13.2.4

Military Success

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Napoleon’s Military Success

Napoleon is best known for his success as a military commander. He was a skilled commander, had an enormous army, and inspired loyalty and respect from his soldiers.

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Battle of Austerlitz

  • In 1805, Napoleon won a famous victory at the Battle of Austerlitz against France’s old rival, Austria.
  • Napoleon only had 67,000 troops against 86,000 Austrian and Russian troops.
  • However, it was a victory for Napoleon’s army, and his side suffered only a quarter the number of casualties of his opponents.
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Battle of Trafalgar

  • However, Napoleon did also face a military blow in 1805 when his attempt to invade Britain was thwarted in the Battle of Trafalgar.
  • Napoleon had been amassing a French and Spanish navy which he intended to use to defeat the British Royal Navy.
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Admiral Nelson

  • In October 1805 the British sent a fleet led by Admiral Nelson to the cape of Trafalgar off the coast of Spain, to fight the French and Spanish navy.
  • The British did not lose any ships and suffered less than 2000 casualties, whilst Napoleon’s fleet lost 22 ships and suffered nearly 6000 casualties.
  • Nelson was killed, but the British had ruined Napoleon’s plans for an invasion.
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The French Empire

  • Nonetheless, Napoleon’s army went on to defeat Prussia in 1806 and Russia in 1807, gaining more land and more power.
  • By 1809, Napoleon was Emperor of a huge French Empire which incorporated large parts of Europe.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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