Napoleon Against Britain: Europe 1809-1812

Between 1809 and 1812, Napoleon's Empire was at its height. This video looks at the financial and diplomatic aspects of his reign, before moving onto Britain's survival and Prussia's reform movement.
0:00 Introduction
1:21 The Napoleonic Empire at its Height
18:10 Britain's Survival
31:41 Iron Kingdom Broken
41:23 The Descent to War
Patreon: / oldbritannia
#History, #Napoleon, #Britishempire

[@OldBritannia]

I hope you enjoy the next part in this series focusing on Europe from 1807-1914. Theoretically it's only really supposed to look at international relations, but I think some context of the domestic situation, as focused on here, is important. Hopefully some parts are of interest to you. Thank you for watching, and to Patrons for reviewing the video earlier.

[@luisfilipe2023]

Your work is amazing thank you very much

[@immotion665]

Fantastic video, really happy you included domestic issues as well, gives a more complete view and answers questions I'd always wondered about

[@JasperKlijndijk]

@oldBritannia I love, like and react to all your videos yet I'm alway reluctant to patron creators because of my finances Please someday shine a light on the many Dutch-English wars alliances and trade relations. Wars on the seas new York, colony fights, alliances against Spain and France. Well worth an overview. And I'd be forced to join your patron once and for all 😂

[@jackbharucha1475]

Note to self: Don't vote Whig

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

Just like the Hundred Years War and the Seven Years War. When the Angevin twins argue each other again Afterall, both UK and France are Historic Colonial Rival fought each other for a Thousand years 🇬🇧🟥👑💂⚔️🇲🇫🟦⚜️🐓

[@jackbharucha1475]

Old Britannia: “I promise I won’t get political” One drink later: “I fucking hate the Whigs”.

[@blugaledoh2669]

The Whigs are liberal correct?

[@randomperson6988]

That was unexpected lmao

[@dale6947]

He's right about Fox though.

[@OrionTails]

Caught me off-guard tbh, his videos are typically not like this lol.

[@randomperson6988]

@@OrionTails fr. It also felt so biased

[@mqdboy9278]

No honey, sorry but not today, Old Britannia has just uploaded.

[@dapperbunch5029]

Reject Women, Embrace Diplomacy.

[@FreeFallingAir]

Why not both

[@user-hp8yh4xu6n]

​@@dapperbunch5029Truly gigachad

[@user-hp8yh4xu6n]

​@@dapperbunch5029sigma

[@mqdboy9278]

@@dapperbunch5029 Guess what I did last night lol

[@alceered2868]

That statistic about the French exporting grain to Britain is insane, never knew that was the case.

[@eagle_and_the_dragon]

The Agricultural Revolution occurred a few years after this, perhaps it's related 🤔

[@merocaine]

Yes, it's pretty mad, just goes to show how desperate the French were for income.

[@ChevyChase301]

@@merocaineI think it has more to do with the local farmers, the geography and practicality then the French government search for revenue

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

soon: US and China continue to trade with each other even though hot war has started over Taiwan LOL

[@uncommon_name9337]

​@@therearenoshortcuts9868 Ah yes, the wonders of capitalism.

[@theDoctorwitTardis]

*King WIlliam III:* There's nothing we can do. *Queen Louise:* Hold my beer.

[@Albukhshi]

She was his best minister!

[@ryanelliott71698]

The Prussian bit just feels depressing to watch, especially the part about how the civilians got basically robbed by a country who they thought were now their ally.

[@SS_Atlantic_Greyhound1119]

I was feeling the same way while watching the segment play out. Napoleon's treatment of Prussia was just plain on bullying, and would ensure he would have a new advisory in the coming years once the opportunity arose. Their hardly seems much justification for it either. For all the credit Napoleon gets for his leadership of the army and affairs of state, he seemed awful in how to treat his defeated opposition and ensure a lasting peace. Honestly, Napoleon was asking for defeat and he had yet to even realise it.

[@ryanelliott71698]

@@SS_Atlantic_Greyhound1119 am I saying he’s pure evil? No, but is in this weird grey area. Overall I’d say at a certain point he has an ego that becomes his undoing. The Poland being independent I can get, but the requisition of supplies from a country that already got beat down I agree is too much. If Napoleon offered at least some compensation for the supplies like agreeing to pay a fair price or something else I feel could’ve helped levitate the situation. Instead he basically acted as a bandit robbing them.

[@SS_Atlantic_Greyhound1119]

@@ryanelliott71698 Oh no I'm not saying he was pure evil either. Just that he didn't have as much tact for long term diplomacy that any great leader needs to ensure lasting peace. I do agree with you though.

[@lynxfresh5214]

Tbf what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger and thanks to Napoleon's sometimes questionable diplomacy, he inadvertently emboldened the Prussians to the point they were inevitably going to become France's worst enemy in the future. Special mention to the Poles who turned their back on Napoleon after being sent to Haiti.

[@ryanelliott71698]

@@SS_Atlantic_Greyhound1119 agreed. The peace deal of any war is just as if not more important than winning the conflict. How many interstate, civil wars, rebellions happen where a side may win, but the peace terms just basically become a temporary ceasefire till the next conflict arrives? Some ideas of Napoleon post wars weren’t bad. Bring back Poland, abolish the Holly Roman Empire, reorganize some areas like the Italian and German states so the make more sense were good ideas. But putting a Napoleon on every throne, annexing the Netherlands, Rhineland, turning Austria into a rump state, pissing off the Prussians, invading Spain his ally was probably the biggest “wtf do you think your doing” moment of the Napoleonic wars.

[@WhydoIsuddenlyhaveahandle]

Man, your videos are just spectacular! In the US, the French Revolution and Napoleon (and other European events that don't involve the US) are covered in school obviously, but never in the amazing detail you do. I have learned more about US/UK relations, for example, from your series on the "Other Great Game" than I ever learned in school. Please keep them coming. It is much appreciated!

[@user-hp8yh4xu6n]

Yanky

[@chessco4516]

@@user-hp8yh4xu6n yankee

[@dino9921]

I'm literally gonna cry... seeing the title of this video is like when I woke up for Christmas morning as a kid and saw all the gifts... thank you for covering this with your expertise and unique style of entertainingly relaying dense historical information.

[@reubzdubz]

45 minutes of Napoleon lore? Click!

[@alot-of-sad-ponies]

Napoleon is probably the most skilled general in history. Great to see a video on him!

[@Barwasser]

All the more interesting to get some information on his shortcomings as a diplomat and administrator. These subjects are often ignored because of his flashy successes on the battlefield.

[@smal750]

by far the best*

[@alot-of-sad-ponies]

@@Barwasser That's true. Stuff like the Continental system was a real blunder on his part.

[@codysodyssey3818]

finances are so fascinating. It's amazing how little it ever gets explained. You and TIK History have ignited a new passion in me for numbers and policy.

[@mikewazowski7024]

Doesn’t TIK believe the ”Clean Wehrmacht” myth?

[@maximilianbeyer5642]

You should take whatever TIK History is saying with a grain of salt. After all, he believes Hitler was a socialist

[@raptor4916]

​@maximilianbeyer5642 luckily TIK makes it very easy to check as he cites his sources

[@Animeskwl]

@OldBritannia Another brilliant video. Big fan. I'm a financial/economic historian, so find this particular episode interesting. Just one minor criticism: the term for the hard currency is pronounced "Spee-she", as if you were dropping the "s" off the word Species. A minor thing. I look forward to your continued uploads!

[@OldBritannia]

Ah, apologies. If there’s one thing making these videos has taught me it’s that I have been pronouncing more words than I thought incorrectly throughout my life. Haha, knowing there is an economic historian checking my homework is going to make me nervous in future. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Animeskwl]

@@OldBritannia if I were to check your homework, you'd be getting high marks. Pronunciation is a small thing, in the great scheme of things. Keep up the good work, thoroughly enjoy it.

[@LeifTunteri-lm6un]

Economic history is one of my favorite parts of history to learn, due in no small part to the fact that there is a clear right and wrong with economics.

[@luisfilipe2023]

The Napoleonic wars are probably my favourite period of European history. Keep up the good work!

[@mosscow6056]

I credit you and your channel with helping to inspire a new profound interest in diplomacy, as well as diplomatic history. These videos are music to my ears, I will always be back for more.

[@sasinator6918]

I love how you include your sources at the end of the video. Shows how well researched your videos are.

[@tomosjackson4760]

Great video. For all that the Napoleonic period is talked about, the content you provide goes to show how little is actually studied, and fills many gaps that we didn't know we had. Keep up the good work 👍

[@Centristlol]

These videos just keep getting longer and longer and I AM HERE FOR IT!!!

[@kynix76]

Excellent work! I was pleasantly surprised by the length of it!

[@therearenoshortcuts9868]

didn't realize France was such dire financial situation at the time... even if they had defeated Britain it seems like the empire was unsustainable anyways...

[@OttoVonRibagnac]

My favorite channel, the content is very interesting. I love that you cite the sources, sometimes I buy the books after watching the videos.

[@jackjones3919]

Your videos are so insanely good! Thanks for the great content

[@BlameThande]

Great to see more videos, and looking forward to you continuing this into the 19th century. In the longer term I'd like to see you bring your style of analysis to the 18th century wars like the Seven Years' War (I think you have done one shorter video on that) though I know you said your expertise is more in the 19th.

[@stormwater8986]

This man is Goated, love the style, presentation, and in depth knowledge, thank you

[@AustinSauce3]

Thank you so much. I love your videos and seeing this one pop up was a godsend !

[@stevenblack7928]

This is your best upload so far.

[@FriscoDojenia]

You’re an amazing content creator. The presentation, voice over, and overall aesthetic is amazing!

[@cameroff]

Your content is of fantastic visual and narrative quality. I would love to see on-screen citations and a full list of sources to take this channel to the next level.

[@josephb7594]

Another amazing upload!

[@unusualhistorian1336]

Your videos are great, keep it up!

[@dinodocumentaries4686]

Yes! I have been looking forward to this!

[@Gamenetreviews]

I am always hoping for a new video to come out and drop everything to watch when they do release. Your content is excellent.

[@kylemcmullan2831]

This is the most underrated channel on youtube.

[@PizzaGod9001]

I literally subscribed an hour ago. Im glad i got the notification.

[@The_Only_Pickle]

It is always nice when Old Britannia uploads

[@TheLiverpolitan]

Absolutely superb!. This series should be on the BBC. When i see a new Old Britannia video i genuinely get a rush of serotonin 🙏

[@ralphdude7]

Bro your work is seriously so fantastic. Pro level history

[@EasternRomanHistory]

This was fascinating and very well made. I loved your scoffs at the Whigs.

[@Vesporeon]

This channel is fantastic and I hope its subscribee count can breach into 6 digits. As an aside, I've wondered if you and Strategy Stuff could do a collab of some sort, perhaps a thought exercise on what would’ve been the most optimal British strategy for WWI?

[@bcvetkov8534]

Great video m8. Thank you for the upload. I love your content. And always learn something new about periods of history I didn't learn before. After playing through map games on discord and having to roleplay as Eugene. I've done my fair share of research on him. And he wasn't passed over. He declined to be the heir. This happened especially, after Napoleon left Josephine he felt obligated to say no after everything that went down with his mother. He also, didn't join Napoleon during his return for the hundred days. Also, idk how the whig's winning in Britain would mean "enslavement for Britain." But I'm sure there is a good reason why you put it in the video itself.

[@odiadordeisrael]

i like how passive aggressively he talks about Napoleon, like if he were a British statesman in the early 19th century.

[@ChevyChase301]

“Greatest empire since Charlemagne” aren’t you forgetting Charles V and the kings of the Iberian union? All of which with more influence and power than Europe bound napoleon.

[@nickmacarius3012]

This video was fantastic!

[@lmonk9517]

Another great video

[@ImStillWoody]

Love these videos!

[@owenowen212]

Another great video, thank you.

[@alaska6678]

Great video!

[@SpeculativeConjecture]

another great video keep it uP!

[@sebby_scarfkid944]

Simply fascinating, took me till today to finish but I've already found myself talking about Spencer Perceval to my rather bemused partner. Keep up the fantastic work!

[@1Rab]

Today is the day I realized only 20 miles separate France and the UK. I have run that distance in 2.5 hours. Yet that gap has shaped so much of history. I've commuted 30 miles each way

[@joshuarafaelfc2112]

Wow how amazing state of the art videos you create! Will you also talk about the Scandinavian Monarchies specially Sweden During the GNW and the 2 wars it had with Russia after?!! It will be amazing to get a video from those 2 overlook states!

[@stephen7725]

You inspire me and terrify me with the extent of knowledge you share about a time I find absolutely fascinating.

[@legoman2m98]

love these videos

[@carlsmith8815]

The delving into more financial/ trade details is fascinating. Once only the sweeping campaigns would have focused one's interest, but without the cash flow there are no battles. An interesting and accurate comment on George !!! the best English/British monarch since Queen Bess. Plus Pinney. actually did something. strategically good in his "rare outbreak of common sense ".

[@alansmithee8831]

Once again, a fascinating political insight from a time when the military history is entirely dominant and in my time at school only touched upon, when presented with British social and economic history.

[@giniusmklo8161]

I love how you represent the actual reasons of the local and imperial conflicts of the age

[@aaronicicle1867]

I've been waiting so long for the next Napoleonic Wars video/what each nation wanted, thank you for making this :)

[@evansnjuguna8315]

A new Old Britannia video… Yes please😁😁😁

[@theeternalanglo5629]

Its always strange to me how someone can contain such contrasts of brilliance and short sightedness as Napoleon.

[@malcolmw513]

This is a long one (edit: and having seen it, also a really good one)

[@thespiritphoenix3798]

Amazing video as always. It really makes you realise how the Napoleonic Wars streched all parties to their breaking points. Could you explain the Whig Party ideology duting this period as opposed to the Tory one?

[@crocodileguy4319]

This is the good stuff litfam

[@MarcusAgrippa390]

The details are of course impeccable and this channel presents them splendidly as always. You can always tell when proper research has been done and this video is proof of it being done well.

[@bradleydougherty1768]

46 minute video hasn't been up for 10 minutes. And you are already commenting on its overall quality? Stfu

[@andrewgilbertson595]

Another masterpiece

[@user-qk5mm1yw7y]

You are legendary, keep up the excellent work!

[@jdghgh]

Wonderful production. The biggest takeaway I have after watching this is that many assumptions that are often made regarding the overall strategic situation are probably incorrect. The truth is more complex. I would add that the First Empire was never at any real risk until after the Russian cataclysm, and even then only in addiction to the ongoing disaster in Spain. Even after the retreat from the East, it required an even larger war in Germany to seal the fate of Napoleon.

[@memofromessex]

I really really enjoy your videos! I would have love to have seen this when I was at school and uni, all I had was Norman Davies' "Europe: A History"! It would have been funny if the pope had to do his ruling and pontification from London - such a lark that would have been! Also, I have kindly asked before and I will ask again - Can you do something on British and French diplomacy post-Napoleon to WWI. Pretty please! I have always found our poor relations pretty childish - we had both giving up on seizing each other territory and were no-longer religious rivals nor really rivals yet we seemed to have squabbled ever since the end of Napoleon!

[@benreilman5349]

I love the video but I wish you added a bibliography to the description so we can dive deeper into the subject after watching your videos.

[@viable-eu4227]

there's a source list at the end, no?

[@MalikF15]

I’m always blown away by how much detail you go into when breaking down the positions of the various countries. It’s almost ironic that France was war to fuel the economy when costly wars helped lead to the French revolution.

[@MalikF15]

Great video. It always reminds that napoleon using war to pay off debts was self defeating similar to empires over the years

[@emilianohermosilla3996]

Old brittania being cool AF as always!

[@Thurnmourer]

Man, I can't wait for this series to end, we get to the best part. A good laugh over a cup of tea, another front put away.

[@rafanadir6958]

When you said that Saint Petersbourg was horrified when Napoleon asked for the hand of the tsar's sister, I was quite surprised. Given the current state Russia is in, it is really hard for me to accept that there was once a time when Russia was a normal European state.

[@mercury_0080]

babe wake up new old britannia video just dropped >o

[@varbalvarbal]

Great content. A small quibble though: "specie" is pronounced speeshee, not speky.

[@micahistory]

Here early in order to enjoy 45 minutes of quality content

[@luisfilipe2023]

Who else would love to see a 19th century British political drama written by this guy

[@minkathetzaritza]

I adore your channel and narrator is the best ❤ Napoleon fan (Honey❤ I know you know that I know what nobody does or I'm wrong, m'a ami❤😂)

[@buddermonger2000]

Ultimately the fall of Napoleon came from the fact that he never truly had a system with which to consolidate his holdings. His only concern being military victory. Once that had fallen away, there was nothing left keeping everything in order. However, dictators are rarely known for their attempts at consolidation.

