Relative to the Western way of war, the aspects of discipline, innovation, and finance best characterize warfare throughout the age of Napoleon. Placing these concepts within historical context, the continent of Europe experienced an enormous amount of change at the onset of the 19th century in response to the French and Industrial Revolutions. Knox and Murray regard these upheavals as catalysts contributing to the second and third military revolution. And, the new concepts introduced to warfare are labeled Revolutions in Military Affairs (RMAs). Identifying the RMAs associated with the age of Napoleon highlight the aspects of discipline, innovation, and finance and demonstrate they best characterize this time period. For example, multiple RMAs connected to Napoleonic Warfare
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Along with the French Revolution and the rise of nationalism, the Industrial revolution greatly influenced the continent. Specifically, both the French and the allies utilized economics as a means to defeat their opponent. For example, the French attempted to organize an economic war against Britain through the use of Napoleon’s Continental System. Here, the French strategy was to deny British goods from European consumers, described through the Berlin Decree of 1806, and then the Treaty of Tilsit signed with Russia the following year. Of note, this economic effort represented the largest financial tool of war made to this point in history. An interesting connection can be made to the fact that Napoleon’s decision to invasion into Russia, ultimately contributing to his downfall, was spawned by the idea that Russia reponed its ports to British merchant ships (Knight 2013). Or, Napoleons greatest mistake may have been propagated through decision made within context of this economic style of warfare. Furthermore, the fact that Britain was able to outpace France
Along with the French Revolution and the rise of nationalism, the Industrial revolution greatly influenced the continent. Specifically, both the French and the allies utilized economics as a means to defeat their opponent. For example, the French attempted to organize an economic war against Britain through the use of Napoleon’s Continental System. Here, the French strategy was to deny British goods from European consumers, described through the Berlin Decree of 1806, and then the Treaty of Tilsit signed with Russia the following year. Of note, this economic effort represented the largest financial tool of war made to this point in history. An interesting connection can be made to the fact that Napoleon’s decision to invasion into Russia, ultimately contributing to his downfall, was spawned by the idea that Russia reponed its ports to British merchant ships (Knight 2013). Or, Napoleons greatest mistake may have been propagated through decision made within context of this economic style of warfare. Furthermore, the fact that Britain was able to outpace France