Klemens Von Metternich

Napoleon made many mistakes in his invasion into Russia. He was a brilliant leader, but in the later years of his life his tactical genius faltered, perhaps due to illness. His invasion was planned with little preparation or focus, and without proper purpose. Napoleon may have been affected by illness, or even arrogance because of his previous victories. He believed that he was infallible, and so he did not assess the situation correctly. His oversights cost him a victory and eventually his title as Emperor of France. The Russian campaign was the greatest catastrophe in his entire career and signalled to those opposing him that he was no longer indestructible. Prior to the defeat, many had believed Napoleon to be an undefeated military genius and because of this few wished to oppose him. The crippling Russian failure exposed a weakness which the enemies of France were quick to exploit. Napoleon himself realised this and hurried home to France in an attempt to stop news of the defeat from spreading, though this was in vain. Britain, Russia, Sweden and Prussia prepared to go to war with Napoleon. In the year following his defeat, Napoleon raised an army of around 400 000 to go to war against the allied powers. However, this army was inexperienced and outnumbered. The defeat of the Grand Army had rid France of its best soldiers, and many in the new army had never fought before. Napoleon’s empire was collapsing on every front.

After his father died in 1903, his mother allowed him to drop out of his school and 2 years later, he went to Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, Austria in order to become an artist. He failed in entrance exam and decided to remain in Vienna as a casual laborer and watercolor painter. A year later, he tried to take entrance exam and he failed again. While he run out of money, he moved into a homeless shelter and remained for several years. During his time in Vienna, he learned to hate non Germans. He was a German-speaking Austrian and considered himself as a German.

Catherine, II, the Great was born in Stettin, a German city on April 21, 1729 to Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerost and Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. Catherine, whose original name was Sophie Friederike-Auguste married in 1762 to the czarevitch Peter of Russia, but soon disposed of him and seized control of the government. Catherine made many great changes during her reign and made many opportunities available to the people living in her country during the time. Although she was a woman in a country in a time when men had control over everything, she rose above, saw what she wanted, and took over what she wanted. She knew what she wanted and she went for it, she was an amazing ruler of her time period.

July 11, 1767 in Braintree Massachusetts. He was the second child and first son of the

Born in Posdam, Germany, January 27, 1859, Wilhelm had one brother and four sisters. His father was Prince Frederick Wilhelm of Prussia, who married Princess Victoria, daughter of Queen Victoria of England. During his birth, which had some

An Austrian composer and performer who showed astonishing precocity as a child and was an adult virtuoso, musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born to Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria Pertl in Salzburg, Austria on January 27, 1756. Leopold Mozart was a successful composer and violinist and served as assistant concertmaster at the Salzburg court. Mozart and his older sister Maria Anna "Nannerl" were the couple's only

He was born in January 17 1706 and died in his sleep in 1790 and buried at a church in Philadelphia PA.

In 1796 as a young officer of 27 years old, Napoleon was given command of the French army in Italy. In his proclamation to his troops, Napoleon said, 'The two armies which but recently attacked you with audacity are fleeing before you in terror; the wicked men who laughed at your misery and rejoiced at the thought of the triumphs of your enemies are confounded and trembling.' Acts like this display the strong personality that Napoleon possessed and how his endearing nature captivated his troops. The control and support of the army was effective in enabling Bonaparte to eventually seize power.

“Most influential of these representatives in the Congress of Vienna was the foreign minister of Austria, Prince Klemens von Metternich” (Beck, 238). “At the Congress of Vienna, which convened after Napoleon’s abdication in 1814, Metternich shone brightly as the “coachman of Europe,” guiding policies and decision” (Peterson-Bennett, 632). The Austrian emperor, Francis I, who wanted a

A victorious battle for a commander, or more importantly, a glorious war for a German emperor, is needed in order for them to be considered successful. Which is why when Tjaden questions the use of war, Kat rebuffs him when he says, “...every full-grown emperor requires at least one war, otherwise he would not become famous,” Kat states this in a very matter-of-fact way, as if war was absolutely necessary to be seen as strong (206?) In order to be considered a dedicated leader on the front, the leaders must be harsh because they will be"... praised for being strict,"(44.) When the troops talk together like this, back and forth from each

Otto von Bismarck was born on April 1st 1815, in Schonhausen, Northwest of Berlin in the district of

From France's point of view, I think the Congress of Vienna's decisions were fair. At the time, France was a strong country and in order to insure a more peaceful continent, the Congress of Vienna strengthened the countries surrounding France by combining or grouping other countries together. Rather than taking complete power away from France, the Congress instead slightly weakened the French and strengthened the surrounding countries so they would not be so easily overpowered. By keeping France a fairly strong country, though it was no where near as powerful as they had been, it prevented all the countries in Europe form easily taking over another. This also kept France from any plots of retaliation. Plus, the Congress kept the people of France from regarding Napoleon as a martyr by exiling him to an island rather than killing him. By doing this the

He was born in the German town of Bonn on the 16th of December 1770. His grandfather Ludwig and his father Johann were both musicians. Johann was to act as little Ludwig's first music teacher, but Ludwig soon changed to the court organist C. G. Neefe. Passing eleven years of age, Ludwig deputized for Neefe, and at twelve had his first music published. He then stayed as Neefe's assistant until 1787, when at seventeen, he took off for Vienna. Even though Vienna was to be his home for the rest of his life, this first visit was short. On hearing that his mother was dying, he quickly returned to Bonn. Five years later he finally moved to Vienna to live and work.

Everyone knows that Napoleon was a great leader and commander but it is not as cut and dry as popular history makes it out to be. His great victory at Austerlitz cemented him as one of the greatest commanders in history. This battle is was a tactical masterpiece up there with Gaugamela and Cannae. However, there is more to analyze here than just the battle itself. Many aspects of war include mobilization, supply, training, moral, army structure etc. and all play a part in Napoleon’s victories and the creation of the French Empire. Another variable to consider is the quality of the armies led by Tsar Alexander I of Russia and the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II of Austria. The focus here is to look at how these aspects played a role in

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was probably the greatest genius in Western musical history. He was born in Salzberg, Austria on January 27, 1756. The son of Leopold Mozart and his wife Anna Maria Pertl. Leopold was a successful composer and violinist and assistant concertmaster at the Salzberg court.