Lexi Webster
The Napoleonic Wars saw France engage in a series of conflicts with various European powers from 1803 to 1815. During this time, Napoleon clashed with Austria on multiple occasions. Notably, Napoleon's French and allied forces defeated the Austrians in the Battle of Wagram in 1809, leading to the Treaty of Schönbrunn in the same year, which resulted in significant territorial losses for the Austrian monarchy. However, it is important to note that Napoleon never fully conquered and annexed Austria, as doing so would have been a challenging endeavour requiring a large amount of manpower and resulting in a protracted guerrilla war.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of Conquest | 1805, 1809 |
| Battles | Battle of Ulm, Battle of Austerlitz, Battle of Aspern-Essling, Battle of Wagram |
| Outcome | Napoleon defeated Austrian and Russian forces, Austria concluded peace with France |
| Treaty | Treaty of Pressburg, Treaty of Schönbrunn, Treaty of Vienna |
| Territory Acquired | Venice, Tirol, Salzburg |
| Territory Lost | Vienna, over three million subjects, about 20% of the kingdom's population |
| Indemnity | 85 million francs |
| Recognition | Napoleon's brother Joseph as the King of Spain |
| Exclusion | British trade excluded from Austrian dominions |
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What You'll Learn
Napoleon's invasion of Austria in 1805
In 1805, Napoleon invaded Austria as part of the Napoleonic Wars. The invasion was prompted by a miscalculation from Austrian foreign ministers, who believed that an alliance with Russia in 1804 would deter Napoleon from attacking. However, this encouraged him to invade, as he saw it as a threat. In the same year, Napoleon had gathered a force of 150,000 men in Boulogne, Northern France, with the intention of invading Great Britain. He was so confident in his success that he had commemorative medals struck to celebrate the conquest of the English. However, he turned his sights to the Rhine to deal with the new Austrian and Russian threats.
On September 25, 1805, 200,000 French troops began to cross the Rhine along a front of 160 miles. Karl Mack, the main commander of Austria's army, had gathered most of his forces at the fortress of Ulm in Swabia. Napoleon responded by swinging his forces southward, putting the French at the Austrian rear, while also launching cavalry attacks through the Black Forest. This forced Mack to surrender, and Napoleon advanced to Vienna, which he took in November 1805. He then moved into Moravia, where he met the remaining Austrian army and the oncoming Russians.
Napoleon defeated both the Austrians and Russians at the famous Battle of Austerlitz on December 2, 1805. The battle was one of Napoleon's greatest victories, with his 68,000 troops defeating almost 90,000 Russians and Austrians. The battle ended with a decisive victory for Napoleon's French and allied army, forcing Austria to make peace with France and give up Venice to Napoleon's Italian kingdom, Tirol to Bavaria, and a number of other lands to Napoleon's clients. The Battle of Austerlitz brought the War of the Third Coalition to an end, with the Peace of Pressburg signed by the French and Austrians later that month.
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The Battle of Austerlitz
In the lead-up to the battle, Napoleon employed deception to lure the Allied forces into a false sense of security. He gave the impression that his army was weak and desired a negotiated peace, while secretly positioning his troops and preparing for battle. Napoleon's forces numbered around 68,000 to 75,000 men, while the Allied army, consisting of Russian and Austrian troops, had around 89,000 to 90,000 soldiers.
The battlefield was located about six miles southeast of the city of Brno, dominated by Santon Hill and Žuráň Hill to the north, overlooking the vital Olomouc-Brno road. The Allied troops were positioned in the valleys east of the Pratzen Heights, while Napoleon's army was spread out, with his right flank intentionally weakened to entice the enemy. The French right flank was tasked with holding its ground and attracting as many enemy troops as possible, while the left flank was ordered not to attack too forcefully to avoid provoking the Allies into sending reinforcements.
As the battle unfolded, the Allied troops attacked the French right flank as expected, but the young Tsar made a critical mistake by ordering the IV Corps to withdraw from the Pratzen Heights. Napoleon seized the opportunity and ordered his troops to ascend the Heights, taking advantage of the rising sun and a dense fog that soon dissipated. The French division's advance was concealed by the fog, but as they climbed the slope, the sun broke through, revealing their position and encouraging them forward. The battle resulted in a decisive victory for Napoleon, with the French army losing about 9,000 troops, while the Russians and Austrians suffered approximately 15,000 casualties and had about 11,000 troops captured.
The aftermath of the Battle of Austerlitz had significant political consequences. The defeat forced Austria to make peace with France and cede territories to France and Napoleon's German allies, including lands in Italy, Bavaria, and Germany. The victory also allowed Napoleon to create the Confederation of the Rhine, a collection of German states serving as a buffer zone between France and the eastern powers. The Holy Roman Empire was effectively dissolved, and the battle's outcome contributed to the exile of Napoleon to the island of Elba in 1814.
