Napoleon killed after 1st French Revolution War

[Max Sinister]

The POD is either to the end of the first French Revolution War (1792-97) or during the time between the first two wars (1797-99). So or so, Napoleon is killed - a stray shot, assassins because some people found him too dangerous, catching a disease in Egypt, something like that.

Could the young French republic survive under the Directory? Some sources say that France was practically broke at that time... and when the 2nd Coalition War breaks out, do they have a realistic chance to survive without Napoleon's genius?

 

[fhaessig]

The POD is either to the end of the first French Revolution War (1792-97) or during the time between the first two wars (1797-99). So or so, Napoleon is killed - a stray shot, assassins because some people found him too dangerous, catching a disease in Egypt, something like that.

Could the young French republic survive under the Directory?

Under the directory? No. Corruption was rife and the people have had enough. There were already a number of conspiracies, some of which, like Hoche's, came within a hair of suceeding. The time had come for a Man on a White Horse.

If Napoleon is dead, the conspirators which tried to use him as a figurehead ( that plan didn't quite work )will turn to the next most popular sucessfull general. That being Massena at this point.

Massena was greedy, but also really a republican. He will take power to save the Revolution ( and also to enrich himself ) but he will never proclaim himself emperor. France will stay a consulate, maybe even with a consul for life - but I doubt it -, republic.

Some sources say that France was practically broke at that time... and when the 2nd Coalition War breaks out, do they have a realistic chance to survive without Napoleon's genius?

Most definitely yes. Most of the genius of Napoleon was in the Grande Armée. From the Veteran troops to the Marshals, from the generals to the arty corp inherited from the royal army. Those are still here. Not to mention Massena was not bad himself when it came to war ( just ask Wellington ).The 2nd coalition is going to get crushed on land, no question about it.

However, a point to think about is whether the war will rekindle with England as it did OTL. Massena will have no problem evacuating North Italy; it wasn't HIS conquests, so the war party in England has one less pretext. The war could be postponed for a cvouple years, or even not include Uk in the coalition; Either would be very good for France.

Finally, Massena would not put his brother on the throne of Spain and would avoid attack Russia is he could. He also didn't have Napoleon's ambition.

Most likely the french revolutionary wars stop around 1808, with the map of Western Europe redrawn and France stays a Consulate republic untill nowadays.

 

[Max Sinister]

*bump*

I also wonder whether the French would set up some new republics in Germany like they did in Italy - maybe a Hessian republic, a Saxon republic, a Frankian / Franconian republic, a Swabian republic - it all depends how far they go into Germany.

(Side thought: Maybe they decide to name the new states after people from classic times, like they did with the Ligurian republic - so we might see a Marcomannian republic, or an Ubian republic at the Rhine, and so on.)

 

[Iñaki]

originally posted by fhaessig
Finally, Massena would not put his brother on the throne of Spain and would avoid attack Russia is he could.

So, Spain would remain as an allied of France.

If Massena not attacks Russia, Is possible in the future an alliance of Russia and France or the ideologies (autocratian Russia and Republican consular France) could be a serious problem to this alliance?.

originally posted by Max Sinister
I also wonder whether the French would set up some new republics in Germany like they did in Italy - maybe a Hessian republic, a Saxon republic, a Frankian / Franconian republic, a Swabian republic - it all depends how far they go into Germany.

It could be Massena decides that natural frontier of France is the Rhine and that attempt to create republics in Germany is overextends too much the French power.

 

[Faeelin]

However, a point to think about is whether the war will rekindle with England as it did OTL. Massena will have no problem evacuating North Italy; it wasn't HIS conquests, so the war party in England has one less pretext. The war could be postponed for a cvouple years, or even not include Uk in the coalition; Either would be very good for France.

Hmm. I'm not so sure I agree with this one. France has always wanted to dominate northern Italy, and I don't see any reason tot hink that Massena would want to do so as well.

 

[fhaessig]

Hmm. I'm not so sure I agree with this one. France has always wanted to dominate northern Italy, and I don't see any reason tot hink that Massena would want to do so as well.

Well Massena's Own victories were in Switzerland rather than North Italy, so he didn't have Napoleon's interest in maitaining the prestige of conquest.

As for domination, the 'sister' republic was under the shadow of france; All that Amiens imposed was to get the french troops back to France, The influance would still be there.

 

[larpsidekick]

I'm not certain it would have been Massena - while a suitable candidate, Lefebvre was actually considered for the Napoelon role by the Directory because of his support in the army. Luckily for Napoleon, he turned it down. Without Napoloen, he may have taken the chance.

However, both he and the dear child of victory were not Napoleon. Massena was sated by his promotion to Marshal, and lost his drive. Lefebvre was an excellent organiser, but less of a battlefield leader.

Without Napoleons drive, maybe France would have accepted the Natural boundaries that the rest of the continental powers would grant them, preventing the wars that bear his name in OTL, while extending the duration of the republic (which ended even in name in 1804) - possibly encouraging others?