................................................................28
Military failures (@ Waterloo)..........................................................................................................................................28
Nap’s mistakes..................................................................................................................................................................28
Assess the reasons for the failure of the Hundred Days. [20]...........................................................30
28.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................30
Reasons for Napoleon’s military failures in 1813-15 [10].................................................................31
30.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................31
Question...........................................................................................................................................................................31
Numerical superiority of his enemies...............................................................................................................................31
Domestic problems in France...........................................................................................................................................31
Thesis................................................................................................................................................................................31
Social polices.....................................................................................................................................................................32
Evidence of opposition in the empire..............................................................................................................................32
Evidence that the opposition was effective.....................................................................................................................32
Reasons for Napoleon’s military failures in 1813-15 [10] – redo......................................................33
14.04.2023..................................................................................................................................................33
Question...........................................................................................................................................................................33
3
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
KEY EVENTS IN THE DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON
18.02.2023
Oct 1805: Battle of Trafalgar Naval battle won by GB against allied French & Spanish forces.
Demonstrated GB naval supremacy.
France was unable to win any naval battles against GB after
this.
May 1808: Dos de Mayo Uprising Led to the invasion of Spain & the beginning of the Peninsular
War
Jun 1812: Russian Campaign Napoleon’s largest campaign, a v costly failure.
Meanwhile, GB & USA go to war (ends Feb 1815)
1813: BATTLE OF LEIPZIG A decisive battle that showed that the allied forces had learned
from their previous defeats.
Marked the start of Nap’s retreat from Germany.
Mar 1814: Treaty of Chaumont Formal alliance between Austria, GB, Prussia, & Russia.
Apr 1814: Battle of Paris French surrendered after the defeat in Paris.
Nap abdicated & was replaced by Alexander XVIII.
Nap was exiled to Elba after a mutiny by his senior officers.
Jun 1815: Battle of Waterloo After Nap invade Belgium in an attempt to incr support, GB &
Prussian forces led by Wellington defeated French forces in
Waterloo.
Led to the exile of Nap to St Helena.
4
FA
Table of Contents
Key events in the downfall of Napoleon............................................................................................4
18.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................4
Oct 1805: Battle of Trafalgar..............................................................................................................................................4
May 1808: Dos de Mayo Uprising......................................................................................................................................4
Jun 1812: Russian Campaign..............................................................................................................................................4
1813: Battle of Leipzig........................................................................................................................................................4
Mar 1814: Treaty of Chaumont..........................................................................................................................................4
Apr 1814: Battle of Paris.....................................................................................................................................................4
Jun 1815: Battle of Waterloo..............................................................................................................................................4
The Continental System & the War against Britain............................................................................6
02.02.2023....................................................................................................................................................6
Height of power..................................................................................................................................................................6
The threat from Britain.......................................................................................................................................................6
The continental system......................................................................................................................................................6
The key events....................................................................................................................................................................6
Significance of the CS in causing napoleon’s fall................................................................................................................7
Overall how significant was the CS in causing napoleon’s fall?.........................................................................................7
Impacts on Britain...............................................................................................................................................................7
Impacts on France..............................................................................................................................................................8
Britain during the napoleonic wars.................................................................................................10
03.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................10
Financing the war.............................................................................................................................................................10
Civilian support network..................................................................................................................................................10
GB’s naval power..............................................................................................................................................................10
..........................................................................................................................................................................................10
GB diplomacy & subsidies................................................................................................................................................11
The role of wellington.......................................................................................................................................................11
Overall which was most imp?...........................................................................................................................................11
The Peninsular war May 08 - Apr 14................................................................................................12
09.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................12
Reasons Nap invaded.......................................................................................................................................................12
Key events.........................................................................................................................................................................12
Consequences...................................................................................................................................................................13
Reasons the peninsular war was not significant..............................................................................................................13
[10] Essay plan................................................................................................................................14
09.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................14
The Continental System....................................................................................................................................................14
The Peninsular War..........................................................................................................................................................14
[10] Practice Essay..........................................................................................................................15
12.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................15
Napoleon’s Retreat From Moscow..................................................................................................16
11.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................16
Why didn’t A1 accept Nap’s terms?.................................................................................................................................16
1
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
Napoleon’s army...............................................................................................................................................................16
Russia’s army....................................................................................................................................................................16
Battle of Moscow..............................................................................................................................................................16
Arrival in Moscow.............................................................................................................................................................16
The retreat........................................................................................................................................................................16
The 1812 Russian Campaign............................................................................................................17
16.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................17
Reasons success was expected.........................................................................................................................................17
Why Napoleon invaded Russia.........................................................................................................................................17
The Army...........................................................................................................................................................................17
Key events in the 1812 Russian Campaign.......................................................................................18
18.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................18
Aug 12: battle of Smolensk...............................................................................................................................................18
