Campaigns of 1798 in the French Revolutionary Wars
1798 was a relatively quiet period in the
Campaign in Egypt
At this time, Egypt was a province of the Ottoman Empire, but Napoleon viewed invading Egypt as a way to threaten British dominance in the Mediterranean Sea and in India, as well as to gain prestige for revolutionary arms.
Napoleon raised a large army, including scientists and cultural experts, and sailed from
Battle of the Nile
However, the British were threatened by this move, and admiral
Napoleon consolidated his base in Egypt for the remainder of the year. However, the local population in Cairo, encouraged by the battle of the Nile and annoyed by various taxes and impositions by the French, revolted in October, killing many of the French but eventually being suppressed. Damage to mosques sustained during this revolt embittered the Egyptian population against the French.
Campaigns in Europe
The French were also under pressure in Belgium and Luxembourg where the local people revolted against conscription and anti-religious violence (Peasants' War). French troops deposed
Switzerland
On 5 March 1798, French troops overran Switzerland at the invitation of French-speaking factions in
Ostend Raid
On 18 May the British launched a combined Royal Navy and British Army raid on Ostend to destroy the lock gates of the Bruge Canal and to burn the French gun-ships that were in the harbor. The objectives were achieved but the entire army contingent of 1,300 men was either killed or captured.
Ireland
An expeditionary force was sent to
Second Coalition
By the end of the year, the European powers, having recovered from their previous defeats and emboldened by Napoleon's absence,[ captured Rome on 28 October but was driven out by the end of the year.
See also
- French Revolution
- French Revolutionary Wars
- History of Ottoman Egypt