Chapter IX

1808–1812

Napoleon’s two reverses between the Treaty of Tilsit and the
Congress of Erfurt—England sends an army to Portugal—Campaign
of Vimeiro and Convention of Cintra—The Revolution in
Spain—Joseph Bonaparte King of Spain—Victory of Medina del
Rio Seco and Capitulation of Baylen—Napoleon in Spain—Sir
John Moore’s advance—Battle of Corunna—The Resurrection
of Austria—Ministry of Stadion—Campaign of Wagram—Treaty
of Vienna—Campaign of 1809 in the Peninsula—Battle
of Talavera—Expedition to Walcheren—Napoleon and the
Pope—Annexation of Rome—Revolution in Sweden—Revolution in
Turkey—Treaty of Bucharest—Greatest Extension of Napoleon’s
dominions—Internal Organisation of the Empire—The new
Nobility—Internal reforms—Law—Finance—Education—Extension
of these reforms through Europe—Disappearance of
Serfdom—Religious Toleration—Reorganisation of
Prussia—Reforms of Stein and Scharnhorst—Revival of
German National feeling—Marriage of Napoleon to the
Archduchess Marie Louise—Birth of the King of Rome—Steady
opposition of England to Napoleon—Policies of Canning and
Castlereagh—Campaigns of 1810 and 1811 in the Peninsula—Signs
of the decline of Napoleon’s power between 1808 and 1812, 263