On November 28, we visited the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a monument commissioned in 1806 by Emperor Napoleon to commemorate his stunning victory at the Battle of Austerlitz, a triumph often considered the pinnacle of his military success.
The Battle of Austerlitz, fought on 12/2/1805, is widely regarded as one of Napoleon's greatest achievements. He decisively defeated the combined forces of the Russian and Austrian Empires, ending the War of the Third Coalition. This victory forced Austria to sign the Treaty of Pressburg, ceding significant territory to France and its allies and withdrawing from the coalition.
However, Napoleon's success provoked fear across Europe, and a year later, a new alliance—the Fourth Coalition—was formed. Comprising Prussia, Russia, Britain, and other states, this coalition marked the beginning of a relentless series of conflicts. Napoleon's imposition of the Continental System, aimed at economically weakening Britain, further fueled resentment and led to prolonged wars, including the Peninsular War (1808–1814) in Spain and Portugal, and the disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812.
Some might draw parallels between Napoleon’s pursuit of European dominance in the early 19th century and China’s modern global ambitions through initiatives like the Belt and Road. Both seek influence on a grand scale, but their methods are fundamentally different. Napoleon wielded military might, resulting in enormous casualties, while modern China employs economic, technological, and diplomatic tools to expand its influence.
This distinction highlights a critical difference in outcomes. Military conquest often breeds enmity and short-lived gains, as seen with Napoleon, whose relentless wars hastened his downfall. In contrast, peaceful expansion, while not without challenges, tends to build partnerships and longer-lasting influence.
In 1806, Napoleon stood at the height of his power, his ambitions boundless and his authority as seemingly invincible and enduring as the Arc de Triomphe. Yet his reliance on force and the enemies it created ensured that alliances against him would strengthen and his empire would unravel and collapse even before the completion of the Arc which was completed in 1836. Less than a decade after his triumph at Austerlitz, his reign rushed to an end—a cautionary tale of empire overreaching and the fleeting nature of power built on conquest.