Napoleon Part 2: The Siege of Toulon and the Italian Campaign

At this point in our story, Napoleon is still a young man but lacks direction. His posting as an artillery officer was going nowhere, he failed to bring the revolution to his native Corsica, and was cast out as a political refugee from his homeland. It was through a turn of fate that his friend, Antoine Christophe Saliceti, had recommended the young artillery officer for a position commanding the right wing at a siege ongoing in the southeast of France, and one that would finally thrust him into the history books - The Siege of Toulon.Join Arron this week as he looks at the earliest commands of the young Napoleon Bonaparte, beginning with his brilliant tactical mind first being displayed at the 1793 Siege of Toulon, continuing into his ruthless and brilliantly effective suppression of a Royalist mob seeking to overthrow the government on 13 Vendémiaire, and ending with his incredible strategic prowess in the First Italian Campaign. We have heartbreak, funny moments, incredible moments of bravery, and stunning acts of strategic oversight that would see seemingly hopeless situations turn into brilliant opportunities for Napoleon to display his mastery at the art of war.This episode was hosted by Arron Keegan and joined by Hayley O'Connor and Conor Daly. The intro and outro music - Strollin' Along - was recorded by David Renda. Follow us on social media! Just search for That's Old News on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter/X or head to the linktree in our bio!========Chapters:(00:00) Preamble(01:53) Intro(03:13) Madame Tussaud(07:02) Part 1 Recap(09:37) Background to the Siege of Toulon(21:34) The Siege of Toulon(40:02) The Interim(43:40) 13 Vendémiaire(54:15) Joséphine de Beauharnais(59:01) The Italian Campaign, From Start to End(02:35:27) Post Show Banter========Sources & Further Reading:- Broers, Michael, "Napoleon: Soldier of Destiny", Vol. 1.- Esdaile, Charles J., "The Wars of the French Revolution, 1792-1801".- Griffith, Paddy, "French Napoleonic Infantry Tactics, 1792-1815".- Johnson, Paul, "Napoleon"- Mikaberidze, Alexander, "The Napoleonic Wars".- Phipps, Ramsay Weston, "Armies of the First French Republic, Vol. 5: The Armies on the Rhine, in Switzerland, Holland, Italy, Egypt, and the Coup D'État of Brumaire 1797-1799".- Popkin, Jeremy D., "A New World Begins: The History of the French Revolution".- Roberts, Andrew, "Napoleon the Great".