E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 35. The Last Conquerer concluded
TLDRIn the 35th chapter of 'A Little History of the World' by Gombrich, the narrative delves into the rise and fall of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon's influence extended across Europe, with city-states granted to his family members and his attempts to discipline them through letters. However, his rule provoked a sense of unity and a desire for freedom among the German people, who were previously divided. Despite initial successes, Napoleon's downfall was precipitated by his insatiable ambition, which led to his fateful invasion of Russia in 1812. The disastrous campaign saw a massive loss of life and forced a retreat through the harsh Russian winter. His eventual defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815 marked the end of his reign, leading to his exile on the remote island of Saint Helena. The chapter concludes with the restoration of the old European monarchies and the efforts of statesmen like Metternich to suppress the ideas of the Enlightenment and return to the pre-revolutionary order.
Takeaways
- 🏛️ Napoleon gave city-states to his family members and wrote letters to discipline them.
- 🗣️ German states experienced a sense of common destiny under French rule, leading to a desire for unity and freedom.
- 📜 Goethe, the great German poet, recognized Napoleon's overwhelming power and advised against futile resistance.
- 💥 Napoleon's insatiable ambition led to his downfall, particularly his decision to invade Russia with a massive army.
- ❄️ The Russian campaign was disastrous, with the harsh winter and scorched earth tactics leading to a catastrophic retreat.
- 🔥 Moscow was set on fire, likely by the Russians, causing Napoleon to abandon the city and retreat.
- 🛤️ The retreat from Russia was devastating, with starvation, cold, and attacks from Cossacks taking a heavy toll on Napoleon's forces.
- 👑 Napoleon was briefly deposed and exiled to Elba, but he escaped and returned to power in France, only to be defeated again.
- 🗺️ The Congress of Vienna aimed to restore the old order in Europe, with Metternich playing a key role in reshaping the continent.
- 🛡️ The Battle of Waterloo marked the end of Napoleon's rule, with a combination of strategic errors and the arrival of Prussian forces leading to his defeat.
- 🏝️ Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent his final years in isolation, dictating his memoirs.
Q & A
What was the German population's reaction to the French Emperor's actions?
-The German population was in a state of great agitation and indignation at the French Emperor's wilful brutality. The shared experience of being dominated by foreigners led to a common desire for freedom among all Germans for the first time in their history.
Why did Napoleon's ambition lead to his downfall?
-Napoleon's insatiable ambition, which was never satisfied with the power he had, eventually led to his downfall. His decision to march on Russia with a massive army was driven by this ambition, but the campaign ended in disaster.
How did the Russian strategy during the invasion by Napoleon's army differ from direct combat?
-The Russian strategy involved retreating and avoiding direct combat, allowing the French army to advance deep into their territory without resistance. This tactic was similar to what the Russians had done previously against the troops of Charles XII of Sweden.
Why did Napoleon decide to retreat from Moscow?
-Napoleon decided to retreat from Moscow after discovering the city almost empty and most of its inhabitants fled. Additionally, the suburbs of Moscow were burning, and the Russian strategy of scorched earth left nothing for the French army to plunder or consume, making it impossible to sustain the large force.
What were the conditions like during Napoleon's retreat from Russia?
-The conditions during the retreat were extremely harsh. The arrival of winter brought bitter cold, and the landscape had already been plundered and consumed. Soldiers faced cold, starvation, and attacks from Russian Cossacks, leading to a massive loss of life.
How did the European powers respond to the end of Napoleon's rule?
-The European powers, particularly under the guidance of Metternich, sought to undo the effects of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. They aimed to restore the old order and prevent future upheavals by controlling what could be written or printed.
Why did Napoleon abandon his troops and return to Paris?
-After the disastrous Russian campaign, Napoleon abandoned his troops and hurried back to Paris to raise fresh troops. His first act upon returning was to reorganize and bolster his forces in an attempt to regain power.
What was the outcome of the Battle of Leipzig in 1813?
-The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations, resulted in Napoleon's defeat. On the first day, he had the upper hand, but the Bavarian troops abandoned him on the second day, leading to his loss and subsequent retreat.
How did the French people react to the return of the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII?
