Today in History—August 6: Francis II Dissolves the Holy Roman Empire

The Roman Empire fell three times: first to the Germanic warrior Odoacer in 476, then at the hands of the Ottoman sultan Mehmed II in 1453, and finally before Napoleon Bonaparte on this day in 1806.

(Unless you, like Voltaire, do not believe the Holy Roman Empire to be sufficiently Roman. Or holy. Or an empire.)

The Holy Roman Empire was born when Charlemagne was crowned by Pope Leo III and acclaimed as “Augustus and emperor.” Although not recognized by all as the true successors of the Roman Caesars (the Byzantine emperors felt they alone held that honor), Charlemagne and his inheritors brought a degree of stability to central and western Europe while allowing local princes and nobles to exert local autonomy.

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However, the empire had its share of problems—and they were showing by the time Francis II was elected Holy Roman emperor in 1792. The French Revolution and rise of nationalism threatened the empire’s continued existence, as France began conquering its member states. Then Napoleon declared himself emperor of the French.

Francis was able to get the general to briefly recognize his preeminent position, but it didn’t stop Napoleon from sending troops to the Rhine. The Austrians could not repel the French forces, and Francis was forced to accept Napoleon’s terms in the Peace of Pressburg. Many German states—the core of the Holy Roman Empire—joined the Confederation of the Rhine under Napoleon.

By 1806 Napoleon began portraying himself as the new Charlemagne and made it clear he was determined to oust Francis. The elected Roman emperor did the only thing he could to prevent Napoleon from assuming his title: He abdicated his throne and dissolved the empire.

Don’t feel too bad for Francis, though: He still got to be emperor of Austria until his death, nearly 30 years later.

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