End of the Holy Roman Empire

Emperor Francis II is forced to abdicate

After suffering a number of defeats at the hands of Napoleon, the Holy Roman Empire lost all its territories west of the Rhine to France in 1803. Moreover, 112 smaller territories east of the Rhine were absorbed into larger states, which were thereby strengthened. The Emperor, on the other hand, was considerably weakened, losing an important pillar of support in the lesser imperial knights and cities. With the Holy Roman Empire now visibly faltering, Emperor Francis II assumed the title of Emperor of Austria in order to give him something to fall back on should the inconceivable happen. A further Napoleonic victory over the united Austrian and Russian forces at the “Battle of the Three Emperors” at Austerlitz forced Francis II to cede territory and agree to the upgrading of Napoleon’s allies Bavaria and Württemberg to kingdoms, which were then bound to Napoleon through marriage alliances.

Events of the summer of 1806 forced Francis’ hand. After several German states decided to band together in July 1806 to form the Confederation of the Rhine, ally themselves with France and withdraw from the Holy Roman Empire, Holy Roman Emperor Francis II abdicated his imperial crown on 6 August 1806. In a last move as Emperor, he declared the dissolution of the Empire, in part to prevent Napoleon from being elected his successor. The Holy Roman Empire had come to an ignominious end 844 years after its foundation.