Hard Fried History Hard Fried History

What were the major causes of the collapse of the Napoleonic empire? What happens when a nation that could be considered "too big to fail" fails anyway? In our conclusion of our French affair, we cover the devastation of Napoleon's war in Spain, his ruinous march to Moscow, the snuffed flame of Waterloo and his remaining days in exile.  

How did Napoleon and the armies of France build the Continental system? In this episode we explore the Eastward expansion of the Napoleonic empire, covering topics such as Napoleon's early conflicts with the papacy, the Battle of Austerlitz and the early origins of the "Spanish ulcer." 

How did the French Revolution shape Napoleon Bonaparte's view on effective governance? What exactly are the origins of the 'Corsican Ogre?' In this episode we begin the second installment of our six-part series, discussing Napoleon's beginnings, his place within the French Revolution, the Italian campaign and the coup of Brumaire, commonly cited as the end of the Revolution itself. 

What were the worst abuses of the French Revolution? Why were Revolutionary champions such as Danton and Robespierre not ultimately immune from the guillotine? Are there ever noble-enough ends to justify excessive means? This week we explore these topics in the conclusion of our series on the French Revolution, covering the decisions leading up to the Great Terror, the formation of the Committee of Public Safety and what finally undid (consecrated?) the Revolution itself. 

After the initial upheaval, how are revolutions navigated? What forms do effective dissent take? Is the term 'mob-rule' necessarily synonymous with 'majority-rule'? In this episode, Henry and Josh continue their examination of the French Revolution following the fall of the Bastille and the arming of the citizens, glancing at the French attempt to create a new constitution, the organization and then polarization of the ascendent under-class and the rise of a group of idealists known as the Jacobins. 

How do we know for sure when a nation is definitively and indisputably beyond redemption? What are some large portents or warning signs that indicate a country is on its last legs? In sum, how are revolutions built? Josh and Henry RETURN from their hiatus with the first in a three-part installment covering the rise and fall of French Revolution, discussing in this episode the social and economic factors that led up to the storming of the Bastille, including France's fiscal shortcomings, a widespread disbelief in competency of the ruling class and, to top it all off, a food crisis.