What if Napoleon was killed in battle?

Depending on the point in the Napoleonic Wars, do you think France would've went on without Napoleon's Tactical Genius?

I think France already threw the "old way" into turmoil with the revolution and "the terror", so no matter what the damage was done for Europe's monarchs.

As far as French ambitions go, I think that the death of Napoleon keeps France realistic about what it can and cannot do and there are no invasions, but instead defensive wars to keep the government in place.

Question: when Napoleon is killed in this scenario, are his reforms started, in place, or neither?

Cold War Communist wrote:I think France already threw the "old way" into turmoil with the revolution and "the terror", so no matter what the damage was done for Europe's monarchs.

As far as French ambitions go, I think that the death of Napoleon keeps France realistic about what it can and cannot do and there are no invasions, but instead defensive wars to keep the government in place.

Question: when Napoleon is killed in this scenario, are his reforms started, in place, or neither?

In place.

ScarletHistorian wrote:

Cold War Communist wrote:Question: when Napoleon is killed in this scenario, are his reforms started, in place, or neither?

In place.

In that case, my original response is the same.

ScarletHistorian wrote:Depending on the point in the Napoleonic Wars, do you think France would've went on without Napoleon's Tactical Genius?

I'd say it might actually stabilize or get much worse, The Marshalls would either take over or have a regent over Napoleon II, or the bourbons would try to return and end with a worse reign of terror scene, To be honest we don't really know/

Ok, let's get more specific...

Napoleon is badly wounded by a random canon shell exploding near him late in the day at Austerlitz. This has no effect on the outcome of the already decided battle, and because his physicians expect him to survive, it also has no impact on Austria's decision to surrender a few days later. Unfortunately, like "Stonewall" Jackson, in his weakened condition Napoleon develops a secondary infection of some sort. Over a period of days his condition deteriorates, he lapses into a coma, and dies on Christmas Eve, 1805. His death is not announced until after the signing of the Treaty of Pressburg two days later.

At this point in the Napoleonic Wars, Russia has effectively been driven from central Europe, Austria has basically surrendered, Prussia has not yet been pushed to the point where it is ready to go to war, the Iberian Peninsula has not been invaded, and the British control of the sea is now unchallenged in the wake of Trafalgar.

There is really no purpose for any side to pursue the war. France cannot contest British control of the high seas, and Britain has no legitimate hope of putting together a coalition that can defeat the French Army unless the French overplay their hand in some way, which is now very unlikely since Napoleon has died taking his ego with him.

Do France and Britain reach a negotiated peace? How long does the new peace last? Is the Confederation of the Rhine ever formed? Does France revert to a Republic, or does a new Strong Man arise? If so, who? Does the "War of 1812" ever take place?

If the peace reached between France and its enemies (led by England) is a lasting one, and France becomes a stable democracy controlling territory in northern Italy and southern Germany as it did in OTL from 1805 on, is there ever a unification movement in either Italy or Germany? If not, do we manage to avoid the "World Wars"? What does Europe look like today?