The Age of Napoleon Podcast

1806 saw Europe reeling from the aftermath of Austerlitz. Napoleon organized his new empire and continued to remake the map of the continent, but he would soon be faced with a powerful backlash. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An overview of the most colorful and romanticized branch of a Napoleonic military: the cavalry. Depending on your perspective, they were either the bravest, most vital part of any army, or preening, arrogant prima donnas. Napoleonic cavalry regiments saw some of the most desperate and exciting combat of the era, and their unique subculture continues to fascinate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After his stunning victories of late 1805, Napoleon sought to impose a new international order on central Europe. This would mean an all-out diplomatic assault on one of the world's oldest and most venerable institutions: the Holy Roman Empire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Horatio Nelson's last battle was a stunning British victory, but his fleet's troubles were just beginning. We examine the stunning aftermath of Trafalgar and the legacy of the greatest admiral of the age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I interviewed Real Time History's Jesse Alexander about his latest project: tracing Napoleon's downfall from the invasion of Russia in 1812. You can find them on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/c/realtimehistory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October 1805, a Franco-Spanish fleet sailed out of Cadiz to seek a confrontation with a British fleet under Horatio Nelson. What ensued was one of the greatest naval battles of all time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon famously said that if he could control the English Channel for 6 hours, he would control the world. In 1805, the French navy launched an audacious plan to buy the Emperor his 6 hours. But to do so, they would have to best one of the greatest military institutions of all time: the 19th century Royal Navy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Battle of Austerlitz changed Europe forever. As news of his triumph reverberated across Europe, Napoleon began to redraw the map of the continent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the first anniversary of his coronation, Napoleon faced off against a powerful Coalition army. With France's strategic situation deteriorating by the hour, he formed an audacious plan to win the war in a single stroke. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon pursues a Coalition army through Austria. Masséna fights in Italy. Prussian neutrality finally ends. https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new coalition forms against France. Napoleon leads his new army into Germany in a stunning, lightning campaign. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon brings his army to the Channel Coast and builds it into one of the most formidable war machines in military history. Meanwhile, talk of another anti-French Coalition begins to swirl in the old regime capitals of Europe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 2nd, 1804, Napoleon crowned himself Emperor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We examine Napoleon's colonial policies, the tragic end of Toussaint Louverture, and the final act of the Haitian War of Independence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After his victory over Britain, Toussaint Louverture began a new struggle: to build a new country out of the ruins of war and rebellion. Louverture had a bright vision for the future, but old divisions still lurked under the surface... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recording of a panel on Napoleonic podcasting from the 2021 Massena Society symposium on Napoleonic History. The Massena Society's YouTube channel can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYvrcTkLRWH_5wOdr4lhKHw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the war in Haiti rages on, Toussaint Louverture makes a fateful decision to leave his allies behind. We follow his development as a general as he forges his guerilla forces into a powerful, modern army, and challenges the invaders head-on. Registration for the conference: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/napoleon-and-his-legacy-warfare-politics-and-society-march-18-21-2021-tickets-142425537617 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Haiti sinks deeper into chaos and tragedy, Toussaint begins his rise to leadership within the rebel movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haiti was France's richest colony, but Europe's lust for sugar had created a barbaric and unstable social system in the colonies. We meet the man who would one day rise above this barbarism and become father of a new country. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1803, Britain sent a team of assassins against Napoleon. They failed, but the plot led to one of the most controversial episodes of Napoleon's career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the war over, France was finally becoming prosperous again. Napoleon contemplated what this would mean for his regime as he worked to reform the country. In many ways, the Consulate was a golden age, but war with Britain was already looming on the horizon once again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

France welcomes the Catholic Church back to the country in grand style, but the Concordat complicated Napoleon's relationship with staunch republicans in the army leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon finally had his deal with the Vatican, but how would the Concordat of 1801 change France? What would it mean for the future of the revolution, and millions of alienated French Catholics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon continues in his attempt to reconcile with conservatives. He finally manages to bring the Vatican to the negotiating table for an historic agreement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon wanted to bring social harmony to France, but to do that, he needed to resolve the bitter conflict between the Catholic Church and the revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conclusion to our discussion of the Napoleonic Code, plus the fate of France's crown jewels, the legal opposition to Bonaparte's regime, and women's rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonaparte finally takes the last legal step towards dictatorship, and we begin a discussion of his most important legacy: the Napoleonic Code. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Treaty of Amiens is greeted with celebrations around the world. With peace, Napoleon prepares to embark on an ambitious program of reform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 8 years of war, Britain and France were finally on the road to peace, but reaching an agreement between such bitter rivals would be a long, arduous process. Fortunately, for both countries, an unlikely friendship between Joseph Bonaparte and Lord Charles Cornwallis paved the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After their defeat at Hohenlinden, the Austrians return to the negotiating table, resulting in a treaty that threw the entire future of the Holy Roman Empire into doubt. We examine Prussian diplomacy, and their ineffective young King's strange relationship with Napoleon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The War of the 2nd Coalition is winding down, but in the cut-throat world of Napoleonic diplomacy, peace could often prove elusive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Horatio Nelson continues to build his reputation as one of the most brilliant sailors of the age, but as his fame grows, the dark side of Nelson's character threatens to undermine his achievements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the outbreak of war, Nelson vows to either make his career or destroy himself in the effort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We examine the early career of Horatio Nelson, one of Napoleon's ablest and most implacable opponents. Nelson had good connections and showed great promise, but his temperament endangered his career almost as soon as it began. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon to sign up for the ad-free version. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austria drops out of the war, leaving Britain to continue the struggle against France alone. Emperor Paul of Russia faces fierce opposition. The British navy gets itself into trouble in the Baltic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Marengo, Napoleon's secret police did battle with violent radicals in the political underground, culminating in a brush with death on Christmas Eve, 1800. For the ad-free version of the show, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon and pledge at least $2/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does the Battle of Marengo deserve its reputation as one of Napoleon's greatest victories? We analyze the battle and examine its chaotic aftermath. If you'd like to listen to the show ad-free, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon and pledge at least $2/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon marches against the Austrians yet again, with the future of his new regime hanging in the balance. What followed was one of the most dramatic and consequential campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars, culminating in the first great battle of the 19th century: Marengo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon outmaneuvers his rivals and forms a new government, then secures his position as dictator of France with an undemocratic referendum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and political commentator Matt Christman returns for a conversation about the significance of the Coup of 18 Brumaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We examine the aftermath and significance of the Coup of 18 Brumaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon makes a triumphant return to France, but finds the country no longer has any dire need of a military savior. Nonetheless, a plot was already underway in Paris that would soon culminate in Napoleon's seizure of power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek Davison returns to discuss Middle Eastern history in the wake of the French Expedition. Topics include: the remarkable reign of Muhammad Ali, army reform, orientalism, and a possible 20th-century equivalent of Napoleon You can hear more from Derek at: https://fx.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Napoleon is away in Egypt, the revolution faces new struggles in Europe. Another coalition goes to war with France. One of history's greatest commanders faces off against the republic in Italy. Back in Paris, the government struggles to contain the resurgent left, and a jaded former idealist makes a surprising political comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Murat's cavalry secure another crushing victory over the Mamelukes, but news from France leads Napoleon to abandon the expedition (and his mistress), leaving General Kléber to pick up the pieces. We follow the expedition to its ignoble end, and examine what conclusions we can draw from this strange chapter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the dream of an eastern empire collapsing, Bonaparte launches an invasion of Syria against enormous odds, leading to some of the darkest episodes of his early career. We meet Pauline Fourès, a young French woman who came to be nicknamed "Cleopatra." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The expedition's bad luck continues. The people of Egypt finally reach their breaking point. Cairo gets a taste of Napoleon's tyrannical side. Bonaparte receives a disturbing revelation about his personal life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conversation about debt and property in revolutionary and Napoleonic France, and what's it's like to research late 18th and early 19th century French history Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relations between France and other great powers deteriorate. The Army of the Orient occupies Cairo, and the French immediately run into difficulties governing. Napoleon makes a major decision that could have huge ramifications for the expedition, and for his own destiny. Minor correction: during the fourth minute, "dawn of the 18th century" should be "dawn of the 19th century." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British Mediterranean Fleet under Horatio Nelson spends months chasing the naval component of the Egypt Expedition. They finally catch the French at Aboukir Bay and fight the decisive Battle of the Nile, which would have major consequences for Napoleon and his army, and reverberate in geopolitics and culture for decades. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices