Why did Emperor Napoleon depose his brother (Short Animated History)
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Date: 2025-04-07
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history_matters
Also re. Napoleon's brothers and their descendants:
His eldest brother Joseph had two daughters (one who married her cousin, the eldest son of Louis, they sadly died without children though.
Napoleon himself had his only legitimate child Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles, aka the King of Rome aka Napoleon II. who died aged 21 from tuberculosis.
He also had two illegitimate sons: Charles, Count Leon by Elenore Denuelle who he officially recognised as his, the last of his line died out with his grandchildren, and Alexandre, Count Collona-Walewksi, by Marie Walewska, However the latter was officially recognised by his mother's husband as his son (despite being almost certainly Napoleon's, who later served as a minister under Napoleon III. He has surviving descendents today.
His other brother Lucien had children and grandchildren, but his line has now died out,
The line descending from Louis Bonaparte died out with Napoleon III's (Napoleon III was his third but only surviving son) son Louis-Napoleon-Eugene, the Prince Imperial, who was killed in the Zulu War,
So the only surviving (legitimate) line existing today is that descending from Jerome-the current Bonaparte claimant to the Imperial throne of France is his many-times great-grandson. Jerome himself also lived to see his nephew Napoleon III become Emperor.
There was also an American branch of the family (now also died out) which descended from Jerome's first (annuled) marriage to an American, Elizabeth Patterson.
There are existing descendants from the marriage of his sister Caroline to Joachim Murat. Neither of his other two sisters left descendants.
Napoleon's stepson Eugene Beauharnais (Josephine's son by her first husband) also has descendants.
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Also re. Napoleon's brothers and their descendants:
His eldest brother Joseph had two daughters (one who married her cousin, the eldest son of Louis, they sadly died without children though.
Napoleon himself had his only legitimate child Napoleon Francois Joseph Charles, aka the King of Rome aka Napoleon II. who died aged 21 from tuberculosis.
He also had two illegitimate sons: Charles, Count Leon by Elenore Denuelle who he officially recognised as his, the last of his line died out with his grandchildren, and Alexandre, Count Collona-Walewksi, by Marie Walewska, However the latter was officially recognised by his mother's husband as his son (despite being almost certainly Napoleon's, who later served as a minister under Napoleon III. He has surviving descendents today.
His other brother Lucien had children and grandchildren, but his line has now died out,
The line descending from Louis Bonaparte died out with Napoleon III's (Napoleon III was his third but only surviving son) son Louis-Napoleon-Eugene, the Prince Imperial, who was killed in the Zulu War,
So the only surviving (legitimate) line existing today is that descending from Jerome-the current Bonaparte claimant to the Imperial throne of France is his many-times great-grandson. Jerome himself also lived to see his nephew Napoleon III become Emperor.
There was also an American branch of the family (now also died out) which descended from Jerome's first (annuled) marriage to an American, Elizabeth Patterson.
There are existing descendants from the marriage of his sister Caroline to Joachim Murat. Neither of his other two sisters left descendants.
Napoleon's stepson Eugene Beauharnais (Josephine's son by her first husband) also has descendants.
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alex_zetsu
The Dutch had a candidate anyways, William Prince of Orange. If Will had somehow died with daughters and no sons and one of the girls married Louis II, then given that Louis I was somewhat popular, the great powers would probably allow Louis Bonaparte to rule as king since the girl would actually be queen in a normal European monarchy, but the House of Orange tried everything to avoid female rulers until they actually ran out of men and let Wilhelmina of the Netherlands be queen. But that was not the case. The British and Austrians were going to restore traditions of Europe to prevent another destructive Napoleonic War from ravaging Europe again and the exile William Prince of Orange was available. As long as William Prince of Orange or his sons were alive, they were the logical choice and even if they died out, either their girls would rule as queens, or maybe their husbands might rule depending on the exact political climate (there wasn't a formal rule of what Orange did when they would run out of men, I guess they just figured it would never happen and William III had to finally realize he wasn't going to have a son and that he would need to decide. Some people might make fun of the Allies for being traditionalist, but unlike the Peace of Versailles, the Peace of Vienna outlasted any of its creators. Most of the unraveling of this peace happened due to events that happened generations later.