Aug 12: battle of Valutina hill...........................................................................................................................................18
7 Sep 12: the battle of Borodino......................................................................................................................................18
15 Sep 12: Nap’s arrival in Moscow.................................................................................................................................18
Oct 12: the French army were forced to retreat..............................................................................................................18
24 Oct 12: The Battle of Maloyarslavets..........................................................................................................................18
Dec 12: Nap issued the 29th bulletin...............................................................................................................................18
Impact of the 1812 Russian Campaign.............................................................................................19
18.02.2023..................................................................................................................................................19
Evidence that the campaign signalled the end of Nap’s regime......................................................................................19
Evidence that the campaign did not signal the end of Nap’s regime..............................................................................19
War of the 6th Coalition...................................................................................................................20
02.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................20
Mar 1813..........................................................................................................................................................................20
May 1813..........................................................................................................................................................................20
12 Aug 1813......................................................................................................................................................................20
16 Oct 1813.......................................................................................................................................................................20
Nov 1813...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Jan 1814............................................................................................................................................................................20
Feb 1814...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Mar 1814..........................................................................................................................................................................20
Apr 1814...........................................................................................................................................................................20
Importance of the War of the 6th Coalition......................................................................................21
04.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................21
Important..........................................................................................................................................................................21
Not important...................................................................................................................................................................21
Overall...............................................................................................................................................................................21
What led to the abdication?............................................................................................................22
04.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................22
How stable was Nap’s rule after 1807?...........................................................................................23
09.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................23
After 1807.........................................................................................................................................................................23
By 1814.............................................................................................................................................................................23
How was the empire ruled?.............................................................................................................................................23
2
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
Financial policies...............................................................................................................................................................23
Social polices.....................................................................................................................................................................23
Evidence of opposition in the empire..............................................................................................................................23
Evidence that the opposition was effective.....................................................................................................................23
Evidence that the opposition was NOT effective.............................................................................................................24
How imp was the opposition in France & the Empire to the fall of Nap?.......................................................................24
Assess the reasons for the downfall of Napoleon in 1814. [20]........................................................25
09.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................25
Nap’s over-confidence – main reason..............................................................................................................................25
Russian campaign.............................................................................................................................................................25
War of the 6th coalition.....................................................................................................................................................25
The 100 days war............................................................................................................................26
23.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................26
Proclamation of Marshal Augereau to his army, 16 Apr 1814.........................................................................................26
The 100 days war..............................................................................................................................................................26
Timeline of events............................................................................................................................................................26
The restoration.................................................................................................................................................................26
Evidence that Nap’s chances of success were low...........................................................................................................26
Evidence that Nap’s chances of success were high..........................................................................................................26
Reasons the 100 days war failed.....................................................................................................28
23.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................28
Opposition of Nap’s foreign enemies...............................................................................................................................28
Failure of key ppl in France to support Nap.....................................................................................................................28
Little belief in the new consti & memories of previous hardships...................................................................................28
Military failures (@ Waterloo)..........................................................................................................................................28
Nap’s mistakes..................................................................................................................................................................28
Assess the reasons for the failure of the Hundred Days. [20]...........................................................30
28.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................30
Reasons for Napoleon’s military failures in 1813-15 [10].................................................................31
30.03.2023..................................................................................................................................................31
Question...........................................................................................................................................................................31
Numerical superiority of his enemies...............................................................................................................................31
Domestic problems in France...........................................................................................................................................31
Thesis................................................................................................................................................................................31
Social polices.....................................................................................................................................................................32
Evidence of opposition in the empire..............................................................................................................................32
Evidence that the opposition was effective.....................................................................................................................32
Reasons for Napoleon’s military failures in 1813-15 [10] – redo......................................................33
14.04.2023..................................................................................................................................................33
Question...........................................................................................................................................................................33
3
, 4. THE FALL OF NAPOLEON
KEY EVENTS IN THE DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON
18.02.2023
Oct 1805: Battle of Trafalgar Naval battle won by GB against allied French & Spanish forces.
Demonstrated GB naval supremacy.
France was unable to win any naval battles against GB after
this.
May 1808: Dos de Mayo Uprising Led to the invasion of Spain & the beginning of the Peninsular
War
Jun 1812: Russian Campaign Napoleon’s largest campaign, a v costly failure.
Meanwhile, GB & USA go to war (ends Feb 1815)
1813: BATTLE OF LEIPZIG A decisive battle that showed that the allied forces had learned
from their previous defeats.
Marked the start of Nap’s retreat from Germany.
Mar 1814: Treaty of Chaumont Formal alliance between Austria, GB, Prussia, & Russia.
Apr 1814: Battle of Paris French surrendered after the defeat in Paris.
Nap abdicated & was replaced by Alexander XVIII.
Nap was exiled to Elba after a mutiny by his senior officers.
Jun 1815: Battle of Waterloo After Nap invade Belgium in an attempt to incr support, GB &
Prussian forces led by Wellington defeated French forces in
Waterloo.
Led to the exile of Nap to St Helena.
4
