ABSTRACT
During the Napoleonic Wars, it required the combined efforts of virtually all of Europe’s great powers to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte. Protected from attack by the sea, British leaders had long understood the need for continental allies. In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I supported the Dutch Revolt against Spain in order to divert Phillip II’s efforts against England by compelling Spain to divide its resources. In the seventeenth century, Britain in alliance with France fought against the Dutch. In the following century, Britain sought continental alliances to tie down and divert French resources. For example, in the 1740s Britain allied with Austria, and in the following decades was in league with Prussia.
