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Napoleonic Wars: Downfall 1809 - 14

Epic History・103 minutes read

Napoleon faced a challenging conflict in Spain and Portugal, engaging in battles, sieges, and strategic maneuvers against Spanish, Portuguese, and British forces, ultimately leading to significant French losses and retreats. Despite initial victories and successes for Napoleon's forces, the war in Spain became a costly and challenging campaign, ending with a victorious alliance against French control in the region.

Insights

  • Napoleon's invasion of Spain faced significant challenges due to ongoing conflicts in the region, with British forces led by Sir Arthur Wellesley playing a crucial role in supporting Portuguese troops.
  • The guerrilla warfare in Spain, spearheaded by figures like El Empecinado and Espoz y Mina, inflicted heavy losses on French soldiers, contributing significantly to the high casualty count of 260,000 French troops in the region.
  • Wellington's strategic defense at the Lines of Torres Vedras prevented Masséna's French forces from advancing, showcasing the effectiveness of British military tactics in the Peninsular War.
  • Despite facing logistical challenges and harsh conditions during the retreat from Russia, Napoleon's army managed to regroup and engage in intense combat at the Battle of Leipzig against a powerful coalition of enemies.
  • The Peninsular War concluded with a victory for the allies, breaking French military power in Iberia and marking the end of a long and bloody conflict that revealed the extensive losses suffered by French forces in the region.

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Recent questions

  • What was the outcome of the Battle of Vitoria?

    The Battle of Vitoria saw Wellington's army outflanking and defeating the French, leading to a general retreat and cutting off the French escape route. The allies achieved a victory at Vitoria, capturing French guns and key figures, breaking French military power in Iberia.

  • How did the Peninsular War conclude?

    The Peninsular War concluded victoriously for the allies after a long and bloody struggle. New research revealed the extensive French losses in Iberia, with an estimated 260,000 lives lost, mostly due to sickness.

  • What marked a critical moment for Napoleon in October 1813?

    The Battle of Leipzig in October 1813 marked a critical moment for Napoleon as he faced a powerful coalition of enemies converging on him. Napoleon's forces, though outnumbered, engaged in intense combat at Leipzig, with cavalry charges and fierce fighting in villages like Wachau and Markkleeberg.

  • How did the Battle of Leipzig unfold?

    The Battle of Leipzig saw Napoleon's forces engaging in intense combat, with cavalry charges and fierce fighting in villages like Wachau and Markkleeberg. Despite fierce defense by French marines and Prussian hussars, the French faced heavy casualties, prompting Napoleon to propose an armistice that was declined by the allies.

  • What led to Napoleon's abdication in April 1814?

    Facing defeat as the Allies attacked Paris, Napoleon rushed back to defend the city, ultimately abdicating on April 6th in favor of his son. The formalized abdication through the Treaty of Fontainebleau allowed Napoleon to keep the title of Emperor, ruling Elba with a small bodyguard, while the Napoleonic Wars came to an end with millions of lives lost.

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Summary

00:00

Napoleon's Spain Campaign: Victory, Defeat, and Losses

  • In 1809, Napoleon Bonaparte was victorious against Austria at Wagram but faced ongoing conflict in Spain and Portugal due to his invasion the previous year.
  • Marshal Lannes led a brutal siege at Zaragoza, resulting in significant casualties for both Spanish and French forces.
  • Sir Arthur Wellesley arrived in Portugal with a small Anglo-Portuguese army, aiming to support the Portuguese troops effectively.
  • Wellesley's forces defeated Marshal Soult's Second Corps, leading to a retreat back into Spain.
  • Wellesley planned a joint campaign with General Cuesta, despite tensions between British and Spanish forces.
  • The Battle of Talavera showcased the effectiveness of British infantry under Wellesley's command.
  • Despite initial victories, Spanish armies faced significant defeats at Ocaña and Alba de Tormes.
  • Wellington's strategic defense at the Lines of Torres Vedras prevented Masséna's French forces from advancing.
  • The guerrilla war in Spain, led by figures like El Empecinado and Espoz y Mina, inflicted heavy losses on French troops.
  • The war in Spain ultimately cost the lives of 260,000 French soldiers, with disease being the primary cause of death.

19:18

Napoleon's Strategic Dilemma: Spain's Resistance and Defeat

  • Napoleon faced a strategic dilemma in Spain: dispersing his armies to fight guerrillas risked Wellington's attack, while concentrating his forces risked losing territory to the guerrillas.
  • The war in Spain was termed 'Napoleon's Vietnam' due to its high casualties and little hope of victory.
  • By 1812, Napoleon had a quarter of a million troops in Spain, facing resistance from Spanish guerrillas, field armies, and Wellington's Anglo-Portuguese army.
  • Marshal Suchet stood out among French generals in Spain for his disciplined behavior and success in establishing control in Aragon.
  • Suchet's victories included taking Tarragona and Valencia, dealing significant blows to the Spanish cause.
  • French forces in Spain were overstretched due to troops being sent to Russia, leaving them vulnerable to Wellington's offensive.
  • Wellington's strategic moves included capturing Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, securing key routes between Spain and Portugal.
  • Wellington's advance into Spain was supported by Spanish forces, guerrillas, and naval raids on French coastal targets.
  • Wellington decisively defeated Marmont's army at Salamanca, leading to the liberation of Madrid and further French retreats.
  • Despite a forced retreat due to supply issues, Wellington's campaign in Spain significantly weakened French control and set the stage for further victories.

