Most estimates I have seen for Napoleon's peak of population control
are at 40-50 million people in the year 1812. The most common estimate
is 50 million.
I was perfectly content to settle on 50 million until I read the following from the
Atlas of World Population History:
"The
French Revolution was followed by the incorporation of Belgium into
France. Then followed the dizzying series of Napoleonic annexations
which brought the population of the Empire (not including satellites)
to near 50m by 1812."
Again, we see the 50 million estimate, but this book adds that this figure is "not including satellites".
In 1812, Napoleon's satellites included:
- Kingdom of Prussia - 9,000,000
- Austrian Empire - 3,000,000
- Kingdom of Italy - 19,000,000
- Spain - 11,500,000
- Denmark - 1,000,000
- Switzerland - 1,750,000
The population estimates for each satellite are taken from the
Atlas of World Population History just to remain consistent for this thread.
When we add these satellites into Napoleon's 50 million, we get a new figure of 95,250,000 people.
My current problem is determining if any of these sattelities could be
considered so strongly influenced by Napoleon that they could be added
to his overall empire total in 1812.
Thoughts? Opinions? Insights?
Details on book: McEvedy, Colin & Jones, Richard (1978). Atlas of world population history. Middlesex, England: Penguin.