Page:General History of Europe 1921.djvu/598

 454 General History of Europe Directory sent against them, and undone Bonaparte's work in Italy. It now devolved upon him to reestablish the prestige of France abroad, as well as to restore order and prosperity at home. Besides, he had to keep himself before the people as a military hero if he wished to maintain his supremacy. II. How BONAPARTE SECURED PEACE IN 1801 AND REORGANIZED GERMANY 792. Napoleon crosses the Alps. Early in the year 1800 Bonaparte began secretly to collect an army near Dijon. This he proposed to direct against an Austrian army which was be- sieging the French in Genoa. Instead of marching straight into Italy, as would have been most natural, the First Consul resolved to take the Austrian forces in the rear. Emulating Hannibal, he led his troops over the famous Alpine pass of the Great St. Ber- nard, dragging his cannon over in the trunks of trees which had been hollowed out for the purpose. He arrived safely in Milan on the second of June to the utter astonishment of the Austrians, who were taken completely by surprise. 793. Battle of Marengo, June, 1800. Bonaparte defeated the Austrians in the famous battle of Marengo (June 14), and added one more to the list of his great military successes. A truce was signed next day, and the Austrians retreated eastward, leaving Bonaparte to restore French influence in northern Italy. The dis- tricts that he had "freed" had to support his army, and the reestablished Cisalpine Republic was forced to pay a monthly tax of two million francs. 794. General Pacification (isoi-isoz). A second victory gained by the French in December of the same year brought Aus- tria to terms, and she agreed to conclude a separate peace with the French Republic. This was the beginning of a general paci- fication. During the year 1801-1802 treaties were signed with all the powers with which France had been at war, even with Eng- land, who had not laid down her arms since war was first declared in 1793.