Treaty of Potsdam (1805) facts for kids
| Signed | 3 November 1805 |
|---|---|
| Location | Potsdam |
| Signatories | |
| Parties |
The Treaty of Potsdam was an important agreement signed on November 3, 1805. It was made between Alexander I, the leader of Russia, and Frederick William III, the king of Prussia. This treaty happened during a big conflict called the War of the Third Coalition.
The agreement said that Prussia would try to help Napoleon's French Empire and Russia talk things out. If these talks didn't work, Prussia promised to join the Third Coalition against France.
Contents
Why the Treaty Was Needed
Europe at War
From 1791 to 1802, Europe was caught up in the French Revolutionary Wars. France fought against many other countries. By 1797, France had beaten the armies of the First Coalition. Then, the Second Coalition formed in 1798. But France defeated them too by 1802.
Peace came when Britain and France signed the Treaty of Amiens on March 25, 1802. However, this peace did not last long. Britain declared war on France again on May 18, 1803. This started the War of the Third Coalition. After two years, other European nations decided to join Britain.
Napoleon's Growing Power
Napoleon was the powerful leader of France. He took control of several areas like Genoa, Piedmont, Naples, and Elba. He also changed the Cisalpine Republic into the Italian Republic. Napoleon even crowned himself emperor, like the ancient ruler Charlemagne. He also made the Holy Roman Empire smaller. These actions broke the Treaty of Amiens.
Because of Napoleon's actions, the Austrian Empire thought about joining the war. Britain offered Austria gold to help. Russia and Britain first disagreed on some points. But then, Napoleon ordered the execution of a French prince, Louis Antoine, Duke of Enghien. This made Alexander I of Russia very angry.
Forming the Third Coalition
After this, Russia and Britain made a deal. Britain offered to pay Russia a lot of money for every 100,000 soldiers Russia provided. They agreed to fight together on April 11, 1805. Austria joined them on August 9, 1805.
The Kingdom of Sweden also joined the alliance with Britain on August 31. The Kingdom of Naples joined the coalition through a treaty with Russia in September.
Prussia's Neutral Stance
During this time, Prussia tried to stay neutral. A French diplomat, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, helped Prussia by giving it control of Hanover. Prussia had also signed the Peace of Basel in 1795, agreeing to stay out of conflicts.
Napoleon believed Prussia would remain neutral. Prussia tried to keep both Napoleon and Alexander I happy. But secretly, Prussia favored Russia. In May 1804, Prussia signed a secret alliance with Russia in Saint Petersburg.
The Treaty and What Happened Next
The Treaty of Potsdam was signed on November 3, 1805. It was an agreement between Alexander I of Russia and Frederick William III of Prussia. The signing happened near the tombs of famous Prussian kings, Frederick II and Frederick William I, at the Garrison Church in Potsdam. Queen Luise was also present.
In the treaty, Prussia agreed to try and arrange peace talks between France and Russia. In return, Britain would give Prussia money. If the talks failed, Prussia promised to gather an army of 80,000 soldiers. Then, Prussia would join the war on the side of the Third Coalition. The treaty was officially approved on November 15.
Reluctance and Rising Tensions
Historian Michael Broers says that King Frederick William was not eager to join the coalition. Prussia's foreign minister, Christian von Haugwitz, was also somewhat pro-French. However, Alexander I was supported by a statesman named Karl August von Hardenberg.
In the weeks after the treaty was signed, people in the Prussian capital felt more and more against France. Hardenberg led this anti-French feeling. Prussia sent Haugwitz to Napoleon's headquarters in Austria to start negotiations. After Haugwitz left, anti-French feelings grew even stronger.
A Swift Change of Events
While Haugwitz was traveling, Napoleon won a huge victory. On December 2, 1805, Napoleon decisively won the Battle of Austerlitz against Austria and Russia. This victory effectively ended the war and made the Treaty of Potsdam useless.
The Treaty of Potsdam was replaced by the Treaty of Schönbrunn. This new treaty was signed between Prussia and France on December 15. Later, Napoleon created the Confederation of the Rhine. Because of this, Prussia declared war on France in October 1806. This started the War of the Fourth Coalition.
Historian Andrew Roberts wrote that "rarely has a treaty ... been more swiftly overtaken by events." This means that the treaty quickly became unimportant because of new events.
