1808 Wellington, Dupont and Napoleon over the Chasm Artwork

Hanging with History

The first season focuses on the origins of the Industrial Revolution or the Great Enrichment, we go deep into history to gain enough background knowledge to actually understand the various theories of the origins of the Great Enrichment. Eventually we learn that we also need to know how the miracle was consolidated, as the many other close approaches to the Industrial Revolution failed.A kwirky style, but intellectually ambitious with the goal of understanding history well enough to understand the miracle that happened that one time. It's gonna be a long series.

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Hanging with History

1808 Wellington, Dupont and Napoleon over the Chasm

July 02, 2025 • Harald Hansen • Season 1 • Episode 179

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We cover Napoleon's sneaky invasion of Spain, its preamble and Napoleon's motivations.

This is followed by a look at Wellington's invasion of Portugal and the battles of Rolica and Vimeiro, which lead to the French surrender of Portugal via the Convention of Cintra.

The Spanish royal family is an arguement against traditional monarchy. Napoleon despises them and Manuel Godoy, the sausage making, Prince of the Peace. Napoleon wants to make Spain great again and believes he has a working formula. However, the result is disaster. The culmination is the defeat of Dupont at Bailen, which results in the French retreating out of Spain up to the line of the Ebro. November will see the French surge back into control, but the effect of the defeat at Bailen will reverberate throughout Europe.