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The Dutch had a candidate anyways, William Prince of Orange. If Will had somehow died with daughters and no sons and one of the girls married Louis II, then given that Louis I was somewhat popular, the great powers would probably allow Louis Bonaparte to rule as king since the girl would actually be queen in a normal European monarchy, but the House of Orange tried everything to avoid female rulers until they actually ran out of men and let Wilhelmina of the Netherlands be queen. But that was not the case. The British and Austrians were going to restore traditions of Europe to prevent another destructive Napoleonic War from ravaging Europe again and the exile William Prince of Orange was available. As long as William Prince of Orange or his sons were alive, they were the logical choice and even if they died out, either their girls would rule as queens, or maybe their husbands might rule depending on the exact political climate (there wasn't a formal rule of what Orange did when they would run out of men, I guess they just figured it would never happen and William III had to finally realize he wasn't going to have a son and that he would need to decide. Some people might make fun of the Allies for being traditionalist, but unlike the Peace of Versailles, the Peace of Vienna outlasted any of its creators. Most of the unraveling of this peace happened due to events that happened generations later.
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joehoe222
In The Netherlands he had the nickmame 'Konijn van Holland' (Rabbit of Holland. He held a speech once in phonetic Dutch with a thick French/Italian accent. The Dutch word for 'king' is 'koning'. His accent made it more 'konin' (think in French, sounding like 'konijn' (rabbit. Although mostly forgotten in the mists of time, he was remembered for this in the history books.
He was a good king though. Like France, the Netherlands needed some reforms (although not as drastic as France) and he did much in 10 years. Reshaping provinces, simplifying the political system, being at disasters himself if he was close. He did good things and had a touch for the Dutch. He understood the country, also financially. His brother was under the impression it was still quite rich in NL, but it was getting impoverished by a sloppy 18th century. Louis-Napoleon understood it wasn't as good as it seemed and tried to give NL his glory back. Napoleon felt undermined by this, while it was really needed and appreciated wat Louis did.
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In The Netherlands he had the nickmame 'Konijn van Holland' (Rabbit of Holland. He held a speech once in phonetic Dutch with a thick French/Italian accent. The Dutch word for 'king' is 'koning'. His accent made it more 'konin' (think in French, sounding like 'konijn' (rabbit. Although mostly forgotten in the mists of time, he was remembered for this in the history books.
He was a good king though. Like France, the Netherlands needed some reforms (although not as drastic as France) and he did much in 10 years. Reshaping provinces, simplifying the political system, being at disasters himself if he was close. He did good things and had a touch for the Dutch. He understood the country, also financially. His brother was under the impression it was still quite rich in NL, but it was getting impoverished by a sloppy 18th century. Louis-Napoleon understood it wasn't as good as it seemed and tried to give NL his glory back. Napoleon felt undermined by this, while it was really needed and appreciated wat Louis did.
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history_matters
In case anyone is wondering re. Napoleon's brothers: there was Joseph (the eldest) who he made King of firrst Naples and then Spain, Lucien, who he fell out with early on on account of his marriage (though he was able to get the title of Prince from the Pope, Louis, who this video is about (and who was the father of Napoleon III) and Jerome, who he made King of Westphalia.
There were also his sisters Caroline (who married Joachim Murat, who he made Grand Duke of Berg and then King of Naples in succession to Joseph, Elisa (who he made sovereign ruler of Lucca and also governor -general of Tuscany, and Pauline, who he made the sovereign ruler of Guastalla for about a couple of weeks before she sold it back to her brother.
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In case anyone is wondering re. Napoleon's brothers: there was Joseph (the eldest) who he made King of firrst Naples and then Spain, Lucien, who he fell out with early on on account of his marriage (though he was able to get the title of Prince from the Pope, Louis, who this video is about (and who was the father of Napoleon III) and Jerome, who he made King of Westphalia.
There were also his sisters Caroline (who married Joachim Murat, who he made Grand Duke of Berg and then King of Naples in succession to Joseph, Elisa (who he made sovereign ruler of Lucca and also governor -general of Tuscany, and Pauline, who he made the sovereign ruler of Guastalla for about a couple of weeks before she sold it back to her brother.
