Years Ago

200 YEARS AGO

5 April 1795: a financially-strained Prussia makes separate peace with Republican France, cedingthe leftbank of the Rhine to France (first Treaty of Basel). Saxony, Hanover and HesseCassel follow suit. Prussia switches its attention to Poland, where it is confronting Russia over the division of the spoils of a Poland, just conquered by the two powers.

During 1795 warfare continues against Austria and Sardinia and, in addition, the French overrun Baden, Wurttemberg and Bavaria.

190 YEARS AGO

March-April 1805: Preparations for the invasion of England continue. The Grande Armee, concentrated around Boulogne and the coast, is training hard. The infantry as well as the cavalry is trained to fire cannon.

Numerous landing craft are being constructed. Apprehension grips England. British diplomatic maneuverings seek to provoke a Continental War to avoid invasion. An AngloRussian alliance is signed on April 11.

180 YEARS AGO

1 March 1815: Napoleonreturns from Elba. Virtually unopposed he marches to Paris, stopping in Saulieu where he reassumes power on 20 March. At the Congress of Vienna, the Allies declare Napoleon an outlaw (13 March). They renew their mutual pledges and begin concentrating their forces to invade France once more.

March-April-June: Napoleon begins to reorganize his army. Displaying once more his amazing efficiency, by June he manages to field an army of some 190,000. In addition some 300,000 levies are training around the country.

Murat, who had managed to remain King of Naples, declares his support for Napoleon on March 31, but by the end of April the Austrians are closing in on him.