alliances (FRW)

• Why did the outbreak of the French Revolutionary Wars essentially created the climate for alliances to be formed?

  There was the Decree of Fraternity – The French Republic offered support to any state wishing to overthrow its rulers and establish a democracy. There was a common goal that all monarchies in Europe now had – to stop the export of these ideals to the people of other European nations. The only way that opposing nations could compete against the French

  ‘levee en masse’ was through the establishment of military alliances.
• Why did some alliances fail?

  Due to lack of coordination. This can be evidenced during the First Coalition of 1793 with the failure of the Austrian and Spanish commanders to jointly launch an attack on Paris in 1793 after initially both invading France- they failed to join forces and coordinate which meant France was able to defeat all members of the coalition except Britain. France then made separate peace agreements with members of the coalition.
• How did poor planning lead to failure of alliances?

  During the Third Coalition of 1805 there was a clear lack of effective planning. Perhaps the most obvious example of lack of cohesion was the fact that Austria and Russia were using different calendars. Hence the Russians arrived too late to save the Austrians at Ulm
• Evidence that the weakness of coalitions helped the French campaigns?

  • coalitions were never formal, French able to undermine enemies by agreeing separate peace agreements
  • didn't face a coordinated enemy
  • second coalition fell apart due to arguments between Russia and Austria
  • nations fight Napoleon had their own goals and priorities
• Other factors explain the campaign successes?

  • Organizational reform of the French forces played a significant role in their victories. The divisional system was highly effective offering both flexibility and surprise
  • They had incredible morale – they were fighting for ideals they believed in and this allowed them to sustain casualties reaching 20%
  • The sheer size of the forces, coupled with their effective tactics, meant that they could sustain far higher losses than their divided enemies