The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. 3 (of 4)

The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte. Vol. 3 (of 4)

Poland and the Poles The Seat of War Change in the Character of Napoleon's Army The Battle of Pultusk Discontent in the Grand Army Homesickness of the French Napoleon's Generals His Measures of Reorganization Weakness of the Russians The Ability of Bennigsen Failure of the Russian Manuvers Napoleon in Warsaw. The key to Napoleon's dealings with Poland is to be found in his strategy; his political policy never passed beyond the first tentative stages, for he never conquered either Russia or Poland. The struggle upon which he was next to enter was a contest, not for Russian abasement but for Russian friendship in the interest of his far-reaching continental system. Poland was simply one of his weapons against the Czar. Austria was steadily arming; Francis received the quieting assurance that his share in the partition was to be undisturbed. In the general and proper sorrow which has been felt for the extinction of Polish nationality by three vulture neighbors, the terrible indictment of general worthlessness which was justly brought against her organization and administration is at most times and by most people utterly forgotten. A people has exactly the nationality, government, and administration which expresses its quality and secures its deserts. The Poles were either (p. 002) dull and sluggish boors or haughty and elegant, pleasure-loving nobles. Napoleon and his officers delighted in the life of Warsaw, but he never appears to have respected the Poles either as a whole or in their wrangling cliques; no doubt he occasionally faced the possibility of a redeemed Poland, but in general the suggestion of such a consummation served his purpose and he went no further. That he had no sentiment about Polish nationality is self-evident. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 27289
Author: Sloane, William Milligan
Release Date: Nov 17, 2008
Format: eBook
Language: English