"That war destroyed me; it divided my forces, multiplied my obligations, undermined morale."
Main problem is that this campaign had no real goal other than to increase the empire. It was, as few of his other wars were, a war of naked aggression.
Liberty, equality, fraternity impossible goal. Liberty and equality, strictly observed, will create resentment and obliterate fraternity. Equality and fraternity don't work with liberty; fraternity and liberty are possible if there is not equality.
At his most extravagant, Napoleon had 39 palaces. He brought back many of the trappings of Louis XIV--his feeling was that extravagence in a ruler produced awe in the populace. Personally, though, he remained plain.
Work as the essence of his life, unlike kings. Light drinker, light eater, light sleeper. Excellent at prioritizing, though definitely a micro-manager. (After a fire was not put out quickly, he personally reorganized the Paris fire department--greatly improving it.) Good boss--when sent into exile, his valets and servants wanted to accompany him. The Brits couldn't allow all that wished to go. "Level in character and gentle in behavior." . . . fond of talk, he didn't impose his opinions on others, made no pretense of superiority, was always able to ask the most basic questions without embarrassment . . .
Goal of Iberian campaign is to wrest Portugal from English influence and to secure the Spanish navy for looming battle against England . . . Occupies Lisbon and imposes constitution which included religious tolerance, equality before the law, freedom of the individual. Roads to be built, canals dug, education fostered, Inquisition abolished in Spain, etc. Reformer, but the Spaniards--deeply conservative--resist his reforms . . . guerrilla warfare
The campaign has mixed results--battles lost to Wellesley (future Wellington) by other generals . . .
Meeting with Czar Alexander over the Continental System--really a sanction/blockade imposed against Britain by Napoleon, forbidding any trade by Europe with the Brits. The Russians were hurt by this, and found ways around it.
Meets with Goethe--Goethe impressed by his knowledge and modesty. . . "What do you think, Herr Goethe?" Goethe impressed and says his talks with Napoleon one of the most gratifying experiences of his life. . .
Alexander and Napoleon again agree to divide Europe between France and Russia, but uneasily . . . Napoleon forced to leave Spain because Austria rearms and threatens him again . . . . Weakens his army, though, 300000 men left in Spain to keep it "mostly" under control . . .
"I embarked pretty badly on this affair, I admit it," Napoleon acknowledged (years later).
"The immorality showed too obviously, the injustice was too cynical, and the whole of it remains very ugly."
Seeds of defeat in Russia planted in Iberian campaign
Main problem is that this campaign had no real goal other than to increase the empire. It was, as few of his other wars were, a war of naked aggression.
Liberty, equality, fraternity impossible goal. Liberty and equality, strictly observed, will create resentment and obliterate fraternity. Equality and fraternity don't work with liberty; fraternity and liberty are possible if there is not equality.
At his most extravagant, Napoleon had 39 palaces. He brought back many of the trappings of Louis XIV--his feeling was that extravagence in a ruler produced awe in the populace. Personally, though, he remained plain.
Work as the essence of his life, unlike kings. Light drinker, light eater, light sleeper. Excellent at prioritizing, though definitely a micro-manager. (After a fire was not put out quickly, he personally reorganized the Paris fire department--greatly improving it.) Good boss--when sent into exile, his valets and servants wanted to accompany him. The Brits couldn't allow all that wished to go. "Level in character and gentle in behavior." . . . fond of talk, he didn't impose his opinions on others, made no pretense of superiority, was always able to ask the most basic questions without embarrassment . . .
Goal of Iberian campaign is to wrest Portugal from English influence and to secure the Spanish navy for looming battle against England . . . Occupies Lisbon and imposes constitution which included religious tolerance, equality before the law, freedom of the individual. Roads to be built, canals dug, education fostered, Inquisition abolished in Spain, etc. Reformer, but the Spaniards--deeply conservative--resist his reforms . . . guerrilla warfare
The campaign has mixed results--battles lost to Wellesley (future Wellington) by other generals . . .
Meeting with Czar Alexander over the Continental System--really a sanction/blockade imposed against Britain by Napoleon, forbidding any trade by Europe with the Brits. The Russians were hurt by this, and found ways around it.
Meets with Goethe--Goethe impressed by his knowledge and modesty. . . "What do you think, Herr Goethe?" Goethe impressed and says his talks with Napoleon one of the most gratifying experiences of his life. . .
Alexander and Napoleon again agree to divide Europe between France and Russia, but uneasily . . . Napoleon forced to leave Spain because Austria rearms and threatens him again . . . . Weakens his army, though, 300000 men left in Spain to keep it "mostly" under control . . .
"I embarked pretty badly on this affair, I admit it," Napoleon acknowledged (years later).
"The immorality showed too obviously, the injustice was too cynical, and the whole of it remains very ugly."
Seeds of defeat in Russia planted in Iberian campaign
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