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TsaristGames
Speaking of French people, did you know if you play as Mexico in Victoria 2 and simply give the USA Texas as soon as you start the game, but then release Texas as a Mexican dominion, the USA can never declare manifest destiny on you and take your top half I found out that the Texan ai needs 175 or more relations to join the USA, but that wont happen since there's a free Mexican Texas that has cores in main Texas, so your Texas will always hate the USA! And one rule for allowing manifest destiny is Texas does NOT exist. So, as Mexico, you are safe to declare yourself the Empire of Mexico and invade Central America without the pesty USA moving west!
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Speaking of French people, did you know if you play as Mexico in Victoria 2 and simply give the USA Texas as soon as you start the game, but then release Texas as a Mexican dominion, the USA can never declare manifest destiny on you and take your top half I found out that the Texan ai needs 175 or more relations to join the USA, but that wont happen since there's a free Mexican Texas that has cores in main Texas, so your Texas will always hate the USA! And one rule for allowing manifest destiny is Texas does NOT exist. So, as Mexico, you are safe to declare yourself the Empire of Mexico and invade Central America without the pesty USA moving west!
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samiamrg7
The smuggling was not a small matter, either. Both smuggling and special dispensations from Napoleon were key to keeping the Dutch economy afloat in order to fund the army and public services (as well as get luxuries which Louis and other elites enjoyed. Quite a lot of these special dispensations were made in the Continental system’s embargo, including a great many to French merchants and the kingdoms ruled by Napoleon’s family. This meant the Continental System was full of holes even before kingdoms began openly defying it, which is why it was never gonna work.
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The smuggling was not a small matter, either. Both smuggling and special dispensations from Napoleon were key to keeping the Dutch economy afloat in order to fund the army and public services (as well as get luxuries which Louis and other elites enjoyed. Quite a lot of these special dispensations were made in the Continental system’s embargo, including a great many to French merchants and the kingdoms ruled by Napoleon’s family. This meant the Continental System was full of holes even before kingdoms began openly defying it, which is why it was never gonna work.
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rubenCh
A king actually devoted to be a good king in service to his subject is a rarity in history. The fact that this man was apointed by a foreign power to rule in its interest, makes him all the more special. The current king also seems to be devoted to his people, but he is obligated by law and oath, to do so. Koning Lodewijk had no obligation towards the Dutch whatsoever and yet he ruled as as true king whitin the boundaries of the circumstanses. The best King (Stadholders included) the Netherlands ever had, in my opinion.
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A king actually devoted to be a good king in service to his subject is a rarity in history. The fact that this man was apointed by a foreign power to rule in its interest, makes him all the more special. The current king also seems to be devoted to his people, but he is obligated by law and oath, to do so. Koning Lodewijk had no obligation towards the Dutch whatsoever and yet he ruled as as true king whitin the boundaries of the circumstanses. The best King (Stadholders included) the Netherlands ever had, in my opinion.
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Comred1
Two notes:
1. 1: 16, the Netherlands did not look like that at all in the 1800’s. The Flevopolder was still very much a sea.
2. 1: 53, that was not the only invasion, there was another much further north near Alkmaar and Castricum. This has been immortilised on the Arc de Triomphe with Alkmaer’ (old spelling.
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Two notes:
1. 1: 16, the Netherlands did not look like that at all in the 1800’s. The Flevopolder was still very much a sea.
2. 1: 53, that was not the only invasion, there was another much further north near Alkmaar and Castricum. This has been immortilised on the Arc de Triomphe with Alkmaer’ (old spelling.
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jeffjones7877
In 1809 the city of Gorkum was threatened by major flooding where the water got as high as 12 feet (or so its stated. I believe the cause was dikes breaking. King Louis personally helped save the city with the citizens and kings guard. My family lived in the area at the time so Louis has my respect
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In 1809 the city of Gorkum was threatened by major flooding where the water got as high as 12 feet (or so its stated. I believe the cause was dikes breaking. King Louis personally helped save the city with the citizens and kings guard. My family lived in the area at the time so Louis has my respect
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A51Rene
Your map of The Netherlands is again showing the province of Flevoland, which did not exist at the time. It is reclaimed land and only came into being after the second world war.
The other parts of the map are correct, with Limburg cut off for example. So why show Flevoland (again)
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Your map of The Netherlands is again showing the province of Flevoland, which did not exist at the time. It is reclaimed land and only came into being after the second world war.
The other parts of the map are correct, with Limburg cut off for example. So why show Flevoland (again)
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AudieHolland
It was actually Louis' brief reign as king of Holland that made the Dutch welcoming of the concept of a Dutch king following Napoleon's defeat.
