2. Introduction
• Napoleon was born in 1769
• Napoleonic wars started after the
French Revolution
• Ended with the Battle of Waterloo
3. Coalition Wars
First Coalition (1792–1797):
Spain, Holand, Austria, Prussia, England and Sardinia were in this coalition against Revolutionary France. The coalition
collapsed with General Napoleon Bonaparte’s success in Italy that led to the Treaty of Campo Formio. The most
important battle was probably the Battle of Lodi (May 10, 1796).
Second Coalition (1798–1802):
Britain, Austria, and Russia, which were unhappy with French expansion into Italy, Switzerland and Middle East, were
the main culprits here. Napoleon was in Egypt for part of this time, winning the Battle of the Pyramids and he returned
back in 1799 and took control of France as First Consul. His campaign in Italy, mostly against the Austrians, was
highlighted by the Battle of Marengo (June 14, 1800).
Third Coalition (1805):
Fearful of an expanding France, Britain, Austria, and Russia formed the Third Coalition. Great Britain achieved naval
victories but Austria and Russia were soundly beaten at the Battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805). The ensuing treaty
ended hostilities for only a short time. Treaty of Pressburg ended this coalition on December 6.
4. Napoleonic Wars
Battle of Trafalgar:
This naval Battle between British Navy and the Fleets of French & Spanish, took
place on Oct 21, 1805 at Cape Trafalgar.
British Royal Navy was led by Horatio Nelson that lead to British victory.
Battle of Austerlitz:
Battle of three emperors on Dec 2, 1805.
Austria made peace through the Treaty of Pressburg at the end of December 1805.
Napoleon's finest victory made combined Austro-Russian army driven from the
field.
This battle brought Third War of Coalition to End with a “Treaty of Tilsit”
Victory at Austerlitz also permitted the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine.
5. Peninsula War
(1808-1814)
Napoleon established ‘Continental system’ to destroy British Economy.
He Invaded Portugal when it refused to comply with Continental system.
French occupied Spain and deposed Bourbon dynasty and installed his brother as a king.
Spanish rose in revolt throughout the country.
The Spanish uprising are encouraged by Britain and send an expeditionary force to Peninsula.
Spanish and Portuguese irregulars and small Guerilla attacks, helped drive the French from
the Iberian Peninsula.
Allied victory against French.
Napoleon created a new enemy by usurping the Spanish throne in favor of his brother.
6. Battle of Leipzig(1813)
Russia betrayed Napoleon, and the resulting hostilities led to
Napoleon’s invasion of Russia and his Grand Army defeated in
Russian. Napoleon allies became members of the Sixth Coalition.
The high point of allied strategy was the Battle of Leipzig in
October 1813.
The battle was fought at Leipzig, in Saxony, between
approximately 185,000 French and other troops and
approximately 320,000 troops of Allies.
Decisive defeat for Napoleon, resulting in destruction of France
power in Germany and Poland.
Allies Forces invaded France from Germany.
In 1814 he was exiled from France to Island of Elba
7. Battle of Waterloo (1815)
When Napoleon returned to power, plenty of states had opposed and made seventh coalition. The British,
Russians, Prussians and Austrians prepared for war against Napoleon.
Napoleon planned to invade France decided to attack to destroy the British and Prussian forces in the
north and then deal with the Russians and Austrians in the east. He invaded Belgium on June 15 and
defeated the Prussian Army.
But he was decisively defeated by the combined forces of the Seventh Coalition under the command of
Duke of Wellington and Blucher in the Battle of Waterloo on June 18.
When realizing that Napoleon cannot repulse the inevitable invasion of France, he signed his second and
final abdication. Then he was sent into exile to the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic
Ocean where he died in 1821 at age of 51.