38:39

Napoleon's Coalition Army Faces Russian Challenges

  • Troops from various German Kingdoms, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, and Portugal, along with Prussian and Austrian units, joined Napoleon's army.
  • The army was divided into three forces led by Napoleon, his stepson Eugène, and his brother Jérôme.
  • Marshal Macdonald led the Tenth Corps on the left flank, while General Schwarzenberg guarded the right flank.
  • 100,000 troops were in reserve, including Marshal Victor’s Ninth Corps.
  • The Russian forces, initially 220,000 strong, were organized into three armies under different commanders.
  • Sweden, ruled by Napoleon's ex-marshal Bernadotte, promised neutrality to Russia after Napoleon occupied Swedish Pomerania.
  • A peace treaty with the Ottoman Empire secured Russia's southern flank, freeing up troops to face Napoleon.
  • French troops began crossing the Niemen River into Russian territory on June 24, 1812.
  • Napoleon's plan to defeat the Russian forces quickly faced challenges due to logistical issues and the vast size of his army.
  • The Battle of Smolensk saw heavy casualties on both sides, with the city being destroyed, but no decisive outcome.

56:50

Battle of Borodino: French Victory, High Casualties

  • Capture cost an estimated 4,000 casualties for the French and around 6,000 for the Russians
  • Napoleon noted the few prisoners taken, indicating the enemy's strong resolve
  • Marshal Davout suggested a wide outflanking attack to the south, but Napoleon opted for a frontal assault
  • Battle began with Orthodox priests parading a holy icon before the Russian army
  • French batteries initiated a cannonade against Russian defenses at 6 am
  • Eugène's Fourth Corps advanced on Borodino village, facing resistance from Russian Jaegers
  • Davout's First Corps advanced against the Flèches, encountering heavy fire
  • Polish Fifth Corps struggled to take Utitsa, allowing Russian reinforcements to bolster defenses
  • General Bagration was mortally wounded, leading to Russian infantry falling back
  • Napoleon refused to commit the Imperial Guard, despite urging from his staff and the exhausted state of both armies

01:16:23

Napoleon's Retreat: Harsh Conditions, Desperate Escape

  • Napoleon decided to retreat along the Smolensk road after a victory reminiscent of Borodino, conferring with his marshals.
  • The French army faced harsh conditions, with freezing temperatures leading to mass deaths of overworked, starving horses.
  • Discipline began to break down as soldiers abandoned the sick and wounded, seeking survival by scavenging for supplies.
  • General Miloradovich attacked Davout’s rearguard outside Vyazma, leading to a battle ending in street-fighting in Vyazma.
  • Soldiers faced alarming conditions, with many freezing to death due to lack of proper winter clothing and shelter.
  • Napoleon’s army faced multiple Russian armies closing in, outnumbering them nearly 3-to-1 from different directions.
  • Minsk, a crucial French supply base, fell to the Russians, forcing Napoleon to continue the retreat.
  • Napoleon’s army faced a critical moment at the Berezina River, with engineers building pontoon bridges for a desperate escape.
  • The army crossed the Berezina River under heavy attack, with many casualties and a significant loss of life.
  • The Grande Armée’s retreat continued to Vilna, with the surviving soldiers facing extreme weather conditions and constant attacks.

01:36:27

Napoleon's Struggle Against European Allies

  • Alexander aimed to defeat Napoleon and free Europe by taking Paris, with allies deserting Napoleon.
  • Napoleon left Marshal Murat in charge and went to Naples to secure his throne, replaced by Eugène.
  • Russian forces advanced through Poland as Eugène faced odds of four-to-one.
  • Russian troops entered Warsaw unopposed, leading to the end of the Duchy of Warsaw.
  • Sweden, ruled by Bernadotte, joined the Allies against France with 30,000 troops.
  • Prussia declared war on France with 80,000 men, reformed its army, and issued a proclamation.
  • Napoleon built a new army with conscripts, veterans, and National Guard troops.
  • Napoleon faced Allied forces in Germany, lacking cavalry and experienced officers.
  • Napoleon engaged in battles at Lützen and Bautzen, facing determined Allies.
  • Austria proposed a ceasefire, which Napoleon accepted, leading to intense diplomacy.

