The Age of Napoleon Podcast

Napoleon finally had his deal with the Vatican, but how would the Concordat of 1801 change France? What would it mean for the future of the revolution, and millions of alienated French Catholics? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon continues in his attempt to reconcile with conservatives. He finally manages to bring the Vatican to the negotiating table for an historic agreement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon wanted to bring social harmony to France, but to do that, he needed to resolve the bitter conflict between the Catholic Church and the revolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conclusion to our discussion of the Napoleonic Code, plus the fate of France's crown jewels, the legal opposition to Bonaparte's regime, and women's rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonaparte finally takes the last legal step towards dictatorship, and we begin a discussion of his most important legacy: the Napoleonic Code. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Treaty of Amiens is greeted with celebrations around the world. With peace, Napoleon prepares to embark on an ambitious program of reform. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 8 years of war, Britain and France were finally on the road to peace, but reaching an agreement between such bitter rivals would be a long, arduous process. Fortunately, for both countries, an unlikely friendship between Joseph Bonaparte and Lord Charles Cornwallis paved the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After their defeat at Hohenlinden, the Austrians return to the negotiating table, resulting in a treaty that threw the entire future of the Holy Roman Empire into doubt. We examine Prussian diplomacy, and their ineffective young King's strange relationship with Napoleon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The War of the 2nd Coalition is winding down, but in the cut-throat world of Napoleonic diplomacy, peace could often prove elusive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Horatio Nelson continues to build his reputation as one of the most brilliant sailors of the age, but as his fame grows, the dark side of Nelson's character threatens to undermine his achievements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the outbreak of war, Nelson vows to either make his career or destroy himself in the effort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We examine the early career of Horatio Nelson, one of Napoleon's ablest and most implacable opponents. Nelson had good connections and showed great promise, but his temperament endangered his career almost as soon as it began. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon to sign up for the ad-free version. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Austria drops out of the war, leaving Britain to continue the struggle against France alone. Emperor Paul of Russia faces fierce opposition. The British navy gets itself into trouble in the Baltic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Marengo, Napoleon's secret police did battle with violent radicals in the political underground, culminating in a brush with death on Christmas Eve, 1800. For the ad-free version of the show, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon and pledge at least $2/month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does the Battle of Marengo deserve its reputation as one of Napoleon's greatest victories? We analyze the battle and examine its chaotic aftermath. If you'd like to listen to the show ad-free, visit: https://www.patreon.com/ageofnapoleon and pledge at least $2/month.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon marches against the Austrians yet again, with the future of his new regime hanging in the balance. What followed was one of the most dramatic and consequential campaigns of the Napoleonic Wars, culminating in the first great battle of the 19th century: Marengo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon outmaneuvers his rivals and forms a new government, then secures his position as dictator of France with an undemocratic referendum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer and political commentator Matt Christman returns for a conversation about the significance of the Coup of 18 Brumaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We examine the aftermath and significance of the Coup of 18 Brumaire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Napoleon makes a triumphant return to France, but finds the country no longer has any dire need of a military savior. Nonetheless, a plot was already underway in Paris that would soon culminate in Napoleon's seizure of power. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Derek Davison returns to discuss Middle Eastern history in the wake of the French Expedition. Topics include: the remarkable reign of Muhammad Ali, army reform, orientalism, and a possible 20th-century equivalent of Napoleon You can hear more from Derek at: https://fx.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Napoleon is away in Egypt, the revolution faces new struggles in Europe. Another coalition goes to war with France. One of history's greatest commanders faces off against the republic in Italy. Back in Paris, the government struggles to contain the resurgent left, and a jaded former idealist makes a surprising political comeback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Murat's cavalry secure another crushing victory over the Mamelukes, but news from France leads Napoleon to abandon the expedition (and his mistress), leaving General Kléber to pick up the pieces. We follow the expedition to its ignoble end, and examine what conclusions we can draw from this strange chapter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the dream of an eastern empire collapsing, Bonaparte launches an invasion of Syria against enormous odds, leading to some of the darkest episodes of his early career. We meet Pauline  Fourès, a young French woman who came to be nicknamed "Cleopatra." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The expedition's bad luck continues. The people of Egypt finally reach their breaking point. Cairo gets a taste of Napoleon's tyrannical side. Bonaparte receives a disturbing revelation about his personal life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices