This is a longstanding dispute that I often hear from fans of Napoleon. I'm afraid that it is based on a very narrow analysis of the emperor's actions. As its a topic that needs to be looked at in length, I'll do a thread, rather than lots of mini-comments. See below. 1/ https://twitter.com/noone_joseph/status/1264152211917070337

The first issue with the 'Napoleon didn't want war' argument is that it ignores key conflicts, notably the whole of the Peninsular War, and the 1812 invasion of Russia (amongst others). Napoleon invaded independent Portugal for refusing to accept the continental system. 2/

Portugal was well within its rights to refuse. They were not allied to France, and had no reason to let a foreign ruler to dictate their economic policy. Accepting it would have posed serious financial hardships on the country. So an aggressive, and arrogant move from Nap. 3/

Then we have the attempt to conquer Spain. Spain was Napoleon's ALLY, making this one of the clearest indications that Napoleon could not be trusted - he literally stabbed his ally in the back, planning to install one of his family on the Spanish throne. 4/

The Peninsular War as a whole therefore offers two very clear examples that Napoleon was prepared to use any (unscrupulous) methods to further his power. It highlights two important acts of aggression, and marked the start of his downfall - from a situation he created. 5/

Fans of Napoleon (rightly) claim that quite often other nations declared war on him/France. That's true. But we have to think about why they did this. Napoleon always demanded excessive peace terms, partly because he COULD dictate terms after impressive battlefield victories. 6/

By demanding excessive terms, and not a compromise peace, Napoleon undermined his own success by sowing the seeds of resentment. This was an age of balance of power. For other empires to accept Napoleonic domination of Europe was inconceivable. They were bound to strike back. 7/

Napoleon was offered peace terms, on multiple occasions, especially in 1813 and 1814. He CHOSE war because, he, not unreasonably, thought that he would be able to dictate better terms if he secured a significant victory against the coalition powers. 8/

The favourite complaint of Napoleon fans is that the allies declared war on him personally in 1815. Yes, they did. Again, we have to ask why? Because he came back from exile. He had been defeated. He had accepted that he would have to live out his years on Elba. 9/

The flight from Elba provides another crystal clear indication that Napoleon could not be trusted. The coalition allies were not thick. They knew that the success of Napoleon's regime had been built at least in part on war. Napoleon needed time to build his armies. 10/

To have given him the time to rearm, and then go on the offensive when it suited him would have required exceptional naivety from the Coalition powers. They had suffered under Napoleon. They weren't going to give him the chance to do it again. 11/

The coalition powers were not saints, by any means. People rightly highlight that Britain did not honour some promises in the Peace of Amiens. Yet there were breaches on both sides. The 'Napoleon didn't want war' argument is based on a wilful disregard of the facts. 12/

On a basic, logical level, Napoleon knew he was good at war. He knew that he could secure his ambitions through it. Manipulating the situation to provoke conflict gave him the perfect opportunity to achieve those ambitions. He did want war. He'd have been mad not to! End/