War of the Fourth Coalition

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Definition

The War of the Fourth Coalition (October 1806 to June 1807) was a major conflict during the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815). The Fourth Coalition consisted of Russia, Prussia, Saxony, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, against the First French Empire, the Confederation of the Rhine, Polish rebels, and Spain. The war resulted in a French victory, solidified by the Treaties of Tilsit.

More about: War of the Fourth Coalition

Timeline

  • 9 Oct 1806
    Prussia declares war on France, sparking the War of the Fourth Coalition.
  • 10 Oct 1806
    French Marshal Jean Lannes defeats the Prussians at the Battle of Saalfeld; Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia is killed.
  • 14 Oct 1806
    The twin battles of Jena and Auerstedt result in the complete destruction of the Prussian army.
  • 25 Oct 1806
    Napoleon's Grande Armée occupies Berlin, after less than a month of campaigning.
  • 21 Nov 1806
    Napoleon issues the Berlin Decree, calling for a wide-scale embargo on British goods.
  • 11 Dec 1806
    The Treaty of Posen is signed; Saxony leaves the Fourth Coalition and sides with Napoleon.
  • 19 Dec 1806
    Napoleon enters Warsaw to great fanfare from the local Polish population, who expect him to restore Polish sovereignty.
  • 7 Feb 1807 - 8 Feb 1807
    The French and Russian armies fight the bloody, yet inconclusive, Battle of Eylau; both sides subsequently retreat into winter quarters.
  • 24 May 1807
    The Prussian city of Danzig falls to French troops after a siege; as a reward, French Marshal Lefebvre is ennobled as "Duke of Danzig".
  • 10 Jun 1807
    The Battle of Heilsberg results in a tactical Russian victory, as a French attack is hindered.
  • 14 Jun 1807
    Napoleon decisively defeats Bennigsen's Russian army at the Battle of Friedland, leading Bennigsen to ask for an armistice.
  • 25 Jun 1807
    Emperor Napoleon I of France and Tsar Alexander I of Russia meet on a raft in the Niemen River to discuss terms of peace.
  • 7 Jul 1807 - 9 Jul 1807
    The Treaties of Tilsit end the War of the Fourth Coalition; Prussia is subjugated to France, the Duchy of Warsaw is established in Poland, Russia becomes a French ally.
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