- Since the French Revolution began in 1789, European monarchies have feared the spread of Enlightenment ideas. They then decide to join forces to fight France. The first coalition took place from 1793 to 1797. The second coalition (England, the Two Sicilies, Turkey, Russia and Austria) began in 1799.
- November 9, 1799:Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power in a coup. He thus put an end to the French Revolution.
1799-1815
Characters
Napoleon I st
William Pitt
François II, Emperor of the Holy Germanic Empire then François I st , Emperor of Austria
Alexander I st
Procedure
- March 25, 1802:Napoleon succeeded in putting an end to the second coalition thanks to the victories of Zurich, Switzerland (1799), Marengo, Italy (June 14, 1800) and Hohenlinden, Bavaria (December 3, 1800) .
- Austria was the first to sign the peace treaty of Lunéville in 1801, then the other nations that of Amiens on March 25, 1802.
- In 1804, the English Prime Minister William Pitt declared war on France. He thus broke the Treaty of Amiens.
- 1805:start of the third coalition (England, Russia, Sweden and Austria). Again, Napoleon put an end to it thanks to the victories of Ulm (October 20, 1805) and Austerlitz, in the Austrian Empire (December 2, 1805). The Peace of Pressburg was signed on December 26.
- 1806:start of the fourth coalition (England, Russia, Prussia). Once again, Napoleon won the victory with the battles of Eylau, in Russia (February 8, 1807), Friedland, again in Russia (June 14, 1807) and those of Jena and Auerstaedt, in Prussia (October 14, 1806). The Peace of Tilsit was signed between July 7 and July 9, 1807, without England.
- 1809:start of the fifth coalition (England and Austria). Napoleon inflicted a defeat on them at Wagram, in Austria (July 5 and 6, 1809). The Peace of Vienna was signed on October 14, 1809.
Consequences
- 1813:start of the sixth coalition (England, Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden). Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig, Prussia (between October 16 and 19).
- April 6, 1814:Napoleon was forced to abdicate and go into exile on the island of Elba, Italy. The borders of 1792 are restored.
- March 1815:Napoleon returns to power. A seventh coalition begins (England, Prussia, Russia, Austria, Holland, Sweden).
- June 18, 1815:Napoleon loses the Battle of Waterloo.
- June 22, 1815:Napoleon abdicates and is taken prisoner in Saint Helena.