Think Before You Act



Napoleon was one of the world's most famous generals to ever walk the earth. He was a military, a political leader, and emperor for France. His left a remarkable legacy that would have never been forgotten.

He was known for his achievements such as his cooperation in the French Revolution, his ability to end the chaos caused by the Reign of Terror, and the Napoleonic and Metric Codes he established. His conquests of Europe also gave Napoleon a lasting legacy, which would lead to events such as Italian and German unification, 1848 Revolutions, and so much more.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon conquered most of Europe. His military inteliigence gave him victories everywhere, conquering lands from Spain to Germany. He faced many enemies from Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Britain, who would stop at nothing to destroy him.

Sadly, one event who become Napoleon's greatest mistake. On June 1812, he decided to invade Russia due to its massive resources that would sustain his country. He drew his forces from Spain and other parts of Europe for the invasion. Napoleon and his army went all the way to Moscow, but it later went wrong. The winter that came was a disaster for the army. Only 10% of the men survived. This would lead to his downfall that would end his dreams forever.

But the real POD takes back few years ago in 1809. After Napoleon battered Austria, it gave Western Galicia to his empire. Russia was horrified at this, believing it would lead to a French invasion of Russia. Napoleon wondered what to do about this for quite sometime. Later, he decided to side with the Polish nationalists to gain the support. This no caused Russia to ally with Britain, making Napoleon wanting to go to war with him. But what if he decided on a cease-fire with Russia until invasion was right? What if he thought before he acted?

POD and Events Afterward
On June 1811, Napoleon was thinking and thinking in his room. So many things occured in his agenda. Russia believed Napoleon's ambitions will annihilate the country, and have prepared itself against an possible invasion from Napoleon. Britain has defeated the French and Spanish navies at Trafalgar. The war in Spain and Portugal is beating quickly at the French. Napoleon knew he has to win the war against Spain, Portugal, and Britain, but at the same time, Russia's causing an enormous threat to his ambitions what should he do?

Napoleon thought for a moment. He thought he should fight the country so that it would come to his terms. But later, he had a much more peaceful idea. One that would hopefully take most worries out of Napoleon.

On August of 1811, French and Russian diplomats, military and poltical leaders gathered around in St. Petersburg. Napoleon introduced Alexander I a cease-fire between both countries. He promised to eliminate his support for the Polish nationalists and return Western Galicia to Austria and not attack it as long as Russia would not attack France and would rejoin Napoleon's continental system. Grudgingly, Alexander accepted these terms, hoping Napoleon wouldn't attack. Napoleon hope this would keep his dream going. This proved to be a good decision, as he didn't have to invade Russia.

Back at Paris, Napoleon believed as long he never attacked Austria nor Russia, his dream for European domination would keep on going. On Octomber 1811, he led French and Spanish forces to victory in Spain (along with forces that were originally meant to fight Russia) against the British in the northern cities of Bilbao, Gijon, Santander, Leon, Saragossa, and Barcelona. In Barcelona, he led a slaughter of fleeing British troops, forcing the British to retreat to central Spain, holding out till reinforcements arrive.

In Portugal, the royal family was so horrified that they sued for peace. As a punishment for supporting the British, they are forcibly annexed into the French Empire.

On January 1812, Britain, in complete panic, sends its forces to Gibraltar to defend this strong hold to send raids to French-controlled Spain. However, the French arrived too quickly, forcing the British to retreat. The French flag was raised over Gibraltar that day, and day when good things for Napoleon were about to come.

On March 1812, Due to British troops being trapped in Italy, Napoleon leads is army to Northern Italian cities, slaughtering fleeing British troops in Bologna, Milan, and Venice. He later marched to Rome without an incident, and later to Naples. The French flag then hung over those two cities.

With Western Europe (except for Northern Europem and the British Isles), Britain was horrified. Their navy was their only source of protection from Napoleon. Meanwhile, in the US, war was about to begin against Britain. On May 1812, Napoleon sent French ambassadors to the country, hoping to gain the country's support for its war against Britain. Due to its harrassment of sailors, the War Hawks in Congress quickly accepted it. In France, the country built a navy in Bordeaux that was much larger to invade Britain. France also gave US the military aid needed for war.

On July, the US declared war on Britain. Britain sent a large majority of ships to Canada to stop the Americans. Meanwhile, once that was done, the French Navy then attacked the coast of Southern England, demolishing the smaller navy, killing Admiral Nelson. (more to come)