01:56:07

Wellington's Victory at Vitoria over French

  • Macdonald lost 30,000 men, 3 eagles, and 100 guns in a battle against Blücher, who had 22,000 casualties.
  • Vandamme's corps was trapped in wooded valleys around Kulm, with Vandamme and 10,000 men taken prisoner by Cossacks.
  • Ney replaced Oudinot and engaged Bulow's Prussian corps at Dennewitz, leading to a retreat and loss of 22,000 men.
  • Napoleon faced a third of a million Allied troops converging on him in Germany, while Wellington crossed the Bidasoa River into France.
  • Wellington's army, strengthened and well-equipped, was poised to strike against the weakened French forces in Spain.
  • Wellington's plan involved advancing in two wings, concentrating at Toro, and coordinating with Murray's diversionary landing on the Mediterranean coast.
  • Wellington received support from Spanish regular forces and guerrillas, liberating areas and tying down French troops.
  • Wellington's successful advance in Spain forced Joseph to retreat, utilizing small roads and mountain tracks to outmaneuver the French.
  • Wellington's army crossed the Zadorra River, engaging in a decisive battle against Joseph's forces, with precise timing and coordination.
  • The battle at Vitoria saw Wellington's army outflanking and defeating the French, leading to a general retreat and cutting off the French escape route.

02:14:36

French Defeat in Iberia and Leipzig

  • The army's convoy of wagons caused pandemonium in Vitoria as they tried to move through the congested streets and fields.
  • General Reille's Army of Portugal formed a rearguard for an organized withdrawal, covered by cavalry.
  • Graham's column hesitated to cut off the French army's retreat, leading to chaos in the French retreat east of Vitoria.
  • Plundering ensued among abandoned wagons, with troops from both sides engaging in looting.
  • Wellington was angered by the plundering, which delayed pursuit of the enemy and resulted in the loss of significant funds.
  • The allies achieved a victory at Vitoria, capturing French guns and key figures, breaking French military power in Iberia.
  • The Peninsular War concluded victoriously for the allies after a long and bloody struggle.
  • New research revealed the extensive French losses in Iberia, with an estimated 260,000 lives lost, mostly due to sickness.
  • The Battle of Leipzig in October 1813 marked a critical moment for Napoleon as he faced a powerful coalition of enemies converging on him.
  • Napoleon's forces, though outnumbered, engaged in intense combat at Leipzig, with cavalry charges and fierce fighting in villages like Wachau and Markkleeberg.

02:34:04

Battle of Leipzig: French Retreat and Coalition Victory

  • Russian and Prussian Guard regiments reinforced the village, forcing the French to retreat.
  • Around 4pm, the Austrian Reserve Corps arrived and renewed the assault on Markkleeberg, securing it.
  • Napoleon lacked reserves to achieve a decisive outcome in the south by 5pm.
  • Möckern was fiercely defended by French marines with close-range artillery support.
  • Yorck’s Prussian corps persisted in attacking despite heavy losses.
  • A charge by Prussian hussars led to a French rout, resulting in the fall of Möckern.
  • The first day of battle caused an estimated 25,000 French and 30,000 Coalition casualties.
  • Napoleon proposed an armistice to Emperor Francis I, but the allies declined.
  • Reinforcements arrived for both sides, with Napoleon receiving 14,000 and the Coalition over 100,000.
  • Napoleon faced odds of nearly two to one, prompting plans for retreat.

02:54:20

Napoleon's Defeat and Treaty of Chaumont

  • Denmark, a French ally, was invaded by Bernadotte’s Swedish army, joining the Coalition.
  • French troops left the Netherlands, which regained independence after 20 years under French rule.
  • In Italy, Eugène faced Joachim Murat, King of Naples, marching north with 30,000 men.
  • Napoleon responded to the crisis by doubling property taxes, suspending state salaries, and calling up 300,000 new conscripts.
  • He released Pope Pius from house arrest and agreed to release Fernando, the Bourbon king of Spain.
  • Two Coalition armies crossed the Rhine into France: Blücher’s Army of Silesia and Schwarzenberg’s Army of Bohemia.
  • Napoleon faced odds of four-to-one with 70,000 men, mostly raw conscripts.
  • The battle for France took place east of Paris, mainly across Champagne, in snowy conditions.
  • Napoleon defeated Blücher’s Army of Silesia four times in six days, inflicting heavy casualties.
  • Negotiations between France and the Coalition led to the signing of the Treaty of Chaumont, with strict terms against France.

03:13:33

Talleyrand's Betrayal Leads to Napoleon's Abdication

  • Talleyrand, a French diplomat, turned against Napoleon in 1807, informing the Allies of Paris' weakening support for Napoleon and neglected defenses, prompting them to march on the city.
  • Napoleon, facing defeat, rushed back to Paris to defend it, evacuating his family and ministers, leaving his brother Joseph in charge of the city's defense.
  • The Allies, with 120,000 troops, attacked Paris on March 30th, leading to heavy fighting and the eventual surrender of the city by Marshal Marmont to prevent its destruction.
  • Napoleon, 15 miles away, learned of Paris' surrender and faced opposition from his ministers and marshals, ultimately abdicating on April 6th in favor of his son.
  • Napoleon's abdication was formalized by the Treaty of Fontainebleau, allowing him to keep the title of Emperor, ruling Elba with a small bodyguard, while the Napoleonic Wars came to an end with an estimated 2 to 3 million lives lost.
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