On this day 25 March

[7eat51]

On the 25th of March 1802, the Treaty of Amiens was signed, thus ending the French Revolutionary Wars. Charles Cornwallis – 1st Marquess Cornwallis – signed on behalf of the United Kingdom and Joseph Bonaparte – Napoleon’s eldest brother – was France’s signatory. Cornwallis arrived in France several months prior to negotiate the final treaty. Napoleon attained favorable terms by taking advantage of British pressure on Cornwallis to secure peace, pressure resulting from parliamentary budget concerns; England did not want the financial burden of continued war with France. Unfortunately, neither Great Britain nor France adhered to all of the conditions outlined in the treaty; for example, Britain failed to withdraw from strategic locations such as Egypt and Malta, and Napoleon continued expansionist activities on the continent. Ultimately, on the 18th of May 1803, Britain declared war on France, ushering in the Napoleonic Wars.

Charles Cornwallis – 1st Marquess Cornwallis:
2712

Joseph Bonaparte:
2713

The First Kiss:
2714

The Treaty:
http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/diplomatic/c_amiens.html


For more information on today’s event:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Amiens
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Treaty_of_Amiens.html

[Berthier]

Nice balanced report on the Treaty Eric. Usually the discussions are partisan as to who broke the treaty and ushered in another decade of conflict. Personally I think both sides were just taking a deep breath before going at it again, the stakes were too high.

[7eat51]

Thanks.

It didn't seem to me that either side really wanted peace. As you say, it seemed more like a breather. Britain was motivated by financial concerns, but did not trust Bonaparte nor desired to relinquish its holdings. Bonaparte was not finished with his empire-building desires. Any peace, therefore, was doomed from the outset.

It is hard to live in peace when the terms are forced or one-sided, when at least one party still desires to expand power, when any party has a feeling of superiority to the point they feel justified to take aggressive actions against another, or when it is maintained by the sword. There could be a temporary break from war, but no real peace.

[Sea Gull]

Didn't do much for us either. Income Tax was introduced to pay for the wars against Napoleon. Once the wars were over it was abolished in 1816, but less than 30 years later re-introduced - hell it was a money making scheme.

So, because of the Napoleonic Wars, the British have to pay income tax. :erk: