The Collapse of Napoleon’s Grand Empire Although Napoleon was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815, he conquered most of Europe. Napoleon is a hero with intelligence, courage, and charisma. He could put 700,000 men under arms at one time, and risk 100,000 troops in a single battle. He also gained the trust and loyalty from French soldiers and citizens. No single state could compare with France under Napoleon’s reign. However, nationalism and liberalism caused people from different states in Europe to fight against Napoleon; the “State System” stopped him from unifying Europe; British strong sea power was also a threat to Napoleon; and Napoleon made a mistake that he overextended himself, like how Louis XIV of France and Phillip II of Spain …show more content…
Even though Napoleon has conquered some other European states, people in those states could not bear paying tax to Napoleon and being under his reign. Nationalism and Liberalism encouraged people to fight for their own states against Napoleon, and they even were willing to sacrifice themselves with Nationalism and Liberalism. The German resistance to Napoleon as his army retreated from Moscow showed that people from different German states finally cooperated together because Nationalism was in their heart. Ernest Moritz Arndt, a German writer, described this enthusiasm back to that moment, “Among the Prussians, there was only one voice, one felling, one anger and one love, to save the Fatherland and to free Germany”. The Germans’ excitement, enthusiasm, Nationalism, and Liberalism assisted them to fight against Napoleon and win the battle. Also, the rigid European “State System” stopped Napoleon from his conquering. In the Peace of Westaphalia, the idea of “State System” firstly appeared: the …show more content…
Problems started in Spain with the Peninsular Campaign. Napoleon’s troops were finally defeated by Spain because firstly Spain adopted the guerilla warfare, and secondly Spain had the assistance from Britain which was led by Arthur Wellesley. Francisco Goya depicted Napoleon’s troops executing Spanish guerilla fighters who had rebelled against the French occupation. With Nationalism and Liberalism, those Spanish people were willing to sacrifice themselves for Spain’s freedom. They adopted the guerilla army, which means the goal of this army is not winning the battle but surviving from the battle. The Spanish citizens, who were also with great Nationalism in their heart, would be willing to let Spanish guerilla soldiers stay safely in their own houses. The reform program in Russia, which was led by Baran von Stein, Count von Hardenberg, von Schornhorst, and von Gneisenaue. These leaders actually were not from Prussia. However, Napoleon’s invasion to Germany spurred Nationalism in every German’s heart. Nationalism was the bond that connected them together to make German a great state and weaken Napoleon’s power. In the reform program, an army was especially built up and a large reserve force was created mainly to fight against France. In 1811, Czar Alexander I pulled Russia out of the Continental System and began to trade
When Otto von Bismarck was recalled from Paris to become Minister-President of Prussia in 1862, German nationalism was already more than 40 years old. First apparent in the opposition to Napoleon´s occupation of the German states, national feeling grew into a movement after 1815. This feeling was encouraged by a growth of interest in German literature and music and by increased economic cooperation between the north German states. By 1848 it was strong enough to make the creation of a united Germany one of the main demands of the revolutionaries. Otto von Bismarck was a Prussian patriot who inherited the traditions of love of king, army and country from his family.
France entered into the Napoleonic Wars as a result of the French Revolution and the European sovereigns’ opposition to the creation of the French republic out of the fear that such ideas of democracy may spread to neighboring nations and remove the monarchs from their thrones through revolutions. The actions of these nations only served to ironically lead to the spreading of French idealism across the continent during France’s peak of military prowess. By alienating and siding against France, France entered into war with the “Coalitions” of European Monarchies and under Napoleon’s rule, conquered their opposition and under their rule, learned of the French ideology of Demo...
It came about, partially due to Napoleon’s strained relationship with Alexander I. The conflict which had arisen can be considered akin to the “Spain’s war of liberation”, as it was also a demonstration of nationalism. However, the implications of this battle were quite different. As France’s uncharacteristic loss had, consequently, yielded to Napoleon losing both a huge sum of his soldiers and his reputation as the invincible ruler. In addition, the loss they suffered had drastically weakened France’s military. Unfortunately for Napoleon, his enemies had immediately seized upon the opportunity to retaliate against the defeated Napoleonic Empire. France’s exposed vulnerability had resulted in the influx of the patriotic sentiments that had been previously
Externally, changes in the international climate and political upheaval in Austria provided German nationalists with an avenue of opportunity to cease power. Internally, the growth of German nationalism and liberalism coupled with the acute financial and food crisis of 1847 created an atmosphere fit for revolutionary activity.
By 1890, Germany had been a nation state for almost 20 years. Liberal nationalism was dying from its own success, and a new brand of popular ideas on the German Volk and fatherland was emerging to represent the generation which had been born in the boundaries of a German state, and was now reaching adulthood. Necessarily, these ideas would adopt foundations of German cultural superiority and common identity which had been espoused at the start of the century, and this was encouraged by colonialism. This popular nationalism was encouraged by the more active climate of public debate and freer politics. They were also no doubt affected by the position of the army in German society and the interference of a government dominated by the military. The presence of minorities within the empire and growing anti-Semitism in Europe encourages racist views, and the growing political importance of the SPD stimulated fears of socialist threats to the nation. Above all, during this period, German nationalism became rooted in chauvinist masculine sentiments.
It is an indisputable fact that Napoleon Bonaparte greatly changed Europe. It is my position that he was a hero, and changed it for the better. Although I certainly do not agree with some of the methods that he brought about this change, I still agree with the change he wrought. Through him, the era of democracy was ushered in. He helped bring back a basic human right, being that all men are created equal. Nationalism was sparked, feudalism was overthrown, and Europe was modernized. Napoleon changed Europe, and it was a change for the good.
Spain, who was an ally of France, disobeyed Napoleon's decree. Then in 1808 Napoleon overthrew the Spanish royal family and made his brother Joseph king of Spain. However, everything that Napoleon did such as put in a foreign ruler, take away noble privileges offended Spanish pride and created nationalistic feelings. The people of Spain revolted in 1808. The French troops stopped the riots, but the nationalistic spirit was not lost. For the next five years, there was warfare in Spain. British troops came to aid Spain. This led to the defeat of Joseph, death of thousands of French troops and it inspired patriots and nationalists of other lands to resist Napoleon. This war between 1808 and 1813 is called The Peninsular War.
Nationalisms powerful and intense impact on individuals is demonstrated in Rudolf von Ihering’s Two Letters (1866). By offering individuals a group to be a part of became something which appeared to be boundless in its potential for prosperity and it gave individuals a sense of empowerment. Initially, Von Ihering had rigorously opposed Realpolitik’s policies which were employed by Otto von Bismarck, declaring that, “everyone [in Ger...
Prussia was well prepared for war, with three Prussian armies sweeping Bohemia, and the battle of Sadowa, Austria suffered defeat. Nationalism was viewed in so many different ways by so many different leaders and society. Many conflicts and wars had a long term impact on Nationalism, but some conflicts had a small impact on Nationalism. The Frankfurt Constitution was written and published and is a document of German History today. The article “On the Duties of Man”, by Giuseppe Mazzini and how the map of Europe was redrawn, which had a huge impact on Nationalism.
While not all of the political adjustments made in Europe by Napoleon had a lasting impact, in those regions directly absorbed into the French empire, the institutions imposed by Napoleon remained long after 1815, particularly the Napoleonic Code, which became the foundation for local law across Belgium, the Rhineland and Italy.
From the 1790s to 1814 French troops successively conquered and occupied the area that later constituted the German Empire. French domination helped to modernize and consolidate Germany and -- toward the end -- sparked the first upsurge of German nationalism. In different ways the French emperor Napoleon I helped German unification. It was important that he encouraged many of the middle-sized German states to absorb huge numbers of small independent territories, mostly bishoprics, church lands, and local principalities.
Winning a massive battle as a country will unite the people through their love for the country and its ways of life. The Napoleonic wars spread a huge sense of nationalism throughout France. It put the French Revolutionary legislation ideas throughout Western France. Throughout the French Revolution France showed the idea that the only way to bring a country together was through a true sense of nationalism was through
Napoleon Bonaparte as a leader was skilled and clever in combat but had considerable flaws when it came to maintaining France’s stability. France was set back politically and economically as a result of the war, seeing that Napoleon and his ambitions were not able to make peace with enemies. To further note, tensions arising from Napoleon’s conquests pit several parts of Europe against each other and eventually spilled out of Europe and led to additional conflicts. However, when analyzing the Napoleonic Era despite his flaws as a leader, created great reforms and substantially changed the course of human history. By influencing the rise of nationalism and unification, the Napoleonic Era prompted the transformation of city - states and introduced radical ideas. Though Napoleon’s ambitions sparked a significant amount of conflict in Europe, it is evident that the result of the Napoleonic Era created significant long - term reforms and was a pivotal period for Europe and the
They resisted the continental system ? the system Napoleon set up ? based on Roman government, because it was cutting off their supply?s as it was aimed as destroying the British economy. Conflict broke out and Portugal violated the blockade against the British trade and Spain revolted against Napoleon?s brother?s rule. These small revolts resulted in guerrilla warfare ? small bands of troops that attack in short bursts. Napoleons worst battle was in Russia and it led to his downfall. Napoleon amassed a huge army when Czar Alexander I refused to suppress British trade, and marched on Russia in 1812. Napoleon wanted to fight the Russians in one big battle but the Russians, seeing that they were vastly outnumbered, withdrew and went back to Russia to build a better army. As they went back to Russia the instituted a ?scorched earth policy?, meaning, that they burned everythi...
One of the key factors which led to the Unification was nationalism. Nationalism is the idea that certain things such as race, culture, religion, language or territory set them apart from those around them, and they could identify their interests with a group of people not just a local monarch. This idea created the belief that one’s loyalty was first to the ‘nation’ not the monarch. On 23 February 1848, there was a demonstration in Paris that resulted in the abdication of King Louis Philippe. Then on 13 March students in Vienna staged a rebellion which later that day forced Prince Metternich to resign as Austrian Foreign Minister. Prussian King, Frederick William IV, stood against reform and used troops to break up demonstrations. But on hearing of Metternich’s resignation he lost his nerve and called together a Diet, granting a constitution. When a crowd gathered at the Palace in Berlin the royal guard opened fire. The resulting revolution ended by November of that year as the people began to fear the consequences of prolonging it. The failure of this revolution, and the failure to achieve national unity, broke the link between liberalism and nationalism. In the end it was the nationalistic ideals of the German aristocracy, not the general populace that brought about the Unification of the German States in 1871.