Taking Back the Crown: Napoleon's Legendary Return скачать в хорошем качестве

Taking Back the Crown: Napoleon's Legendary Return

I think I'm not alone in thinking that this is undoubtedly the most epic comeback in history. Here I offer a "brief" commentary: In late December 1813, two months after the disastrous Battle of Leipzig, Coalition armies invaded France. Facing odds greater than 4-to-1, Napoleon nevertheless displayed his usual sangfroid and brilliance. During his counter-offensive against Blücher’s army twice as strong, he scored four field victories in six days, inflicting ten times as many casualties as he suffered. Wellington would later say about this campaign, “The study of it has given me a greater idea of his genius than any other.” Nonetheless, ultimate victory lay beyond even Napoleon’s ability. Tsar Alexander, having received a letter from the treacherous foreign minister Talleyrand who informed him that Paris was poorly defended, convinced his fellow monarchs to gamble on taking the city, for Napoleon had cut off their communication and supply lines, threatening to trap them between Paris and his army. The gamble paid off, and after only a day of token fighting, Paris capitulated. Napoleon was only 14 miles away, force-marching his troops to the city’s rescue, when he heard of its surrender. Exhausted, he sat for fifteen minutes with his head in his hands. On April 1, the Allies occupied Paris. The next day, the Senate deposed the Emperor and invited the Bourbon pretender Louis to assume the throne. Unlike the Russians in 1812, the French had no stomach for a prolonged war on their home soil, nor the will to burn down their own capital like the Russians had Moscow. At Fontainebleau, Napoleon wanted to march on Paris at once, but now, for the first time, he faced unanimous opposition from his marshals. They urged him to abdicate, reminding him of his oath to only do what was in the best interests of France. He accused them of ingratitude, of only wanting to keep the titles and riches he’d bestowed on them. On April 3, he conducted an inspection of the Old Guard, who shouted “Vive l’Empereur!” and “To Paris!” But the next day, Marshal Marmont, an old comrade and close friend of Napoleon, now betrayed him by marching his corps straight into the Allied camp to surrender along with all their arms and ammunition, against the wishes of most of his soldiers and junior officers. This led the Tsar to reject all notion of a Regency for Napoleon’s son and demand his unconditional abdication. A resigned Napoleon told his marshals, “You wish for repose. Well, you shall have it.” He sent Caulaincourt to Paris with a provisional document to negotiate terms. Rumors of his abdication caused many officers and courtiers to swiftly abandon him. A councilor observed, “One would have thought that His Majesty was already in his grave.” Yet even now, Napoleon was fully capable of launching a civil war had he wished. On April 7, the 40,000-strong army at Fontainebleau paraded at night with arms and torches crying “Vive l’Empereur!”, “Down with the traitors!”’ and “To Paris!” There were similar scenes all over the country, with loyal garrisons revolting and even firing on their officers. This led the Allies to hastily sign the Treaty of Fontainebleau on April 11, granting Napoleon sovereignty over the small Mediterranean island of Elba and a pension of 2.5 million francs per annum. They let him keep his imperial title and 1000 guardsmen. On April 12, Napoleon formally abdicated as Emperor of the French after a ten-year reign: “The Allied powers having declared that the Emperor Napoleon is the only obstacle to the reestablishment of peace in Europe, the Emperor Napoleon, faithful to his oath, declares that he renounces, for himself and his heirs, the thrones of France and Italy, and there is no personal sacrifice, even that of life, that he would not be ready to make in the interest of France.” After an unsuccessful suicide attempt that night, he ratified the Treaty the next morning, now at peace with his fate. On April 20, the Old Guard assembled for a final review. Napoleon addressed them with a firm but emotional voice, outlining his reasons for abdicating, praising their courage and loyalty, and bidding them farewell. He embraced General Petit and kissed the eagle standard before throwing himself into his carriage. These veterans of fifty battles, men who'd been with him from the very beginning and never once flinched from death, now shook with sobs and wept openly, some even falling to their knees in grief. On May 3, Napoleon set sail for his new domain. However, this was not the last Europe had seen of him. (CONTINUED IN THE PINNED COMMENT.) My inspiration for this was a masterfully edited video (   • Napolen Bonaparte | Emperor's New Clothes ...  ) by Ann Const, so check that out. The original song is "Emperor's New Clothes" by Panic! At The Disco, and this glorious cover is by Jonathan Young (   • Panic! At the Disco - EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHE...  ). All paintings and drawings shown are in the public domain or belong to their respective owners. I do not make money from this.