Game Groups > Historical conflict: Napoleonic Wars

This group includes games that take place during (and are about) the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). Not to be confused with the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802), which were concerned with defending the French First Republic and the revolutionary ideals of 1789. Most titles in this group are strategy games, Napoleon being widely recognized as a military genius himself.

Background: The Napoleonic Wars are a series of military conflicts fought by France and its smaller allies on one side, and several coalitions headed primarily by the British Empire on the other. The coalitions came to include a different number of other countries across the years, with Austria, Prussia and Russia committing the most in blood. Napoleon ended up conquering most of continental Europe through military victories and diplomatic efforts, installing members of his family at the head of various petty states and forcing alliances on defeated enemies. Despite having the humanistic gains made by the French Revolution of 1789 as a main premise, the belligerent countries were not driven only by ideological reasons. The coalitions wanted to reestablish the balance of power and maintain the previous territorial status quo on the European continent, while the France-Britain antagonism was fueled by a centuries-old rivalry. On the other side, Napoleon's ambition was determined mainly by his personal appetite for conquest.

While Napoleon has fought as a soldier or as a general since the War of the First Coalition (1792-1797), most historians place the start of the Napoleonic Wars in 1803, when Napoleon, having absolute power in France, had repeatedly breached the peace signed at Amiens in 1802, thus giving start to the War of the Third Coalition (1803-1806). Others consider that this particular series of conflicts started in 1799, when Napoleon seized the power in the country and named himself consul.

The wars marked a turning point in military history, as mass conscription, implemented by both sides, meant that an unprecedented amount of soldiers fought in battles. In terms of technology, the armies were better equipped thanks to mass-produced weaponry, and the role of artillery in military tactics increased. The Napoleonic Wars caused millions in casualties worldwide, and together with the Seven Years' War (1754-1763) is regarded as a prelude to the World Wars of the next century. The greatest battles were fought at Trafalgar (1805), Austerlitz (1805), Jena (1806), Borodino (1812), Leipzig (1813) and Waterloo (1815).

Related Links: * Wikipedia: Napoleonic Wars