egypt campign new Flashcards
(25 cards)
What was Napoleon’s position in 1797?
A hero in France. Came to the rescue of the Directory in September 1797 when he sent General Augereau to purge the royalists from the Council of Five Hundred in the Coup of Fructidor.
Why did Napoleon shelve plans to invade England?
Hoche’s attempt to invade Ireland in December 1796 failed. The strength of the British navy made any seaborne invasion difficult. Spanish and Batavian fleets were defeated at Cape St Vincent (Feb 1797) and Camperdown (Oct 1797).
Why did Napoleon want to invade Egypt?
To protect French trade interests in India and the East; to attack British commerce in the eastern Mediterranean; to undermine Britain’s access to India and the East Indies; to distract the British navy; to establish a French presence in the Middle East; he thought it would be easy; to spread Enlightenment ideas.
Why did the Directory agree to Napoleon’s plan to invade Egypt in March 1798?
They didn’t want to turn down an opportunity to get rid of the popular and overambitious Napoleon for a while.
When did Napoleon set off for Egypt and with how many troops?
He left Paris in May 1798 with the Army of the Orient and 35,000 troops.
What island did Napoleon capture on his way to Egypt?
Malta.
How did Napoleon expand the Egyptian campaign into Syria?
Napoleon led 13,000 troops into Syria.
What happened at Jaffa during Napoleon’s Syrian campaign?
In March 1799, Napoleon took Jaffa and shot 2,000 prisoners.
Why was the Egyptian campaign considered a failure?
The British navy under Admiral Nelson destroyed the French fleet at Aboukir Bay in August 1798, cutting Napoleon off from France.
What happened to Napoleon’s plan to move into India?
It failed because of the destruction of the French fleet and logistical challenges.
What happened at Acre during the Egyptian campaign?
Napoleon had to abandon the siege because he underestimated the defenders’ resilience and British support.
Why did Napoleon’s occupation of Malta cause problems?
It angered Tsar Paul of Russia, the honorary head of the Order of St John.
Which countries joined the Second Coalition against France (1798–1799)?
Austria, Britain, Russia, the Ottoman Empire, Portugal, and German and Italian states.
What invasions did the Second Coalition carry out?
They mounted invasions in Italy, Switzerland, and an Anglo-Russian invasion of the Batavian Republic.
What was the impact of the destruction of the French fleet at Aboukir Bay?
It left Napoleon stranded in Egypt, unable to return to France or receive reinforcements.
Who led the British fleet that defeated the French at Aboukir Bay?
Admiral Horatio Nelson.
What was Napoleon’s relationship with the Directory after Egypt?
He remained popular, but the Directory was happy to see him leave France as he was considered overambitious.
What was the significance of Napoleon’s 1797 hero status?
He was seen as the saviour of the Republic after the Fructidor coup and enjoyed widespread popularity.
What was the strategic purpose of the Egyptian campaign in terms of France’s rivalry with Britain?
To disrupt British trade routes to India and the East Indies.
How did Napoleon’s actions at Jaffa affect his reputation?
His execution of 2,000 prisoners tarnished his image as a liberator.
What was the broader impact of the Egyptian campaign on European geopolitics?
It triggered the formation of the Second Coalition against France, leading to renewed warfare.
What lessons did Napoleon learn from the failure at Acre?
That local resistance and British support could thwart even his best-laid plans.
Why was the siege of Acre abandoned?
Napoleon underestimated the defenders’ resilience and British naval support made the siege unsustainable.
How did the Directory benefit from Napoleon’s departure to Egypt?
It temporarily removed a popular and overambitious general who might have threatened their authority.
