Napoleon was at war or preparing for war during his entire reign. He certainly seemed up to the task of defeating the European powers. He created a sprawling empire in Europe between 1802 and 1812 through military conquest and alliances.
As the wars with leading powers of Europe continued, Napoleon proved to be a brilliant military strategist and political leader.
By 1802, he had signed favorable treaties with both Austria and Great Britain. He appeared to establish France as a dominant power in Europe. But the peace was short-lived.
In August of 1806, while in Germanies, Napoleon dismantled the old Holy Roman Empire. In October, two separate French armies, one directly under Napoleon’s field command – defeated two Prussian armies, one at Jena in Thuringia and the second near Auerstadt. By month’s end, the French marched into the city of Berlin, the Prussian capital.
In 1807 Napoleon invaded Spain and he drive out British expeditionary forces intent on invading French. Spain became a satellite kingdom in French Empire, although the conflict continued.
By 1810, the French leader was a master of the continent. French armies had extended revolutionary reforms and legal codes outside French and brought with them civil equality and religious tolerance. At that times Great Britain was the only remaining European power at war with Napoleon.
They also drained defeated countries of their resources and had inflicted the horrors of wars with army’s occupation, force billeting and pillage. Napoleon’s empire extended across Europe, with only a diminished Austria, Prussia, and Russian remaining independent.
Napoleon was successful on the battlefield because he developed tactics which brought him victories. His men move d about without connections to supply lines, living off the land. This allowed his army to move swiftly without being hindered by slow moving supply wagons.
Napoleon at war
