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=== Napoleonic Wars === | === Napoleonic Wars === | ||
Baden was greatly affected by the Napoleonic Wars. Its proximity to France made it a prime target for French influence and invasion. Its ruler, the Margrave Charles Frederick, initially supported Austria in the French Revolutionary Wars. Baden was once again devastated by these wars. In 1796, Baden was forced to pay France an indemnity and cede territory on the left bank of the Rhine. In 1805, Baden joined the war on the side of the French. Baden took part in the French victories at Ulm and Austerlitz, after which the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_of_Pressburg Peace of Pressburg ]awarded Baden some Austrian territory. This treaty also marked the end of the[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Roman_Empire Holy Roman Empire], which was replaced by the French-created [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confederation_of_the_Rhine Confederation of the Rhine]. | |||
==== <br>The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_invasion_of_Russia_1812 French Invasion of Russia] ==== | ==== <br>The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon_invasion_of_Russia_1812 French Invasion of Russia] ==== | ||
<br>In June 1812, the ''Grande Armée ''invaded Russia. Of the early half a million men who crossed the Neman River on the way to Moscow, about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_of_the_French_invasion_of_Russia | <br>In June 1812, the ''Grande Armée ''invaded Russia. Of the early half a million men who crossed the Neman River on the way to Moscow, about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_battle_of_the_French_invasion_of_Russia 112,000 were German and 6,000 were from Baden]. Of those French and allied troops who entered Russia, it is estimated that around 400,000 died. If the same percentage, i.e. over 80%, is applied to all units, then nearly 5,000 Badeners died in Russia. <br>The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Leipzig Battle of Leipzig] in 1813 was a major turning point in the Napoleonic Wars and, indeed, European history. Involving more than 600,000 soldiers, it was the largest battle in Europe prior to World War I. Baden was at this time still a French ally. The battle lasted from for three days and resulted in enormous casualties, the French and their allies losing 38,000 killed or wounded. Many of these troops would have been Germans. The main result of the this battle was that Napoleon’s fortunes had waned and his German allies began to defect to the Allies. Baden was among the defectors. | ||
The social consequences of such large-scale and long-lasting wars are enormous. As invading armies come, they cause widespread destruction, destroying property and killing both people and animals. Such actions cause a decrease in population not only by the killings but by disease and starvation that might follow. It also causes emigration. Also, a large part of the male population was called up for service and absent from home for long periods of time. This would have led to more children being born out of wedlock, both at home, as women had children to men to whom they were not married when their husbands were away and soldiers who were stationed far from home fathering children while on campaign. In such cases, it might be impossible to tell who a father was or where a soldier fathered a child. | The social consequences of such large-scale and long-lasting wars are enormous. As invading armies come, they cause widespread destruction, destroying property and killing both people and animals. Such actions cause a decrease in population not only by the killings but by disease and starvation that might follow. It also causes emigration. Also, a large part of the male population was called up for service and absent from home for long periods of time. This would have led to more children being born out of wedlock, both at home, as women had children to men to whom they were not married when their husbands were away and soldiers who were stationed far from home fathering children while on campaign. In such cases, it might be impossible to tell who a father was or where a soldier fathered a child. | ||