Oh I'm with you there, the only reason I got back to this series was the try and help salvage Napoleon's reputation (Damn you Ridley!)
Oh I'm with you there, the only reason I got back to this series was the try and help salvage Napoleon's reputation (Damn you Ridley!)
I always felt Napoleon had the same problem OTL, it was not so much about ebating and settlign for a true nagotiation peace were all could agree upon, but having one up on the other great powers and rulers, to enforce his will upon them, wich was why he never truely could stop as long as he did not hold Europe in his hands and dominated much of the world before the British, Russians or other rivals.So what's the Nappy's endgame? He sure as hell can't beat Coalition in '14, and deep in his gut he knows it.
Then what's the point? IMO, if I were on his place in this TL, I would have realized that nothing beyond Rhine borders can be salvaged, and agreed to Austrian terms and with France's eastern borders secured, cease the bloodshed for good and try to make a deal with Britain to stop the blockade.
Of course that's me with hindsight, and without his ego.
There are in general two reasons here. One is ego, yes. Conquerors like him are never the types to back down, even when they really, really shouldn't. To be fair, for some it works out (Alexander the Great), and for others it doesn't (Charles XII of Sweden).Then what's the point? IMO, if I were on his place in this TL, I would have realized that nothing beyond Rhine borders can be salvaged, and agreed to Austrian terms and with France's eastern borders secured, cease the bloodshed for good and try to make a deal with Britain to stop the blockade.
Of course that's me with hindsight, and without his ego.
I also suppose, that when Napoleon inevitably loses, France will be worse off as a result of War of 6th Coalition, and won't just go back to 1789 borders of Kingdom. There were variety of plans to punish France, including giving string of border regions in Flanders, Lotaringia and Alsace to Austria and Prussia. Maybe, if war actually lasts into 1815 or even 1816, this plan might go into action.So what's the Nappy's endgame? He sure as hell can't beat Coalition in '14, and deep in his gut he knows it.
Then what's the point? IMO, if I were on his place in this TL, I would have realized that nothing beyond Rhine borders can be salvaged, and agreed to Austrian terms and with France's eastern borders secured, cease the bloodshed for good and try to make a deal with Britain to stop the blockade.
Of course that's me with hindsight, and without his ego.
I mean, compared to the Peace of Amiens, France is already losing extensive territories.I also suppose, that when Napoleon inevitably loses, France will be worse off as a result of War of 6th Coalition, and won't just go back to 1789 borders of Kingdom. There were variety of plans to punish France, including giving string of border regions in Flanders, Lotaringia and Alsace to Austria and Prussia. Maybe, if war actually lasts into 1815 or even 1816, this plan might go into action.
Sad story on both counts.Next one is gonna be awhile folks. The two things that stop Napoleon, Russian winters and my college life