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The Treaty of Pressburg
In 1805, the Austrian army, alongside the Russians, went to war against Napoleon. However, the Austrian army was ill-equipped, poorly trained, and insufficiently manned. Napoleon, on the other hand, made a brilliant strategic move by marching his army quickly into Germany, taking Vienna in November 1805, and defeating the Austrians and Russians at the famous Battle of Austerlitz on December 2, 1805. Austria immediately sought peace, leading to the Treaty of Pressburg, also known as the Peace of Pressburg, which was signed on December 26, 1805.
Territorial Concessions:
The Austrian Empire ceded its recent acquisitions in Italy to France, including Venetia, Istria, and Dalmatia, which were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy, led by Napoleon. Austria also gave up territories in southern Germany, including the scattered Austrian holdings in Swabia, which were passed to French allies – the King of Württemberg and the Elector of Baden.
Other Concessions:
The Austrian Empire also renounced its claims on German states, recognized the independence of the Principality of Lucca and Piombino from the Holy Empire, and ceded Augsburg, previously an independent Free Imperial City, to Bavaria. Additionally, an indemnity of 40 million francs was to be paid to France, and the French gains from previous treaties, such as Campo Formio and Lunéville, were reiterated.
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The Battle of Wagram
In the six weeks following his defeat, Napoleon assembled a force of approximately 172,000 men, consisting of French, German, and Italian troops. Meanwhile, Archduke Charles worked to rebuild his army, which eventually numbered around 158,000. On the evening of July 4, Napoleon began crossing the Danube River with the bulk of his forces, intending to attack the Austrian positions. However, his initial attacks on the evening of July 5 were repulsed by the Austrians.
The next day, Napoleon launched his main attack in the north, targeting the Austrian line along the Russbach Brook. Simultaneously, he reinforced his southern flank, successfully repelling an Austrian attempt to cut him off from the Danube and envelop his southern flank. Napoleon's northern assault broke through the Austrian centre, splitting their forces. By the time Archduke John arrived with reinforcements in the late afternoon, the Austrian army was already in retreat, and John's forces were easily driven off.
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Napoleon's exile to Elba
In the year 1809, Napoleon I of France led an invasion of Austria, resulting in the decisive French victory at the Battle of Wagram in July. This battle was a significant turning point in the history of Europe and solidified Napoleon's dominance over central Europe. Following the battle, the defeated Austrian Empire was forced to sign the Treaty of Schönbrunn, which imposed heavy territorial losses and a substantial financial burden on the Habsburg monarchy.
Now, let's focus on the topic at hand: Napoleon's exile to Elba.
Napoleon's exile to the island of Elba lasted just over nine months, from May 1814 to February 1815, and was a result of the coalition forces' attempts to bring stability to Europe following the tumultuous period of the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon's abdication in April 1814, the victorious powers of the Sixth Coalition, including Austria, Britain, Prussia, and Russia, met at the Congress of Vienna to reshape the political landscape of Europe. During these negotiations, they had to decide what to do with the former Emperor. Some argued for his execution, while others suggested exile to a remote location. Eventually, they agreed on Elba, a small island off the coast of Tuscany, as his place of exile.
On May 3, 1814, Napoleon, now known as Emperor Napoleon I, left Fontainebleau and went into exile on Elba, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea. He was allowed to retain the title of Emperor and was given sovereignty over the island, along with a substantial allowance and a small military force. Napoleon's mother, Maria Letizia Bonaparte, joined him in exile, and together they established a small court on the island. During his brief rule on Elba, Napoleon introduced a new constitution, improved the island's infrastructure, and left a lasting impact on the local community. He was well-liked by the Elban people, who benefited from his reforms and appreciated his accessibility and concern for their welfare.
However, Napoleon's time on Elba was short-lived. He soon became aware of the growing discontent and anti-Bonapartist sentiment spreading across Europe, particularly in France, where King Louis XVIII had been restored to the throne. Napoleon also felt confined and unchallenged on Elba, longing for the glory and power he had once held. In February 1815, less than a year after his arrival, Napoleon escaped from Elba, landing in France and beginning the period known as the Hundred Days, which culminated in his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo and his subsequent exile to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent the remainder of his life.
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Frequently asked questions
Napoleon conquered Austria in 1805.
Napoleon's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz on December 2, 1805, led to the Treaty of Pressburg, which forced Austria to make peace with France and cede lands to Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden, which were Napoleon's German allies.
The Battle of Austerlitz was the first engagement of the War of the Third Coalition and one of Napoleon's most significant victories. His 68,000 troops defeated 90,000 Russians and Austrians under General M.I. Kutuzov.
Napoleon's victory at Austerlitz permitted the creation of the Confederation of the Rhine, a collection of German states intended as a buffer zone between France and the eastern powers, including Austria.
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