-The French people became increasingly discontented under the rule of Louis XVIII, who governed with the same incompetence and lack of judgment as his predecessor. This discontent paved the way for Napoleon's return from Elba in 1815.
What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo in Napoleon's career?
-The Battle of Waterloo marked the final defeat of Napoleon. Despite initial success, a misunderstanding by one of his generals and the arrival of Prussian reinforcements led to his defeat. This loss resulted in his second abdication and the end of his rule in France.
Where was Napoleon exiled after his final defeat, and how did he spend his remaining years?
-Napoleon was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena in the Atlantic Ocean, where he spent the last six years of his life in isolation. He dictated his memoirs, recounting his deeds and victories, and lived under the supervision of a British governor.
Outlines
🏰 Napoleon's Rise and Fall: The German Awakening and Russian Campaign
The first paragraph delves into Napoleon's influence over Europe, particularly his impact on the German states and his family's control over various city-states. It highlights the growing resentment among the German people towards French rule and the emergence of a unified German identity. The narrative then shifts to Napoleon's military campaign against Russia, detailing the assembly of a massive army and the subsequent disastrous retreat from Moscow due to harsh winter conditions, which significantly weakened his forces. The paragraph concludes with Napoleon's return to Paris to raise new troops amidst rebellions and his confrontation with Metternich, the Austrian Chancellor.
🏛 The Congress of Vienna and Napoleon's Final Defeat
The second paragraph describes the political aftermath of Napoleon's downfall, focusing on the Congress of Vienna where European powers aimed to restore the pre-revolutionary order. It discusses the return of the Bourbon monarchy in France under Louis XVIII and the widespread discontent that led to Napoleon's return from exile on Elba. The paragraph also recounts Napoleon's brief resurgence, his encounter with the Duke of Wellington's forces at the Battle of Waterloo, and his ultimate defeat. The narrative concludes with Napoleon's exile to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent his final years in isolation, and the reestablishment of the old European order under the guidance of figures like Metternich.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Napoleon
💡German Unification
💡Insatiable Ambition
💡Russian Campaign
💡Retreat from Moscow
💡Waterloo
💡Exile to Elba
💡Congress of Vienna
💡Louis XVIII
💡Battle of Leipzig
💡Napoleon's Legacy
Highlights
Napoleon gave city-states to members of his family and wrote letters to discipline them.
German population experienced agitation and indignation at French rule, leading to a sense of common destiny.
Germans, regardless of class, united against foreign domination with a desire for freedom.
Goethe's words reflect the overwhelming power of Napoleon, suggesting the futility of resistance.
Napoleon's insatiable ambition led to the assembling of a massive army to march on Russia.
The Russian strategy of retreat and scorched earth policy met Napoleon's advancing forces with no resistance.
Napoleon's entry into Moscow was marked by an almost empty city and the subsequent burning of the suburbs.
The harsh Russian winter and lack of supplies forced Napoleon's army into a disastrous retreat.
Only a fraction of Napoleon's 600,000-strong army survived the retreat from Russia.
Napoleon abandoned his troops to return to Paris, where he raised new forces to combat rebellions.
Napoleon's negotiations with Metternich resulted in a heated exchange, showcasing his disregard for the value of lives.
The Battle of Leipzig in 1813 saw Napoleon's forces betrayed by Bavarian troops, leading to his defeat.
Following his defeat, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba, where he was given sovereignty.
The Congress of Vienna aimed to undo the effects of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.
Napoleon's escape from Elba and return to power in France led to the formation of a coalition against him.
The Battle of Waterloo marked the final defeat of Napoleon, with a critical mistake by one of his generals.
Napoleon's second exile was to the remote island of Saint Helena, where he spent his remaining years.
The Congress of Vienna's efforts to restore the old order and suppress revolutionary ideas.
Napoleon's legacy as a powerful ruler with an indomitable will, despite his ultimate downfall.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 35. The Last Conquerer part 1
Napoleon's Downfall: Germany 1813 (Full Documentary)
E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 24. Emperors in the Age of Chivalry
E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 32. Meanwhile, Looking Eastwards...
The Napoleonic Wars - OverSimplified (Part 1)
E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 12. The Greatest Adventure of All' part one
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: