How the myth of Napoleonic invincibility began to crumble
By 1809, Napoleon Bonaparte’s dominance over Europe was under threat. This video examines the internal and external pressures, from the draining Spanish conflict to the failing Continental System, that signaled the beginning of the end for the French Empire.
While Napoleon achieved a significant but expensive win against Austrian forces at the Battle of Warlgram, the foundations of his power were fracturing. The film explores how the 'Spanish Ulcer'—a period of intense guerrilla warfare—exhausted French troops and morale.
Beyond the battlefield, the episode investigates the collapse of the Continental System and the domestic family tensions that weakened the Emperor's grip. These combined failures dismantled the image of an unstoppable empire, paving the way for the disastrous campaign into Russia.
Source: 1809-12: How The Napoleonic Machine Began To Fail
