Short Essay on the Napoleon’s War with England

England was greatly alarmed by the victories of Napoleon greatly offended by his authority over Holland and Belgium. Mo Napoleon was making efforts to increase his naval fleet and establish French empire on sea.

Napoleon dispatched two missions the east, one to create lawlessness and confusion in India and the towards the Mediterranean. The latter advised him to reconquer Egypt. All these reports were intolerable for England.

The rise of France Napoleon hit her political and economic interests. Hence there great tension between England and France and the war between seemed to be inevitable.

At this critical juncture England refused vacate Malta looking to the further prospects of war and Napoleon her responsible for breaking the treaty and protested to England was patronising the emigrants from France.

Moreover, the newspapers of England were condemning Napoleon. England also nursed se grievances against France, such as, the latter’s creating discontentment in Ireland, presence of French spies at the British coast and mercantile policy of France. Looking to the explosive circumstances, J. H. Rose rightly remarked:

“In both lands war-like ardor rose to the highest pitch.”

The Outbreak of War

England asked France to vacate Holland and Switzerland insisted that France should pay compensation to the king of Sardinia capturing Piedmont.

England also insisted that Malta should remain with her for ten years more and the former should be allowed to establish its control on an island near the shore of Tunis.

Napoleon did not agree to these proposals of England and a war was declared by England on May 1803 against France. J. H. Rose has described it as “the significant event of the century”.

It not only plunged Napoleon’ struggle against Europe which resulted in his defeat but it also affected the course of the history of America, Africa, India and Australia.

War Tactics of England

No doubt, England had declared war against France but she was alone. None of the members of the first and second coalition prepared to help and cooperate with her. Prussia had adopted the p of isolation after the treaty of Basil; Austria was weary.

The Czar of Russia was a friend of Napoleon. Spain was under oppression and French armies were posted in Holland.

So England confined herself to her security to getting control over the French colonies. England carried out invasion of West Indies and occupied Tobago, St. Lusia and Guinea.

Napoleon occupied Hanover by breaking the treaty of Basil which was under the control of the king of England and closed its port to trade of England.

Prussia took it as very improper but even so she did oppose Napoleon. Napoleon also stationed French army in Naples.

So far, Russia and Austria were keeping mum but various acts Napoleon were creating disturbance in their mind. Napoleon murdered the Duke of Englien and assumed the title of Emperor.

He had changed the constitution of Italian Republic and established his supremacy on it. All these activities of Napoleon annoyed Russia and Austria. In the meanwhile Pitt the Younger became the Prime Minister of England.

He, in order to teach a lesson to Napoleon, formed a third coalition against France. Once again Napoleon had to face the opposition of the united army of allied countries.

Battle of Trafalgar

Napoleon was preparing a large army to attack England. He gathered a vast army at Boulogne and chalked out a plan to invade England. He required a powerful fleet which could safeguard the French troops crossing the English Channel.

The French naval Commander, Villeneuve proceeded to Spain from Toulone. The Spanish fleet also joined him in the way, but the fleet of Brust could not unite with them due to the presence of Nelson on the sea.

Villanueva had to take shelter in Cadiz on 21st October 1805. Both the commanders fought a fierce naval battle in the island of Trafalgar.

The English fleet completely destroyed the French and the Spanish fleets, and England proved its supremacy on the sea. Nelson, the Commander of English fleet, lost his life in this battle, but he saved England. Hayes also remarks:

“Nelson lost his life in the battle but Britain won unquestionable supremacy on the sea.”

This fateful battle made Napoleon realise that England could not be defeated in a direct war and he left the idea of vanquishing her on sea.