Lexi Webster
The question of where Napoleon defeated Austria is best answered by examining the Napoleonic Wars, which began in 1792 and saw a series of conflicts between France and various coalitions of European powers. Napoleon's most significant victory over Austrian forces came at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, where his 68,000 troops defeated nearly 90,000 Russians and Austrians, forcing Austria to make peace with France. This victory was preceded by the successful Ulm campaign, where 23,000 Austrian troops surrendered, and followed by the occupation of Vienna. However, Napoleon also faced setbacks, such as the defeat at the Battle of Aspern-Essling in 1809, and was unable to force the British to make peace despite his dominance on the continent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2nd December 1805 |
| Location | Austerlitz, Moravia (now Slavkov u Brna, Czech Republic) |
| Outcome | French victory |
| Belligerents | First French Empire; Russian Empire and Austrian Empire |
| Commanders | Napoleon I; General M.I. Kutuzov |
| Strength | 68,000 French troops; 90,000 Russian and Austrian troops |
| Casualties and Losses | 9,000 French; 15,000 Russians and Austrians; 11,000 Russian and Austrian troops captured |
| Previous Battles | Battle of Trafalgar, Ulm Maneuver |
| Subsequent Battles | Battle of Aspern-Essling, Battle of Wagram |
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What You'll Learn
Battle of Austerlitz
The Battle of Austerlitz, which took place on December 2, 1805, was the first engagement of the War of the Third Coalition and one of Napoleon's greatest victories. Leading up to the battle, Britain had declared war on France and formed a continental coalition with Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Naples against France. Napoleon's 68,000 troops defeated almost 90,000 Russians and Austrians under General Mikhail Kutuzov, forcing Austria to make peace with France and keeping Prussia temporarily out of the anti-French alliance.
In the days before the battle, Napoleon gave the impression that his army was weak and desired a negotiated peace. About 53,000 French troops were assigned to take Austerlitz and the Olmütz road, making it seem like the French army was outnumbered by the Allies, who numbered about 89,000. However, Napoleon had backup troops within supporting distance, which would raise the French number to 75,000 troops. Napoleon also sent General Savary to the Allied headquarters to deliver a message expressing his desire to avoid battle while secretly examining the Allied forces. This was also seen as a sign of weakness, and the Allies fell into Napoleon's trap.
The battle took place about six miles southeast of the city of Brno, between that city and Austerlitz, in what is now the Czech Republic. The battlefield was dominated by two hills: the 700-foot Santon Hill and the 880-foot Žuráň Hill, both overlooking the vital Olomouc/Brno road. The centrepiece of the area was the Pratzen Heights, a gently sloping hill. Napoleon recognised the importance of this location and sent Louis Saint-Hilaire's division for the decisive attack. The French army had about 9,000 casualties, while the Russian and Austrian allied forces had about 15,000 casualties, with an additional 11,000 troops captured.
The victory at 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. However, it did not establish a lasting peace on the continent, as Russia and Britain, who protected Sicily from a French invasion, were not driven to settle. The military victory at Austerlitz is often cited by military historians as one of Napoleon's tactical masterpieces, showcasing his strategic abilities and the effectiveness of his troops.
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Treaty of Pressburg
The Treaty of Pressburg, also known as the Peace of Pressburg, was signed on December 26, 1805, in Pressburg (now Bratislava, Slovakia). It was an agreement between Napoleon I of France and Holy Roman Emperor Francis II (also emperor of Austria) after Napoleon's victories at Ulm and Austerlitz. The treaty imposed harsh terms on Austria and marked the end of the Holy Roman Empire.
Austria ceded Venetia, Istria, and Dalmatia to Napoleon's Kingdom of Italy, which he had become king of earlier that year. Austria also recognised the elevation of the electors of Bavaria and Württemberg to the rank of kings and ceded Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and Augsburg to Bavaria. The Habsburg lands in Swabia were yielded to Württemberg and Baden. The treaty also included the ceding of other western lands of the Habsburg monarchy to Württemberg and Baden.
Austria was allowed to annex Salzburg as compensation, and France acquired Piedmont, Parma, and Piacenza. An indemnity of 40 million francs to France was also provided for in the treaty. The treaty was an integral part of Napoleon's policy of creating a ring of French client states beyond the Rhine, the Alps, and the Pyrenees. It completely excluded Austria from influence in Italy.
Within months of the signing of the treaty, Francis II renounced his title as Holy Roman Emperor after Napoleon created the Confederation of the Rhine. Some remaining territorial issues, including the effective establishment of the new border along the Isonzo River, were finally resolved by the Treaty of Fontainebleau in 1807.
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Ulm Maneuver
The Ulm Campaign, also known as the Ulm Maneuver, was a series of French and Bavarian military maneuvers and battles that took place in 1805 during the War of the Third Coalition. The campaign was designed to outflank and capture an Austrian army led by Feldmarschall-Leutnant Karl Freiherr Mack von Leiberich in the vicinity of and inside the Swabian city of Ulm. The French Grande Armée, commanded by Emperor Napoleon, consisted of 210,000 troops organized into seven corps. Napoleon's objective was to defeat the Austrian army before Russian reinforcements could arrive.
