Napoleon in 1812

19. European Summit – 2

Naples was the fourth largest city in Europe after London, Paris, and Constantinople. The ruler of this place was Joachim Murat, the son of an innkeeper, who eventually became Marshal of France and King of Naples.

His position evaluated by European politics was only one of the lords of the French Empire’s numerous satellite states, but he thought of himself as the king of an independent country and was acting like that.

“I was wondering what the hell you were thinking… but you were preparing a surprise party like this? And a huge party at that, that’s going to make the whole of Europe buzz!”

It was a week before the Minister of the Administration Carnot delivered a speech calling for the necessity of peace among European countries in the Imperial Council. Joachim Murat smiled when he received a letter and invitation from the Tuileries Palace.

The letter, engraved with a pattern symbolizing the Bonaparte imperial family, contained Napoleon’s ambition to prepare a place to discuss balanced development and peace in Europe, along with a brief greeting to Murat himself.

Napoleon seemed to want to make this banquet, which was scheduled to be held at the Rohan Palace in Strasbourg, the headquarters of Europe.

It was added that it would be a place for all European country leaders to attend and discuss the future, regardless of the national power, governance, and reputation of their countries.

In short, it meant to recreate the Conference of Dresden[1], which brought together all the French allies, satellite states, and descendants of prestigious European families ahead of the Russian expedition in 1812…

Murat, who was basically an ignorant man but had a not-so-short career in Parisian politics, immediately doubted Napoleon’s intentions.

‘Resolution of a peace regime at this time? Napoleon wrote this? That’s nonsense!’

Obviously, he guessed that there would be something else insidious, but Murat’s limitations were only up to here.

That was why Murat often called the head of Salerno court for advice when he needed a political sense that was beyond his capability.

“This is a plan to ‘distinguish between good and bad’ led by His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire. The difference is that the scale is the whole of Europe.”

The head of the court read Napoleon’s invitation closely, thought for a moment and replied like this.

“Distinguishing between good and bad?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. To be exact, it should be seen as an act of clearly distinguishing between enemies and allies. Although it has not yet made an official position, the Empire will surely wage a war against Britain. Before that, it seems to be looking for comrades who will join the war.”

Napoleon’s letter was mainly about peace and harmony on the European continent, but the head of Salerno court spoke of war without any hesitation. His opinion was like this.

“British provocations cannot be tolerated by the Emperor. Also, the Empire has no intention of compensating for the damage demanded by Britain. The British know that, too. War is inevitable, and the two countries are secretly preparing for it.”

Nevertheless, it was clear why the British did not want to declare war. This was because they wanted France to break the Treaty of Madrid first. Naturally, it was to insist on the international community that they had justifications for war.

France would first create an excuse for them to go to war, and if the treaty was broken, Britain would be able to raise the will of its own people to wage war while gaining support from other powers.

However, this one move by Napoleon was powerful enough to overturn Britain’s plan at once.

“The harmony and coexistence of European countries are nothing but pretty words. Perhaps this is a justification for installing the next great strategy… That’s what I think.”

“That’s right. Although the Emperor has changed a lot, even his belligerent spirit and desire to conquer have not disappeared.”

“Bringing together the rulers of all European countries is a high-level intimidation to them, as they have to choose whether to follow or oppose an order coming from the French Empire.”

The Roman Empire in the past had used the same method. The rulers of all provinces were brought together at once to praise them and at the same time to establish hierarchical relationships. The provinces who opposed the call were repaid with fierce retaliation, punishment, and even purges.

The country rulers must know this. What it meant to refuse Napoleon’s call, and the heavy consequences that would come for them.

“Ahem… Is there any choice for our country?”

“…It goes without saying, Your Majesty. We must stand by the Empire’s side no matter what.”

The head of Salerno court sighed inwardly at the ignorant and greedy king and explained that the Empire’s allies and satellite countries were completely different. Murat, whether he liked it or not, had to participate in Strasbourg’s banquet and serve as a decoration as Napoleon’s faithful subordinate.

Murat, a low-born commoner, was able to become King of Naples thanks entirely to Napoleon and his sister, Caroline.

But what if he went against Napoleon and walked on his own path? The anti-French countries would welcome it with open arms, but Joachim Murat’s reputation and credibility would fall to the ground.

No, before that, the French would crush the Italian Peninsula to punish the traitor. Seeing Murat lost in thoughts, the head of the court felt frustrated, but he was grateful that his king was not stubborn.

In the end, Joachim Murat and his wife Caroline Bonaparte decided to participate in the Strasbourg banquet. Of course, none of the French satellite countries refused to participate.

Józef Antoni Poniatowski of the Kingdom of Poland, Eugène de Beauharnais, Viceroy of Italy, Joseph I of the Kingdom of Sardinia, Jérôme Bonaparte of the Kingdom of Westphalia, and other monarchs of the Confederation of the Rhine expressed their willingness to attend.

Murat swept his chest away, thinking that he almost became a loner, and the head of Salerno court looked slightly pitifully at his king.

===

All countries of the European continent gathered in one place to form a common council and rebuild the value of order, coexistence, and harmony for the future.

The topic raised by François Carnot was enough to heat up the whole of Europe.

And his speech that became a hot topic was named ‘Carnot’s Declaration’. It was not that there had been no attempt to unite Europe so far.

Frederick II, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, had proposed the idea of an allied army involving all European countries to counter the Mongol invasion, and before that, Pope Gregory VIII had issued a seven-year ceasefire in Europe and had urged all European powers to form a crusade to retake Jerusalem.[2]

However, the reason why Carnot’s Declaration was essentially different from these two previous cases was that he was asking to form a council.

Frederick II and Gregory VIII were motivated by wars based on grand causes with Christian values, asking for a European unity for this purpose, but Carnot’s Declaration preached peace, harmony, and future values of the European continent to prevent the tragedy of war itself.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe[3]: “The European spring that we’ve been waiting for is finally here. A land of culture and philosophy full of logic, order, dialogue and consultation, not a battlefield dotted with guns, slaughter, and malice, will unfold in Strasbourg!”

Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz: “I’ve always thought that only extraordinary figures with great will could block the blood waves flowing in Europe. We are now living the most historic moment since the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Pierre-Paul Prud’hon: “Proud citizens of France, our country is so great that even the title of ‘the Great’ is insufficient, so we will have to find something else. If you don’t know what to do now, just shout ‘Vive Sa Majesté !’ and sing the national anthem of the Empire.”

Antonio Salieri: “I really want to see the future of Europe that the Emperor of the Empire will lead. I’m sure the end will shine brightly like the Holy Grail and will be as sweet as Nectar, the divine drink.”

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel: “Martin Luther’s Ninety-five Theses[4] reformed religion, changed Europe, and changed the world. As I listened to François Carnot’s speech, I realized that we were at a turning point like then.”

Europe’s leading celebrities viewed this holy challenge with an extremely favorable gaze. For those who were immersed in the Enlightenment ideas, human equality, and romanticism, Napoleon and the French Empire were saints challenging the ideal they had only dreamed of.

In recent years, the atmosphere of France exuded a strong scent of ‘freedom and equality’, and Napoleon’s attitude deviated from authoritarianism and despotism, respecting cooperation and representation. As a matter of fact, the above change left a deep impression on renowned European philosophers, artists, and scholars, and Carnot’s Declaration was its highlight.

So far, no European monarch had sought coexistence and harmony within Europe. But such ideas were directly led by the head of a hegemony country who could surpass all neighboring countries with power and influence? It was unimaginable.

When the time and luck matched and the country reached its heyday, the monarch of a great country was always immersed in the war of conquest.

