The Impact of Napoleon
Prussian High Politics, Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Executive, 1797–1806

An examination of Prussia's response to Napoleon and Napoleonic expansionism between 1797 and 1806.

Brendan Simms (Author)

9780521893855, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 27 June 2002

408 pages, 3 maps
22.9 x 15.4 x 2.6 cm, 0.717 kg

' … a most valuable contribution to the field of Napoleonic studies, and to modern German history in English'. English Historical Review

This book examines Prussia's response to Napoleon and Napoleonic expansionism in the years before the crushing defeats of Auerstadt and Jena, a period of German history as untypical as it was dramatic. Between the years 1797 and 1806 the main fear of Prussian statesmen was French power, rather than revolution from below. This threat spawned a foreign-policy debate characterised by geopolitical thinking: the belief that Prussian policy was conditioned by her unique geographic situation at the heart of Europe. The book breaks new ground both methodologically and empirically. By combining high-political and geopolitical analysis, it is able to present a more comprehensive and nuanced picture than earlier interpretations. The book also draws on a very wide range of sources, official and unofficial, many previously unused.

1. Introduction
Part I. The Structures: 2. The structure of Prussian politics during the early reign of Frederick William III
3. Problem areas of Prussian policy and politics: the centres of attention abroad, 1797–1804
4. Problem areas of Prussian policy and politics: the centres of attention at home, 1797–1804
Part II. The Events: 5. The failure of neutrality: Prussian policy and politics, October 1804–September 1805
6. Delayed decisions: Prussian policy and politics, October 1805–February 1806
7. The Hanoverian crisis: Prussian policy and politics, March–June 1806
Part III. The Responses: 8. Facing Napoleonic France: Prussian responses to the French threat, 1804–1806
9. The search for decision: Prussian Reform attempts immediately before Jena
10. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]