"The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of conflicts fought between the First French Empire under Napoleon (1804–1815), and a fluctuating array of European coalitions."
A look at the political, economic, and social landscape of Europe during the Napoleonic era, including the impact of Napoleon on different European powers.
Napoleonic Wars: A series of conflicts fought between Napoleon Bonaparte's French Empire and various European powers.
Congress of Vienna: A series of meetings that took place in 1814-1815 to re-establish order and balance of power in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon's rise to power: Covers his early life, military successes, and coronation as Emperor of France.
Continental System: A blockade imposed by Napoleon on Britain that aimed to destroy its trade and weaken its economy.
French Revolution: A period of radical social and political upheaval in France that directly preceded the Napoleonic Era.
Peninsular War: A conflict fought by the French and their Spanish and Portuguese allies against the Spanish and Portuguese armies and guerrilla movements from 1807 to 1814.
Battle of Waterloo: The final battle of the Napoleonic Wars, fought in present-day Belgium that ended in Napoleon's defeat and exile to Saint Helena.
Grand Army: Napoleon's main army that he led during his campaigns in Europe.
Hundred Days: The period between Napoleon's return from exile in Elba and his final defeat at Waterloo.
Romanticism: A cultural and artistic movement that emerged in Europe during the Napoleonic Era that emphasized emotion, individualism, and nature.
Absolute Monarchies: European states that were ruled by an absolute monarch who had complete control over government and the country. Examples include Russia under Tsar Alexander I and Prussia under King Frederick William III.
Constitutional Monarchies: Countries that had a monarch whose power was limited by a constitution or parliamentary system. Examples include Great Britain under King George III and Spain under King Charles IV.
Republics: Countries with a government elected by the people, without a monarch. Examples include France under Napoleon Bonaparte and Switzerland under its constitution.
Client States: Countries that were officially independent but were heavily dependent on, or controlled by, another power. Examples include the Kingdom of Italy under Napoleon and the Netherlands under Louis Bonaparte.
Puppet States: Countries that were directly controlled by another power, with little or no autonomy. Examples include the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, under the control of the French Empire, and Albania, which was briefly under the control of Napoleon's brother-in-law, Marshal Joachim Murat.
Federal States: Countries with a central government and regional governments that had some degree of autonomy. Examples include Austria under the Habsburg Monarchy and Germany under the Holy Roman Empire.
City-States: Independent states ruled by a city or town, often with a small territory. Examples include Venice and Genoa in Italy and Hamburg in Germany.
Personal Unions: Countries that were ruled by the same person, but were otherwise independent. Examples include Denmark and Norway under King Frederick VI and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland under King George III.
Occupied Territories: Countries that were invaded and occupied by foreign powers. Examples include Spain under French occupation and Poland under Russian occupation.
Colonial Territories: European powers had significant overseas colonial empires, including the British Empire, the French Empire, and the Spanish Empire. These colonies were largely administered by European officials and often exploited for resources.
"The wars originated in political forces arising from the French Revolution (1789–1799) and from the French Revolutionary Wars (1792–1802)."
"Upon realizing the Coup of 18 Brumaire, whereby he became the First Consul of France in 1799, Napoleon assumed control of the politically chaotic French First Republic."
"Britain went to war in 1803 out of a 'mixture of economic motives and national neuroses—an irrational anxiety about Napoleon's motives and intentions.'"
"The British fleet under Admiral Nelson decisively crushed the joint Franco-Spanish navy in the Battle of Trafalgar in October 1805."
"Napoleon defeated the allied Russo-Austrian army at Austerlitz, effectively ending the Third Coalition and forcing Austria to make peace."
"Concerned about increasing French power, Prussia led the creation of the Fourth Coalition with Russia, Saxony, and Sweden, which resumed war in October 1806. Napoleon soon defeated the Prussians at Jena-Auerstedt and the Russians at Friedland."
"After occupying Lisbon in November 1807, and with the bulk of French troops present in Spain, Napoleon seized the opportunity to turn against his former ally, depose the reigning Spanish royal family and declare his brother King of Spain in 1808 as José I."
"The Spanish and Portuguese revolted with British support and expelled the French from Iberia in 1814 after six years of fighting."
"Russia routinely violated the Continental System, prompting Napoleon to launch a massive invasion of Russia in 1812."
"The resulting campaign ended in disaster for France and the near-destruction of Napoleon's Grande Armée."
"Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia formed the Sixth Coalition and began a new campaign against France, decisively defeating Napoleon at Leipzig in October 1813 after several inconclusive engagements."
"Coalition troops captured Paris at the end of March 1814 and forced Napoleon to abdicate in April."
"Napoleon escaped in February 1815 and reassumed control of France for around One Hundred Days."
"The allies formed the Seventh Coalition, defeated him at Waterloo in June 1815."
"He was exiled to the island of Saint Helena, where he died six years later."
"The wars had profound consequences on global history, including the spread of nationalism and liberalism, the rise of Britain as the world's foremost naval and economic power, the appearance of independence movements in Spanish America and subsequent decline of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires, the fundamental reorganization of German and Italian territories into larger states, and the introduction of radically new methods of conducting warfare, as well as civil law."
"After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, there was a period of relative peace in continental Europe, lasting until the Crimean War in 1853."
"The Peninsular War (1807–1814) and the French invasion of Russia (1812)."
"The Congress of Vienna redrew the borders of Europe and brought a period of relative peace." Note: The above quotes are paraphrased excerpts from the provided paragraph and may require further context for a more comprehensive understanding.