That had been the case for Mehmet II, Gustav II Adolf, Louis XIV, and even Frederick the Great, who was praised as an Enlightenment monarch.[5] Making the country strong was only a means of invasion and conquest, and no one seriously considered the lives of unknown, ordinary people.

France now also had the power to trample on other countries and to continue its conquest. The French had a terrifying force that would scare the entire continent as long as they mobilized troops.

Nevertheless, Napoleon and their cabinet came up with the banner of peace and harmony, citing the cause of the common people’s lives and the joint development of the continent.

It was for this reason that Austrian, Prussian, Russian, and even British celebrities praised Carnot’s Declaration. What was the noble value of the French Empire unless it was a true ‘revolution’?

On the other hand, monarchs and politicians paid attention to France from a slightly different perspective. They knew better than anyone else that there was no goodwill without national interest, and they had already learned the inhumanity, cruelty, and coldness contained in it.

If Napoleon really wanted permanent peace in Europe, he could just maintain the current state. Sacrifice the overall purpose for a illusory ideal? It was something that could never happen.

“It must be a play to show off the power of the Empire and the Emperor himself.”

“I think it’s intended to unite friendly forces before the war against Britain.”

“It is presumed to be a disguised offensive, talking about peace in the front and preparing for war in the back.”

Foreign ministries of each country naturally doubted France’s intentions while making these predictions. Intelligence organizations operating inside France were eager to obtain additional information.

European monarchs and rulers struggled to grasp Napoleon’s true intentions before deciding to participate in the Strasbourg banquet.

Soon after, as announced, invitations arrived from the Bonaparte imperial family to leaders of each country. The moment of decision had arrived.

===

The invitations sent by France could be largely divided into three categories. The first was sent to France’s satellite states.

Napoleon sent them an invitation assuming that they would naturally participate. It included requests on how to help the imperial event at the Strasbourg banquet.

The second was sent to neutral countries that had little to do with France. The invitation included how the participation of the talks would return to their national interests and how it would affect the support of citizens in the current system.

It could resemble a solicitation to attract customers, but it was certainly attractive for them. The problem was the invitation sent to France’s ‘formal’ allies.

“This is absolutely tyrannical and rude! It’s an insult to the spirit of Brandenburg, where the Great Prince (Friedrich Wilhelm) stood upright on the land, that’s what I’m saying!”

“What kind of vulgar words are those inside of His Majesty’s palace? Watch your words and actions, Prince of Wahlstatt!”

“If you had truly assisted His Majesty and the kingdom correctly, I wouldn’t have to come this far!”

The man roaring was Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher[6], with gray hair and a red face. The possible emergence of a European Council had caused the over 70-year-old man to jump up and run to the Berlin Palace.

His reckless demeanor was unhindered even in the palace hall (even if the king had not yet entered). There was no one to stop him because of his age, career, military rank, which was the best in the Prussian army, and because he was strongly supported by the main influential figures.

“His Majesty is entering. Everyone, please show courtesy.”

With the announce of a servant, Friedrich Wilhelm III[7] appeared with a face that could not hide his tiredness. He entered the hall, sat on the throne, and opened his mouth.

“Prussia is in trouble, it’s time for the wit and wisdom of the ministers.”

The court meeting was about to begin after the king appeared.

“I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty. The Viscount of Buckingham (the British ambassador) asked for the permission to enter.”

“Your Majesty! The Count of Boulogne (the French ambassador) is also waiting at the entrance of the hall to meet Your Majesty.”

Friedrich Wilhelm III’s face was filled with annoyance.

TL notes

[1] Conference of Dresden

[2] Frederick II, Pope Gregory VIII

[3] Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Julian Ursyn Niemcewicz, Pierre-Paul Prud’hon, Antonio Salieri, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

[4] Martin Luther: Ninety-five Theses

[5] Mehmed the Conqueror, Gustavus Adolphus, Louis XIV, Frederick the Great

[6] Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher

[7] Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia