Battle of Marengo
The War of the Second Coalition lasted between 1799-1801 and comprised Turkey, England, Austria, Russia and was the second attempt by European monarchs, led by Austria and Russia, to contain or eliminate Revolutionary France. They formed a new alliance and attempted to roll back France’s previous military conquests. Austria and Russia raised fresh armies for campaigns in Germany and Italy.
In 1799 European armies were successful: Austria drove the French back across the Rhine, a Russo-Austrian army drove the French out of Italy and Britain, under the Duke of York, drove the French out of Holland. A three-pronged attack was planned on France, by Britain, Austria and Russia.
- Britain would attack through Holland
- Austria would attack through Italy
- a Russian army would attack France through Switzerland, now known as the Helvetian Republic, as set up by France.
Bonaparte returned from Egypt in 1799, and overthrowing the government of the Directory, made himself, as First Consul, the head of the French state. In this position he was able more vigorously than ever to carry on the war with the Second Coalition; for a single head is always more powerful in war and diplomacy than a board of directors or a ministry dependent on parliament. In 1800 he overwhelmed Austria in the battles of Hohenlinden and Marengo, and in 1801 forced her to sign the treaty of Luneville. Russia had already withdrawn from the coalition, disgusted by the conduct of her allies and jealous of Austria. Great Britain alone remained, and Bonaparte seemed powerless to injure her. She maintained her hold on Malta and the Mediterranean and finally won back Egypt. She checked all Bonaparte’s attempts to aid the revolt in Ireland, and by winning the battle of Copenhagen, April 2, 1801, obtained the mastery of the Baltic. Bonaparte was master on the land, but Great Britain was still mistress of the sea.
After many negotiations during the year 1801, preliminaries of peace were agreed upon in London, October 1 and the Peace of Amiens was signed Mar 25, 1802.
Battles of the Second Coalition
- Battle of Novi (15 August 1799)
- Battle of Zürich (25–26 September 1799)
- Battle of Montebello (9 June 1800)
- Battle of Marengo (14 June 1800)
- Battle of Hohenlinden (3 December 1800)
