Foreign Invasions

• Causes of the Italian Campaign 1796 to 1797:

  • Directory wanted him to fail, his popularity in Paris was a political threat to them - the Italian army were notoriously unsuccessful.
  • Distract Austrians in Italy and force them away from the Rhine front.
• Significance of the success of the Italian campaign FOR FRANCE (1796-1797):

  • Caused disorder in the papal states
  • End of the war of the first coalition, only Britain at war with France
  • ^ Only a short relief from French war, second coalition war started in 1799.
• Significance of the success of the Italian campaign FOR NAPOLEON (1796-1797):

  • Feared reputation developed
  • Napoleon was able to persuade the Pope and the King of Naples to pay protection money to France.
  • Fame, most generals had little success.
• How were Napoleonic campaigns so financially prosperous?

  • Pillage of art treasures
  • Military division for cultural object seizure
• How did Napoleon motivate the malnourished Italian army?

  • Arranged troops to be paid in silver rather than paper money
  • Oratory skills, spoke directly to soldiers and showed interest
• EVENTS OF THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN (1796-1797):

  • Attacks immediately after reaching the front, gave new territories (nice), giving troops transport routes.
  • January 1797 - Army of Italy wins at Battle of Rivoli (ends Austrian control of north Italy)
  • Each conquered area is made into a "mini France" with its own economy, police etc.
  • Final treaty, French control of Austrian Netherlands, Austrians accept Napoleon's new republics.
• Appeal of the Egyptian Campaign (1798-1801):

  • Protect French Trade interests
  • Undermine British access to India
  • Export the Enlightenment to the Egyptians
• EVENTS OF THE EGYPTIAN CAMPAIGN (1798-1801):

  • Napoleon set off in May 1798, with 35,000 troops
  • Napoleon takes Malta, advances and defeats the Egyptians in the Battle of Pyramids in July.
  • Couldn't fulfil desire to move onto India.
  • Took Jaffa in March 1799, abandoned Siege of Acre.
  • Napoleon defeated by the British in the Battle of Nile.
  • Welcomed back to France in 1799, prevented rumours spreading of the militarily unsuccessful campaign.
• Austria saw Napoleon's dwindling position from the Egyptian campaign (1798-1801): Arranged anti-French coalition in 1798-1799.