Half a billion dollars is a relatively small number in today’s world but back then that amount of money was an ungodly sum that could’ve bankrupted most other European nations.
Britain spent astronomical sums of money on the war against France and Napoleon. The national debt of Britain surged to about a billion pounds, even more so if you include the costs of the revolutionary wars. The war was financed by levying heavier taxes, willing investors and of course war bonds. The British army expanded sixfold and the navy grew faster and bigger still. But in the estimation of the government it was still cheaper to bankroll the armies of Europe than getting involved more directly in the war themselves.
There is a really great video on the Congress of Vienna from the channel "Historia Civilis". Maybe you can react to that after the Napoleonic series is over? That also obviously features Metternich heavily.
I find it strange that Lützen was the place of battle in 1814 because it was also the location of one of the most important and famous battles of the Thirty Year's War, in which Albrecht von Wallenstein and Gustav Adolf II. of Sweden confronted each other, the latter loosing his life.
Its not that strange simply due to geography. That part of Austria and Southern Germany is a crossroads between Western Europe, central Europe, Northern Germany, Alps/Italy, etc. Many small towns and villages in that region have had multiple battles named after them, let alone major/strategic cities. Speaking of Gustavis Adolphus, his victory at Breitenfeld was just the first of battles at Breitenfeld in the 30 Years War. The 2nd battle was 11 years after the first and 8 years after Lutzen, commanded by Lennart Torstensson. This battle is also sometimes called the First Battle of Leipzig. Sound familiar?
@@Alderak1 I think your comment had a strong and unnecessary "know-it-all" attitude. We should all try to discuss things like this objectively, not arrogantly school each other about things the other might already know. Of course some places attract more military action than others (Dresden and Leipzig were places of engagements in several wars because they were important), but Lützen is a relatively small town and two major battles in two different wars is not a very common occurance in such a case.
@@panther7748 It was not my intention in my original comment to sound harsh or critical in any way, however based on the description I am not entirely sure what words I wrote that you take issue with, specifically. I feel that your use of the word "arrogant" is harsher than anything I've typed. Furthermore I don't see how you try to say my comment has a "know-it-all" attitude right after replying "I am from Leipzig and know the history of my region" to me. I was only trying to reply to your opinion with my own, while providing my reasoning; Even if I knew that your were knowledgeable about the area's history, you're not the only one who might read my comment. And speaking "objectively", as you say: Lützen is less than 20km from Leipzig. Although Lützen not a major urban center, and it sits at the very center of the largest relatively open area just west of the city along the Via Regia, one of the main routes going into Leipzig. For this reason it and as such it is the main village in the immediate area. Case in point, the Napoleonic battle of Lützen is named after the town despite the closest troops being at least 3km away and there being at least 10 named villages closer to the battlefield. It is sometimes instead called the battle of Großgörschen for this reason. In the 1632 battle however, is more aptly named as Lützen anchored the flanks of both armies. These 2 battles share a name but they did not occur at the same battlefield. That being said both battles of Lützen (and both battles of Breitenfeld) happened where they did due to their respective proximity to Leipzig. Rather than "weird", I think its perfectly logical that multiple battles have happened at Lützen and many other small towns, there is only so many small towns surrounding Leipzig and other major cities.
It was impossible to have peace between Alexander and Napoleon. Alexander said "C'est lui ou moi. On ne peut pas régner ensemble sur l'Europe !"/"It's him or me. We can't rule together over Europe!" Napoleon even planned to recross the River Niemen in 1813 to have his revenge.
What I found interesting is that in 1813 most diplomats wanted/demanded/required that Napoleon make concessions. Talleyrand said that Napoleon need to be King of France (return to France's frontiers of 1791. At Dresden, Napoleon was asked to give up Poland, Germany, Spain (ongoing), the Illyrian Provinces, Rome and Naples. And Napoleon knew that if he accepted one concession then the coalition wouldn't stop asking him to make concessions.
Apparently one of the main reasons that Napoleon refused to accept the terms of his enemies was that he simply didn’t trust them to honor their promises or guarantees. And to be fair to him, he had a point (though he too was guilty of having broken his word)
Half a billion dollars is a relatively small number in today’s world but back then that amount of money was an ungodly sum that could’ve bankrupted most other European nations.
Remember the battle of vitoria comes before leipzig
Britain spent astronomical sums of money on the war against France and Napoleon. The national debt of Britain surged to about a billion pounds, even more so if you include the costs of the revolutionary wars. The war was financed by levying heavier taxes, willing investors and of course war bonds. The British army expanded sixfold and the navy grew faster and bigger still. But in the estimation of the government it was still cheaper to bankroll the armies of Europe than getting involved more directly in the war themselves.
I'm from Leipzig, so I'm exited to see your reaction to the "Battle of the Nations". :D
There is a really great video on the Congress of Vienna from the channel "Historia Civilis". Maybe you can react to that after the Napoleonic series is over? That also obviously features Metternich heavily.
That is definitely happening. Been on my list for a while
@@VideoLife146If it helps the chances I second his reaction and really hope you can react to that two part series after the Napoleon series.
I find it strange that Lützen was the place of battle in 1814 because it was also the location of one of the most important and famous battles of the Thirty Year's War, in which Albrecht von Wallenstein and Gustav Adolf II. of Sweden confronted each other, the latter loosing his life.
Its not that strange simply due to geography. That part of Austria and Southern Germany is a crossroads between Western Europe, central Europe, Northern Germany, Alps/Italy, etc. Many small towns and villages in that region have had multiple battles named after them, let alone major/strategic cities. Speaking of Gustavis Adolphus, his victory at Breitenfeld was just the first of battles at Breitenfeld in the 30 Years War. The 2nd battle was 11 years after the first and 8 years after Lutzen, commanded by Lennart Torstensson. This battle is also sometimes called the First Battle of Leipzig. Sound familiar?
@@Alderak1 I am from Leipzig and know the history of my region, no need to behave this way.
@@panther7748 Behave in what way? Are you saying my comment rude or something? I don’t know what you’re referring to.
@@Alderak1 I think your comment had a strong and unnecessary "know-it-all" attitude. We should all try to discuss things like this objectively, not arrogantly school each other about things the other might already know. Of course some places attract more military action than others (Dresden and Leipzig were places of engagements in several wars because they were important), but Lützen is a relatively small town and two major battles in two different wars is not a very common occurance in such a case.
@@panther7748 It was not my intention in my original comment to sound harsh or critical in any way, however based on the description I am not entirely sure what words I wrote that you take issue with, specifically. I feel that your use of the word "arrogant" is harsher than anything I've typed. Furthermore I don't see how you try to say my comment has a "know-it-all" attitude right after replying "I am from Leipzig and know the history of my region" to me. I was only trying to reply to your opinion with my own, while providing my reasoning; Even if I knew that your were knowledgeable about the area's history, you're not the only one who might read my comment.
And speaking "objectively", as you say: Lützen is less than 20km from Leipzig. Although Lützen not a major urban center, and it sits at the very center of the largest relatively open area just west of the city along the Via Regia, one of the main routes going into Leipzig. For this reason it and as such it is the main village in the immediate area. Case in point, the Napoleonic battle of Lützen is named after the town despite the closest troops being at least 3km away and there being at least 10 named villages closer to the battlefield. It is sometimes instead called the battle of Großgörschen for this reason. In the 1632 battle however, is more aptly named as Lützen anchored the flanks of both armies. These 2 battles share a name but they did not occur at the same battlefield. That being said both battles of Lützen (and both battles of Breitenfeld) happened where they did due to their respective proximity to Leipzig. Rather than "weird", I think its perfectly logical that multiple battles have happened at Lützen and many other small towns, there is only so many small towns surrounding Leipzig and other major cities.
It was impossible to have peace between Alexander and Napoleon. Alexander said "C'est lui ou moi. On ne peut pas régner ensemble sur l'Europe !"/"It's him or me. We can't rule together over Europe!" Napoleon even planned to recross the River Niemen in 1813 to have his revenge.
What I found interesting is that in 1813 most diplomats wanted/demanded/required that Napoleon make concessions. Talleyrand said that Napoleon need to be King of France (return to France's frontiers of 1791. At Dresden, Napoleon was asked to give up Poland, Germany, Spain (ongoing), the Illyrian Provinces, Rome and Naples. And Napoleon knew that if he accepted one concession then the coalition wouldn't stop asking him to make concessions.
Apparently one of the main reasons that Napoleon refused to accept the terms of his enemies was that he simply didn’t trust them to honor their promises or guarantees. And to be fair to him, he had a point (though he too was guilty of having broken his word)
Also all the lives lost fighting for all that territory it’s hard to go backwards.
12:02 about like half a million troops would be alive