Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam

What allowed Great Britain to take a leading role in defeating Napoleon?

1. Military innovations

2. Earlier establishment of a global maritime empire

3. Strong alliances with France

4. Access to continental resources

The correct answer is: Earlier establishment of a global maritime empire

The selection of the earlier establishment of a global maritime empire as the factor that allowed Great Britain to take a leading role in defeating Napoleon underscores the significance of Britain's expansive naval and colonial capabilities. By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Britain had already developed a vast empire, which provided not only significant economic resources but also strategic bases around the world. This maritime empire enabled Britain to control key trade routes and secure vital supplies such as food, timber, and other materials necessary for sustained military operations. Additionally, Britain's powerful navy was instrumental in blocking French access to global resources, effectively isolating Napoleon's campaigns. Britain's ability to maintain supply lines and resource availability allowed it to fund and support a coalition of nations against Napoleon, significantly contributing to the eventual downfall of his empire. Moreover, Britain's prior colonial strategies and its naval dominance established a network of alliances and partnerships with other countries that were threatened by Napoleonic expansion, further solidifying its role in the coalition that ultimately defeated him. Thus, Britain's earlier establishment of a global maritime empire was critical to its capacity to lead the fight against Napoleon, making it a central factor in its military success.