Cognitive Labs

University of Michigan professor Juan Cole has a new book on Napoleon and his invasion of Egypt. Napoleon claimed to liberate the people of Egypt from the Ottomans and to honor the beliefs of all "peoples of the book" aiming to return the Mediterranean to the ecumenical state it enjoyed during the early Roman empire, fitting, since he saw himself as a modern day Alexander or Octavian.

He hoped to choke off British sea access to India vis-a-vis the Red sea coast and the Nile, which was the preferred route before the building of the Suez Canal. Similarly, a few years later he approved the Louisana Purchase primarily to prevent the British and their allies in the Napoleonic wars from gaining a Gulf foothold in North America/Mississippi region from which they could harrass French possessions in the West Indies and to obfuscate their mercantile efforts.

Napoleon's promotion of meritocracy and liberte, fraternite, and equalite (which applied to everyone accept himself) antagonized aristocrats throughout Europe. His plan for one currency, the relaxation of trade barriers, and a universal legal code was the precursor of modern Europe. One could argue that the Duke of Wellington's British-Prussian victory at Waterloo inadvertently led to the two World Wars starting 99 years later. The battle started with a feint by the Napoeonic light infantry, a British response, and a mass assault of the Old Guard and the Young Guard, which failed, mainly because the muddy field negated effects of the usual French artillery barrage. Other factors included a poorly conceived cavalry charge commanded by Marshal Ney and the arrival of the Prussians about 2/3 of the way into the battle who attacked Napoleon's flank.

Bonaparte tried to flee to America in disguise and get a fresh start (the country of solace for rascals and ruffians in British eyes) but was captured by the British. Napoleon was considered a great hero in the U.S; for more than 15 years he kept England engaged in costly and wasteful actions in Europe while continuously threatening to invade the British Isles. As a result, Parliament and the King were deterred from attempting to re-acquire the Colonies. The War of 1812 was declared by the Americans in response to naval impressment; however the real aim was to amalgamate British North America into the U.S. The strategic goal of the British in the War of 1812 was primarily to defend Canada.

In the film, 15,000 Russian troops played Frenchmen in an Italian-Soviet production. Captain von Trapp plays the Duke of Wellington, and you almost expect him to break out in song.

Labels: juan cole, napoleon in egypt, waterloo