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Why did Napoleon’s armies occupy Vienna in 1805 and 1809?

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Vienna Neptune's Fountain (foreground) and the Gloriette, on the grounds of Schloss Schönbrunn, Vienna.

Napoleon’s armies occupied Vienna in 1805 and 1809 as a direct result of military conflicts between the French Empire and the Austrian Habsburg monarchy during the Napoleonic Wars.

The 1805 Occupation

In 1805, the occupation occurred during the War of the Third Coalition. After Napoleon abandoned his plans to invade Great Britain, he diverted his forces to Central Europe to strike the members of the Third Coalition (Austria, Russia, and Sweden) before they could fully mobilize. Following a decisive victory at the Battle of Ulm, French forces advanced and occupied Vienna in November 1805. This campaign concluded with Napoleon’s victory at the Battle of Austerlitz and the subsequent Treaty of Pressburg.12

The 1809 Occupation

The 1809 occupation followed Austria’s declaration of war against France, inspired by popular resistance in Spain and encouraged by Johann Philipp, Graf von Stadion. French forces occupied the city in May 1809. Despite an initial Austrian success at the Battle of Aspern, Napoleon ultimately defeated the Austrian army at the Battle of Wagram in July, leading to the Treaty of Schönbrunn.234