[@boogitywoogity248]

Perfect Valentine’s Day upload, looks like instead of a candle lit dinner, it’s old Brittania and cuddles babe.

[@Ennio444]

I did not expect this vid to become a hit piece against the Prince Regent.

[@petermann673]

27:35 "The loss of the finest British Monarch since the Great Queen" Okay, evidently I'm going to need to rewatch some prior videos because to my American ears, hearing Georgie 3 being referred to as such made me double take.

[@blugaledoh2669]

George III was surprisedly one of the best king of Britain

[@Bruno-ec8ft]

It's fascinating howin the later years Napoleon keeps on making ennemies out of possible allies. Was the blockade really a good idea instead of just letting trade flow? He was a good general with a terrible strategic view and bad diplomacy.

[@ChandelordChandel-wi6hx]

Fun fact: the only remaining Coat of Arms belonging to Pepe Botella (Joseph I) in Spain can be found in the monastery of San Benito in Valladolid

[@anamarvelo]

Now I suddenly need a documentary on The Whig party during the late Georgian era from you

[@Progamermove_2003]

3:40, was Emperor Francis really loved by his subjects?

[@user-dd6yy2hl1l]

Hey can you do Earl Minto and napoleon. Defending british india against the french in the napoleonic wars?

[@user-rh9fc9bt1z]

he always makes me want to play eu4

[@theexiledcactus3735]

45:38 "He who looks to fight first then afterwards for victory, shall be defeated. He who secures victory first then looks to fight, shall be victorious" - Sun Tzu 'The Art of War'

[@YouBroger]

Excuse me, what does he say at 23:13 and at 23:27? Sounds like "specky" It's really hard to understand his accent for me (where is it from?) Thanks in advance

[@brentonchen4206]

Specie, as in hard currency

[@YouBroger]

@@brentonchen4206 Thanks! Do you know where is the accent from?

[@taWay21]

Consider doing a What If scenario regarding the Whigs signing a peace treaty with Napoleon

[@JM-cg2mj]

Hats off. Your work is top drawer, and you’re getting better with each one. I don’t know if you accept fan requests , but would you think about a deep dive into the slow motion train crash leading to the French Revolution, the blood bath that follows and all the way to Amiens ? I know you’ve got your American independence war video already , but Britain had front row seats to the French Revolution , so surely some content there for you too ?

[@bm8985]

Oh shit honey new Old Britannia video just dropped.

[@jeffreyzervos6938]

The viscount castlereigh and the junior finance minister are the reasons Britain pulled through along with the military victories of wellington and Nelson. seriously the main reason

[@danever159]

could you please make a video on european technological advances and why it let europe conqur much of the world?

[@brendanbruno7024]

Very interesting analysis about the inner machinations in Europe and England post Tilsit to an American like me. I can’t help but come away with the notion that if Napoleon actually allowed free trade instead of embargo, he could have weakened the case for war by British hawks, increased France’s revenues, and reduce the need for war with Russia. Did anyone else come away thinking this too?

[@generalvikus2138]

I do not think that the strategic argument in favour of perpetual war to sustain the army is valid. It is obvious that the French army could have downsized considerably and still been better off than the Russian campaign left it; but more to the point, France defeated several coalitions before the conquest of the Empire; it follows that the resources of the Empire were probably sufficient to defeat more coalitions in the long run, so long as those resources were not squandered. Napoleon's hubris cannot be so easily excused.

[@milas5108]

you dont mention the fact that Russia stationned an army near the Grand Duchy's boarders in 1811 and both emperors wanted war (Cf. the book "15 aout 1811. L'apogée de l'Empire ?" by Charles Eloi Vial) plus i think your bibliography isnt diverse and rich enough for such a complex subject. good video though

[@jeffreyhornblower6515]

Boys old Britannia upload get the beers

[@mechaboy0226]

Wow between fallouts with his family to poor reorganization of finances to a load of to other blunders in Spain, the church and other issues is a lot napoleon may have been a resounding leader but he allowed his ego and the strain of many different issues to lead him from blunder to blunder

[@kalixkatt]

A nice subtitle could been "How napoleon finaced his empire"