Borodino 2002

Saturday Lecture:
Jean Lochet:
The Peace Conference of Prague:
Negotiations with Napoleon
During the 1813 Armistice

by Russ Lockwood


Most English language sources say Napoleon rejected the Allies' proposals for peace, but it was the double-dealing Austrian minister Metternich who played a deadly game of delay and ultimatum that extended the war.

Jean wields his trusty pointer to highlight a particular point.

After the debacle of 1812, Prussia had declared war in March 1813 while Austria received an armistice from Russia in 1812 and was neutral in early 1813. When Prussia declared war, the "War Party" in Austria received a boost and Austria started to negotiate with Prussia and Russia.

Napoleon meanwhile hurriedly rebuilt his forces and staged a remarkable comeback with twin victories of Lutzen and Bautzen in 1813. At that time, an armistice was called on June 2. Both sides needed the armistice to re-organize, and Napleon worked to increase his cavalry (the lack of which cost him a decisive victory at Bautzen). Napoleon's victories quieted the Austrian war faction.

Napoleon offered Austria provinces lost in 1809 if Austria would remain loyal to France. Metternich professed loyalty, but negotiated behind the scenes to unseat the French. Metternich pushed for the return of France to its original borders, return of provinces, and turning Holland into an independent nation.

Napoleon wanted the House of Braganca to rule Portugal, Kingdom of Naples to be under Murat, Spain under Joseph, British to Sicily, Russia pull back to 1812 borders, and the 1807 Tilsit Treaty to remain intact. However, he was willing to compromise on some points, including dissolving the Confederation of the Rhine and turning the Duchy of Warsaw back over to the Russians and Prussians.

Timing 1813

June 2: Armistice declared.
June 15: Britain provides 2 million pounds sterling to Russia and Prussia to continue the war. Also offers Austria 600,000 pounds sterling to enter the war.
July 7: Metternich and Napoleon meet to discuss peace terms.
July 10: Peace Conference opens in Prague, armistice extended to August 10. The Negotiations proved to be nothing but a farce.
July 30: Metternich decides privately to go to war, and announces that the armistice will not extend past August 10.
August 5: Napoleon says "it will take at least 40 days to negotiate."
August 7: Metternich assures French minister Calaincourt that Austria is not with Prussia and Russia, but Napoleon must accept the Austrian ultimatum by August 10 or it will be war. Furthermore, Metternich says that any counteroffer received after August 10 is unacceptable.
August 9: Napoleon, in Paris, receives Calaincourt's report. To reply, even to agree, must be immediate. There is no time and no negotiation from the original conditions.
August 10: At midnight, Austria, Russia, and Prussia agree to their own terms.
August 12: Austria declares war against France.
August 17: Hostilities officially resume.

Summary

Metternich deliberately misled the French during the negotiations and furthered the path towards war by placing time restrictions on the negotiations. That there were no real negotiations was apparent with the ultimatum, even though Napoleon had seriously considered accepting many of the conditions.

On the other hand, who could blame Austria for wanting to take advantage of Napoleon's weakened state? The country had lost so many times that it was, in effect, a French satellite country, not a strong nation under its own monarchy.

More Borodino 2002 Napoleonic Conference

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