Before that time, the Dutch only had had regents and stadtholders who were like governors without a ruler above them.
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It was actually Louis' brief reign as king of Holland that made the Dutch welcoming of the concept of a Dutch king following Napoleon's defeat.
Before that time, the Dutch only had had regents and stadtholders who were like governors without a ruler above them.
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joesomebody3365
I had heard of Napoleon's brother in Spain, but I had no idea he installed one in the Netherlands before this video.
Sounds like he was a solid ruler though, wanted what was best for his kingdom and did the best to make it happen. Too bad it didn't work out.
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I had heard of Napoleon's brother in Spain, but I had no idea he installed one in the Netherlands before this video.
Sounds like he was a solid ruler though, wanted what was best for his kingdom and did the best to make it happen. Too bad it didn't work out.
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looinrims
The Napoleonic era remains filled with some of history’s greatest administrative leaders who are barely remembered
Even Joachim Murat, hotheaded and rather childish still had a constitution for Naples so popular the 1848 revolution demanded its return
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The Napoleonic era remains filled with some of history’s greatest administrative leaders who are barely remembered
Even Joachim Murat, hotheaded and rather childish still had a constitution for Naples so popular the 1848 revolution demanded its return
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userofthetube2701
Fun fact: Louis turned the magnificent city hall in Amsterdam into his royal palace. And even when the House of Orange took over again, they never gave it back. To this day, some in Amsterdam dream of it being returned for use by the municipality.
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Fun fact: Louis turned the magnificent city hall in Amsterdam into his royal palace. And even when the House of Orange took over again, they never gave it back. To this day, some in Amsterdam dream of it being returned for use by the municipality.
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LDV95
He helped Leiden a lot after a gunpowder barge exploded and blew up half the city, His palace was used as a refuge and his personal doctor was send to Leiden and he helped raised money and made sure there were regulations on the transport of gunpowder after.
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He helped Leiden a lot after a gunpowder barge exploded and blew up half the city, His palace was used as a refuge and his personal doctor was send to Leiden and he helped raised money and made sure there were regulations on the transport of gunpowder after.
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alkhiqany
Hey, you probably won’t find this comment but Ive been a modern supporter on your Patreon for several months now without a mention or shoutout. I feel like you ignored my message, and I will unfortunately cancel my subscription. Best wishes, Mohamed
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Hey, you probably won’t find this comment but Ive been a modern supporter on your Patreon for several months now without a mention or shoutout. I feel like you ignored my message, and I will unfortunately cancel my subscription. Best wishes, Mohamed
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joejankoski8471
So the French throw off their despotic aristocracy, England gets worried it will give their servant peoples ideas and put together a coalition to invade and humble France. Napoleon fights back and for a while wins. but he's the bad guy
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So the French throw off their despotic aristocracy, England gets worried it will give their servant peoples ideas and put together a coalition to invade and humble France. Napoleon fights back and for a while wins. but he's the bad guy
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hans7856
It's such an absolute disgrace by the current royal family and Dutch royalists that they celebrated 200 years of monarchy in the Netherlands in 2015. They should have done that in 2006 to honour the best King we've had so far, Louis the Good.
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It's such an absolute disgrace by the current royal family and Dutch royalists that they celebrated 200 years of monarchy in the Netherlands in 2015. They should have done that in 2006 to honour the best King we've had so far, Louis the Good.
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DingoAteMyMail
We still know him as the king who said that he was a rabbit
In Dutch, Koning = King, and Konijn = Rabbit. Louis spoke Dutch, but with a heavy accent that made Koning sound like Konijn.
That’s why he was the Rabbit King
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We still know him as the king who said that he was a rabbit
In Dutch, Koning = King, and Konijn = Rabbit. Louis spoke Dutch, but with a heavy accent that made Koning sound like Konijn.
That’s why he was the Rabbit King
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kingace6186
These type of leader's (minus their fall from power) should be the norm. Both Louis and Maximilian were ideal leaders in callous eras of history. Except the part where he abandoned his entire family and fled. That was horrible.
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These type of leader's (minus their fall from power) should be the norm. Both Louis and Maximilian were ideal leaders in callous eras of history. Except the part where he abandoned his entire family and fled. That was horrible.
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