Napoleon’s 3 Costly MistakesNapoleon’s 3 Costly Mistakes

1) 1) The Continental SystemThe Continental System

ordered a ordered a blockadeblockade (forced all ports (forced all ports to close) to stop trade between to close) to stop trade between Britain and EuropeBritain and Europe

goal to isolate Britaingoal to isolate Britain weakened trade, but didn’t destroy it weakened trade, but didn’t destroy it

(smuggling)(smuggling) Britain blockaded all neutral shipsBritain blockaded all neutral ships hurt Napoleon’s empire more than his hurt Napoleon’s empire more than his

enemiesenemies

1) 1) The Continental SystemThe Continental System

2)2) The Peninsular War The Peninsular War

Went through Spain to invade Went through Spain to invade PortugalPortugal

Spanish rioted, so he deposed (kicked Spanish rioted, so he deposed (kicked out) the Spanish king and replaced out) the Spanish king and replaced him with his brother, Josephhim with his brother, Joseph

GuerillasGuerillas (Spanish peasant fighters) (Spanish peasant fighters) ambushed Napoleon’s troops, which ambushed Napoleon’s troops, which weakened Franceweakened France

Spanish proved importance of Spanish proved importance of nationalismnationalism

2)2) The Peninsular War The Peninsular War

3) 3) Invasion of RussiaInvasion of Russia French ally, Russia, sold grain to French ally, Russia, sold grain to

Britain (French enemy), so Napoleon Britain (French enemy), so Napoleon invadedinvaded

most French troops were drafted, and most French troops were drafted, and felt little loyaltyfelt little loyalty

Russians used a Russians used a scorched-earth policyscorched-earth policy (burned fields and slaughtered (burned fields and slaughtered livestock to starve soldiers into livestock to starve soldiers into surrendering)surrendering)

Attacks and cold weather nearly Attacks and cold weather nearly wiped out the French armywiped out the French army

3) 3) Invasion of RussiaInvasion of Russia

NAPOLEON’S FINAL DEFEATNAPOLEON’S FINAL DEFEAT After attempting to make a After attempting to make a

comeback (Hundred Days) and comeback (Hundred Days) and re-conquer France, Napoleon’s re-conquer France, Napoleon’s army was defeated by the British army was defeated by the British and Prussians at and Prussians at WaterlooWaterloo (in (in Belgium, 1815)Belgium, 1815)