French Wars- The land battles under Wellington

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Why did Britain mainly fight coastal battles?
Needed navy for supply and retreat
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What was the impact of Britain taking French and Spanish colonies?
More strategic bases and trade routes
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What was a major problem for the British fighting in colonies?
Tropical disease
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When was the British evacuation from Belgium?
1794
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Why were the British forced to evacuate from Belgium?
Poor supply and locistics
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In which battles in India did Wellington defeat much larger Indian forces?
Battle of Assaye, Battle of Argaum
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What were the impacts of Indian campaigns for Wellington?
Returned home a national hero with a knighthood
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When was the Peace of Amiens?
1802
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Why did the Peace of Amiens break down?
Britain lost international markets and France threatened colonies after Napoleon took Switzerland
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What was the name given to British subsidies to Allies during the wars?
The Golden Cavalry of St George
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When did Napoleon invade Russia?
1812
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What did the invasion of Russia create?
A war on 2 fronts
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What started the Peninsular War?
The French alliance with Spain broke down
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What was the name of the Spanish rebels who led the ongoing guerilla war in Spain?
Junta
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What were the problems with the Junta?
Ill-equipped, poorly led, poorly trained
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After which battle in the Peninsular War did the British retreat?
The Battle of Corunna
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What year did Napoleon have the most land in his whole career?
1810
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What was the Treaty of Fontainbleau?
First abdication of Napoleon to Elba
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When was the Treaty of Fontainbleau?
1814
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When was the Battle of Vimeiro?
1808
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What happened at the Battle of Vimeiro?
Wellesley ordered skirmishes to lure the French over a hill, with camouflaged soldiers waiting on the other side. The French were trapped and attempted a dogged retreat uphill
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What was the Convention of Cintra?
The agreement of Wellesley's superior officers to allow a French surrender after Vimeiro
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When was the Battle of Douro/ 2nd Porto?
1809
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How did Wellesley prepare for the Battle of Douro/ 2nd Porto?
Trained 30,000 men including Portuguese troops
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What happened in the Battle of Douro/ 2nd Porto?
Wellesley crossed the Douro River in small numbers, initiating a surprise attack. The French retreated due to an overestimation of the size of British forces
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What was the main impact of the Battle of Douro/ 2nd Porto?
French left behind supplies and guns, delaying French supply
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When was the Battle of Talavera?
1809
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What happened in the Battle of Talavera?
Heavy losses on either side, but Portugal was safe from invasion
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How did Wellesley prepare for the Battle of Bussaco Ridge?
Recruited and trained men during the winter, prepared the Lines of Torres Vedras
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What happened at the Battle of Bussaco Ridge?
Tactical retreat to the Lines of Torres Vedras, while avoiding being outflanked
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How long were the Lines of Torres Vedras?
40 miles from the sea to the River Tagus
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What was the layout of the Lines of Torres Vedras?
3 lines- the first weakly defended, the second strongly defended, and a third at a port in anticipation of retreat
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What happened during the winter of 1810/1811?
Wellesley reinforced the first line, and Massena was trapped in between the lines, so his men starved and died from hypothermia
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Why didn't Wellesley follow Massena after he escaped the Lines in 1811?
He knew his forces weren't strong enough to invade Spain`
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When was the Battle of Salamanca?
1812
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What happened at the Battle of Salamanca?
The French believed the British to be a small force, as British forces were largely hidden behind a ridge. Wellesley surprise attacked and pushed to Madrid
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Why did Wellesley return to Portugal in 1815?
Supply lines ran thin, as Madrid was not on the coast
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What were the orders for British troops remaining in Madrid in 1815?
Retreat if attacked
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When was the Battle of Waterloo?
1815
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What happened at the Battle of Waterloo?
Napoleon started late due to wet ground being unfavourable for artillery, Wellesley sheltered troops behind ridges and in farm houses, both cavalries were heavily weakened before the Prussians showed up. Before this, it was anyone's game
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What did Wellesley call the Battle of Waterloo?
'the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life'
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What did Wellesley say when the Battle of Waterloo was almost over?
'No cheering my lads, onwards, and complete your victory'
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How did Wellesley ensure a good supply system?
Kept troops close to the shore
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What did Wellesley do before battles which led to success?
Studied Napoleon's tactics, organised defences using the landscape, trained troops
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Why was Wellesley popular among the men?
National hero, kept army well-paid, well-fed, and well-trained, knew when not to fight so reduced casualties, increasing morale
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Card 2

Front

What was the impact of Britain taking French and Spanish colonies?

Back

More strategic bases and trade routes

Card 3

Front

What was a major problem for the British fighting in colonies?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

When was the British evacuation from Belgium?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why were the British forced to evacuate from Belgium?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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