Talleyrand in History, Part 2

Last episode Talleyrand barely escapes France ahead of a death sentence.  Then the British decide he might be a spy, well he might have been an excellent spy, though we know he was not a spy.

He went to America, George Washington refuses to see him, but Alexander Hamilton welcomes him.

By the end Talleyrand has decided to play the dangerous game of going into opposition against Napoleon.

This episode follows Talleyrand from his exile to his return and rise to power in the Directory.  Talleyrand's role in Napoleon's rise to power is essential.  In some ways Napoleon was Talleyrand's creation and Talleyrand became Napoleon's favorite mentor, when he was still Flexible enough to learn from others.

We cover Talleyrand's thinking and writing through the events of the Consulship and the early days of the Empire.  Then comes the Crisis after Tilsit.  When Napoleon goes full nepotism, never go full nepotism, and plans to tke Denmark, Portugal and Spain.  Talleyrand perceives that Napoleon is no longer aligned with France's interests.  He goes into opposition and begins to play a truly dangerous game.