the war between Britain and France

In the lateadult Disney Slide eighteenth century, battles raged in almost every corner of Europe, as well as in the Middle East, South Africa, the West Indies, and Latin America. In reality, however, there was only one major war during this time, the war between Britain and France. All other battles were ancillary
to this larger conflict, and were often at least partially related to its
antagonist’ goals and strategies.

The French knew that, short of
defeating the British navy, their only hope of victory was to close all the
ports of Europe to British ships. Accordingly, France set out to overcome
Britain by extending its military domination from Moscow t Lisbon, from
Jutland to Caldaria. All of this entailed tremendous risk, because France
did not have the military resources to control this much territory and still
protect itself and maintain order at home.

French strategists calculated that a navy of 150 ships would provide the
force necessary to defeat the British navy. Such a force would give France a
three-to-two advantage over Britain. This advantage was deemed necessary
because of Britain’s superior sea skills and technology because of Britain
’s superior sea skills and technology, and also because Britain would be
fighting a defensive war, allowing it to win with fewer forces. Napoleon
never lost substantial impediment to his control of Europe. As his force
neared that goal, Napoleon grew increasingly impatient and began planning an
immediate attack.

France sought total domination of Europe.
This goal was obstructed by British independence and Britain’s efforts
throughout the continent to thwart Napoleon; through treaties. Britain built
coalitions (not dissimilar in concept to today’s NATO) guaranteeing British
participation in all major European conflicts. These two antagonists were
poorly matched, insofar as they had very unequal strengths; France was
predominant on land, Britain at sea.