The campaign began in September 1805 when the Austrian army, under the nominal command of General der Kavallerie Archduke Ferdinand Karl Joseph of Austria-Este, crossed the frontier into the Electorate of Bavaria without a declaration of war. The Austrians expected the Bavarians to join their forces and compel them to join the Third Coalition against France. However, the Elector of Bavaria, Maximilian Joseph, had secretly allied with France and ordered his troops to fall back and await the arrival of the French army.
Napoleon, determined to prevent his enemies from uniting, swiftly moved his army of 200,000 troops to confront General Mack's force. Using Marshal Murat's cavalry and the natural terrain to conceal his army's movements, Napoleon skillfully maneuvered his troops around Mack's position without being detected by the Austrians. By the time the Austrians realized they were surrounded, it was too late.
Napoleon's rapid marching allowed him to execute a large wheeling maneuver, capturing the Austrian army of 60,000 troops on October 20, 1805, at Ulm. The French army concentrated at Ulm, greatly outnumbering the Austrians. Napoleon demanded the surrender of Ulm, and General Mack, realizing the hopelessness of his situation, eventually capitulated. On October 20, 1805, Mack surrendered with 23,000 to 25,000 men, 18 generals, 65 guns, and 40 standards. The Ulm Campaign is considered a strategic masterpiece and a significant victory for Napoleon, showcasing his tactical prowess.
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Defeat at Trafalgar
The defeat of the Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805 was a significant event in the Napoleonic Wars. While Napoleon had assembled an invasion force of around 150,000 men at Boulogne in Northern France, he knew that to invade England, he needed control of the sea. Thus, he needed the help of the Spanish fleet, which was pursued by British Admiral Horatio Nelson. The French and Spanish fleets attempted to run the blockade and reach Toulon, but they were attacked by Nelson off Cape Trafalgar. This defeat at Trafalgar soured the spectacular victory of the French over the Austrians at Ulm the previous day, where 23,000 Austrian troops surrendered.
The Battle of Trafalgar was a major naval engagement fought between the British Royal Navy, commanded by Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, and the combined fleets of France and Spain, led by French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve. The battle took place off the southern coast of Spain, near Cape Trafalgar, and was a decisive victory for the British. The British fleet, outnumbered by the Franco-Spanish forces, employed a unique tactic known as "breaking the line," which involved sailing perpendicular to the enemy line, allowing them to focus their firepower on individual ships. This tactic caught the Franco-Spanish fleet by surprise and led to their defeat.
The defeat at Trafalgar had significant consequences for Napoleon's plans to invade England. With the loss of the Franco-Spanish fleet, Napoleon was unable to secure control of the sea, which was crucial for a successful invasion. The British dominance at sea forced Napoleon to abandon his invasion plans and focus on other strategies, such as his campaigns in Central Europe. The defeat also had a psychological impact, shaking the confidence of Napoleon and his forces, who had previously believed their fleets to be superior.
The Battle of Trafalgar is often remembered for the death of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson, who was fatally wounded during the battle. Nelson's death shocked Britain and solidified his legacy as one of the country's greatest military heroes. The battle also marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars, as it demonstrated the superiority of the British Navy and forced Napoleon to reconsider his strategies. Overall, the defeat at Trafalgar played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the Napoleonic Wars and the broader history of Europe.
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War of Liberation
The War of Liberation, also known as the Napoleonic Wars, was a series of conflicts between Napoleon's French Empire and the allied forces of various European powers, including Austria, Russia, Britain, Sweden, and Naples. The war lasted from 1803 to 1814 and culminated in Napoleon's defeat and exile to the island of Elba.
In the early years of the war, Napoleon scored several significant victories, including the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, where his 68,000 troops defeated nearly 90,000 Russians and Austrians, forcing Austria to make peace with France. This victory brought an end to the War of the Third Coalition, which included Britain, Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Naples. However, it did not establish a lasting peace on the continent.
Despite these early successes, Napoleon faced increasing challenges as the war progressed. The Austrian Empire, led by Archduke Charles, invaded the Kingdom of Bavaria, a French ally, in 1809. Although Napoleon initially suffered defeats at Aspern and Essling, he soon regained the offensive and occupied Vienna. The Battle of Wagram, which took place in July 1809, resulted in a decisive victory for Napoleon, with 74,000 casualties on both sides. This defeat shattered Austrian morale, and the resulting Treaty of Schönbrunn led to significant losses of territory for the Austrian Empire.
During this period, Austria played a pivotal role in the War of Liberation, providing the largest number of troops to the allied forces and their commander, Karl Philipp, Fürst zu Schwarzenberg. However, Metternich, the Austrian chancellor, never sought to utterly vanquish Napoleon due to his distrust of Russian ambitions. Nonetheless, Austria participated in Napoleon's eventual defeat and exile, and in 1814, the quarter-century-long war was concluded at the Congress of Vienna under Metternich's chairmanship.
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Frequently asked questions
Napoleon defeated Austrian forces in Austerlitz, Moravia (now Slavkov u Brna in the Czech Republic), and Vienna.
Napoleon occupied Vienna in May 1809.
Yes, Napoleon suffered his first defeat on the field of battle against the Austrians on May 21-22, 1809, at Aspern, across the Danube from Vienna.
Napoleon's victories forced Austria to make peace with France and sign the Treaty of Pressburg. However, the Austrians still posed a formidable threat, and the Peace did not last.
