strategy (NW)

• Offensive strategy in NW?

  • quickest possible destruction of enemy forces- break the enemy and remove any resistance
  • sending forces so far into enemy territory that the enemy couldn't simply ignore it eg Jena-Auerstadt in Oct 1806 where Napoleon forced the Prussians into battle by driving 180,000 of his men towards Berlin- success
  • 1812 Russia invasion- unsuccessful- Russians able to hold out of engaging in the decisive battle which left his forces dangerously low on food and supplies
• Economic strategy in NW?

  • Continental system- economic embargo of British goods in a desperate bid to hit Britain's economy
  • struggled as Nap found it difficult to stop European countries trading with Britain despite the great lengths he went to such as the occupation of Spain and Portugal and the invasion of Russia which left the forces overstretched and severely weakened
• Other strategies?

  • His main strategy (quick decisive victories) was influenced by his huge army that needed to be fed so he could move elsewhere before food sources became too limited