Treaty of Ried facts for kids
The Treaty of Ried was an important agreement signed on October 8, 1813. It was made between the Kingdom of Bavaria and the Austrian Empire. This treaty changed the course of a big war happening in Europe at the time.
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What Was the Treaty of Ried?
The Treaty of Ried was a deal where Bavaria decided to leave a group called the Confederation of the Rhine. This group was allied with Napoleon, a powerful French emperor. Instead, Bavaria agreed to join the Sixth Coalition. This was a group of countries fighting against Napoleon.
Why Did Bavaria Change Sides?
Bavaria joined the Sixth Coalition because Austria promised something very important. Austria guaranteed that Bavaria would remain a sovereign and independent country. This meant Bavaria would keep its own power and not be controlled by others.
Key People Behind the Treaty
Two important people strongly supported this treaty. They were Crown Prince Louis of Bavaria and Marshal von Wrede. Their support helped make the agreement happen. Just six days after the treaty, on October 14, Bavaria officially declared war on Napoleonic France.
Who Drafted the Treaty?
The treaty was mainly written by Klemens von Metternich. He was a very clever diplomat from Austria. Metternich brought together the German countries that were part of the Sixth Coalition.
Why Was Metternich's Role Important?
Metternich had a big goal: he wanted to stop Napoleon, but he also wanted to prevent other problems in Germany. Some people, like Baron von Stein, wanted to create one big German country. This idea was called German nationalism.
How Did Metternich Shape Germany's Future?
Metternich was a conservative. He wanted to keep countries separate and strong, not combine them into one large state. He believed a huge German state might lead to too much change and new ideas he didn't like. He also wanted to stop Prussia, another powerful German state, from taking over too much land. The secret parts of the Treaty of Ried promised Bavaria would keep its full independence and its current borders.
What Was the Impact of the Treaty?
The Treaty of Ried had a huge impact on the war. By Bavaria changing sides, Napoleon's supply lines were cut off. This made it very hard for his army to get food, weapons, and other important things.
How Did the Treaty Lead to Napoleon's Defeat?
Just two weeks after the treaty was signed, Napoleon faced a major battle. This was the Battle of Leipzig, also known as the "Battle of the Nations." Because his supply lines were broken, Napoleon's army was weakened. He was defeated in this crucial battle. The Treaty of Ried played a big part in this important moment in history.
