Week 8- The Egyptian campaign Flashcards
What were the aims/ tempting prospects of the Egyptian Campaign?
Protect French trade interests.
Blocking British overland trade routes to India.
Distract the British Navy and make an invasion of England possible.
Establish French presence in the middle east.
Introduce Enlightenment ideals.
What country was it proposed for Napoleon to invade?
In October 1797 he was appointed to command an army to carry out an invasion in England but he rejected this.
The strength of the British Navy made invasion very difficult.
When did Napoleon propose an invasion of Egypt instead?
Early 1798
March 1798- The Directory agreed to the plan.
When did Napoleon invade Egypt?
May 1798- Napoleon, with 35,000 troops, landed in Alexandria after taking control of Malta.
July 1798- He reached Egypt
When did Napoleon defeat the Egyptians?
July 1798 in the Battle of the Pyramids, near Cairo
What happened when the British got involved with the Egyptian campaign?
On 1st August 1798 they revealed a major limitation in Napoleon’s strength by destroying the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.
How did Napoleon respond to the defeat at the Battle of the Nile?
He moved into Syria with a force of 13,000
He had to abandon this siege as he underestimated the ability of the British to help the Turks.
Napoleon retreated in May
What was the second coalition>
Many countries were angry about the Egyptian campaign and joined forces.
Included Austria, Britain, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Portugal, and several Italian and German states.
1798-99- The coalition was formed
How did the second coalition act against Napoleon?
1799- They mounted several invasions in Italy, Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Soon they were on the French borders.
How did Napoleon respond to the invasions from the second coalition?
August 1799- Napoleon left the bulk of his army in Egypt and returned to France with a small group of men.
He arrived in France in October 1799.
What happened when Napoleon returned to France?
The enemies had been repelled and the Russians had withdrawn from the coalition.
The Directory was in a weak position and there was widespread anger.
This meant Napoleon was greeted back as a saviour.
