Napoleon’s 3 Costly Mistakes
1) The Continental System
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ordered a blockade (forced all ports
to close) to stop trade between
Britain and Europe
goal to isolate Britain
weakened trade, but didn’t destroy it
(smuggling)
Britain blockaded all neutral ships
hurt Napoleon’s empire more than his
enemies
1) The Continental System
2) The Peninsular War
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Went through Spain to invade
Portugal
Spanish rioted, so he deposed (kicked
out) the Spanish king and replaced
him with his brother, Joseph
Guerillas (Spanish peasant fighters)
ambushed Napoleon’s troops, which
weakened France
Spanish proved importance of
nationalism
2) The Peninsular War
3) Invasion of Russia
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French ally, Russia, sold grain to
Britain (French enemy), so Napoleon
invaded
most French troops were drafted, and
felt little loyalty
Russians used a scorched-earth policy
(burned fields and slaughtered
livestock to starve soldiers into
surrendering)
Attacks and cold weather nearly
wiped out the French army
3) Invasion of Russia
NAPOLEON’S FINAL DEFEAT
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After attempting to make a
comeback (Hundred Days) and
re-conquer France, Napoleon’s
army was defeated by the British
and Prussians at Waterloo (in
Belgium, 1815)