
In Our Time Napoleon and Wellington
15 snips
Oct 25, 2001 In this conversation, historian Andrew Roberts, Napoleonic specialist Mike Broers, and Wellingtonian culture expert Belinda Beaton delve into the fierce rivalry between Napoleon and the Duke of Wellington. Discover Napoleon’s underestimation of Wellington before Waterloo and the curious parallels of their lives. They discuss Wellington's strategic triumphs in the Peninsular War and military innovations from both leaders. Finally, explore their legacies and how their respect for each other shaped history, highlighting the complex dynamics of their rivalry.
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Emperor And State Pressures
- Napoleon governed as head of state and faced complex political, economic and cultural pressures at home.
- Belinda Beaton explains Napoleon created an 'emperor cult' partly to sustain artisans' employment and social order.
Speed, Fitness And Cavalry Shock
- Napoleon's armies prioritized speed, fitness, and integrated cavalry to break 18th-century linear tactics.
- Mike Broers argues this corps mobility and cavalry training created shock forces unseen at Austerlitz.
Levée En Masse As Military Revolution
- The levée en masse gave Napoleon a revolutionary quantitative advantage when coupled with leadership and logistics.
- Andrew Roberts compares its impact to a proto-blitzkrieg enabling deep 1812 operations.



