N. returns to Paris while the disaster in Russia is still unfolding. Furious activity: he rebuilds the army, calls up conscripts (some so young they were called Marie Louises after his wife--not shaving). A sign of N.'s acceptance in Europe. After the Russian debacle, there were no uprisings by any of the countries whom France had occupied for any length of time. People were not anxious to throw off N's reign; on the contrary. In France itself, no uprisings against the defeated N.
N shrewdly makes another concordat with Pope--no need to have enemies. The pope signs, then regrets it. N's response: "As you are infallible, you could not be mistaken."
However, N's enemies do jump in. Austria mobilizes to attack weakened France. N. a master of self-control in adversity . . . Perfidious Albion--England remains the main enemy . . . more battles . . . N. defeats Russians and Prussians who are attempting to seize France. . . . Austria remains worrisome . . . Marie Louise, whose father is Austrian king, is not any sort of guarantee after all . . . N wins two major battles, but loses many men . . . after all the losses in Russia, French army is not as strong as it had been . . . Metternich demands France return to its pre-war borders, making all of N's wars for nothing . . . Napoleon cannot accept a humiliating peace . . . danger, though, because his enemies have (at last) a counter-strategy to his genius in the field of battle. Withdraw in front of him, engage his lieutenants, fight N himself only from the flank and only when absolutely necessary.
N shrewdly makes another concordat with Pope--no need to have enemies. The pope signs, then regrets it. N's response: "As you are infallible, you could not be mistaken."
However, N's enemies do jump in. Austria mobilizes to attack weakened France. N. a master of self-control in adversity . . . Perfidious Albion--England remains the main enemy . . . more battles . . . N. defeats Russians and Prussians who are attempting to seize France. . . . Austria remains worrisome . . . Marie Louise, whose father is Austrian king, is not any sort of guarantee after all . . . N wins two major battles, but loses many men . . . after all the losses in Russia, French army is not as strong as it had been . . . Metternich demands France return to its pre-war borders, making all of N's wars for nothing . . . Napoleon cannot accept a humiliating peace . . . danger, though, because his enemies have (at last) a counter-strategy to his genius in the field of battle. Withdraw in front of him, engage his lieutenants, fight N himself only from the flank and only when absolutely necessary.
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