The Second French War was a conflict from 1819 to 1825. The war pitted France and Switzerland against Great Britain, Prussia, smaller German States, Austria, Denmark, and Russia.
Overview[]
In 1818, Napoleon II became Emperor of France. Napoleon II began immediately appointing new government officials to replace his father's old ones. However, many of his new officials (as well as himself) were inexperienced with handling such power, and it led to some chaos in the government and in France.
G.B., Prussia, German States, Austria, Denmark, and Russia took advantage of this by, in 1819, declaring war on France in an effort to get revenge on France for the trouble given to them by Napoleon I the Great.
However they did not expect that France would be unified and over the chaos so quickly. France brought some swift reforms in 1820, then called upon its allies in the American Confederacy and Spain to help. The American Confederacy, however, rejected the request, as it was in the complicated process of the Reunification with the Federal Republic of America. Spain tried to help, however they were demoralized after losing most of their empire in the Latin American Wars of Independence and they made peace in 1822.
Despite being alone, France put up a long and tough fight. France lost much of what Napoleon I the Great, however held on to actual France.
In 1821, Napoleon I the Great died. His last words, "France is my legacy, and my son will lead it. Fight amongst yourselves or my son, and you will have ruined everything I and our soldiers fought for," would go a long way in keeping France unified under Napoleon II, especially during this war.
In 1823, Napoleon II publicly blamed America for France's problems in the war, since they did not come to France's aid. Soon after, Napoleon II declared war on America. This was a huge mistake. America quickly invaded and annexed French Louisianna. America also signed the Treaty of Charlotte, which was a temporary alliance between the United States and Great Britain until the Second French War was over.
By 1825, France had lost territory, but was still holding out against enemies. Napoleon II signed the Peace of Frankfurt, and the Second French War was over. However, Napoleon II vowed in a public speech in Paris to get revenge and continue his father's legacy.
Europe after the Second French War