André Masséna

André Masséna (1758–1817) was a French military commander who rose through the Revolutionary armies and became a Marshal of the Empire under Napoleon.

Second Battle of Zurich: A French victory over Russian and Austrian forces in Switzerland in September 1799. Masséna’s victory broke the allied advance and became his most celebrated Revolutionary War success.
Battle of Rivoli: A French victory over Austria in northern Italy in January 1797. Masséna’s decisive movement between threatened sectors helped turn the battle into a major victory.
French Revolution: A period of political and social upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that ended the monarchy and transformed the state. The Revolution opened command opportunities that Masséna could not have reached under the old royal hierarchy.
Napoleon: French military and political leader who became emperor from 1804 to 1814 and again briefly in 1815. Napoleon made Masséna a marshal and entrusted him with major independent commands.
Marshal of the Empire: A senior military dignity created by Napoleon in 1804 for distinguished French commanders. Masséna’s appointment recognized his Revolutionary victories and placed him among Napoleon’s highest-ranking officers.
Battle of Genoa: A French victory over Austrian forces near Genoa in April 1800. Masséna’s defense of Genoa delayed Austrian forces during Napoleon’s return to Italy.
Battle of the Trebbia (1799): A three-day battle in June 1799 in which Russian and Austrian forces defeated the French in northern Italy. The defeat followed Masséna’s redeployment away from Italy and marked the crisis he was sent to address in Switzerland.
French Revolutionary Wars: A series of conflicts between France and European powers from 1792 to 1802. These wars made Masséna’s military career and rapid advancement possible.
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington: British soldier and statesman who commanded allied forces in the Peninsular War and defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Wellington’s defensive strategy in Portugal halted Masséna’s 1810 invasion.
Peninsular War: A conflict from 1807 to 1814 in which Spain, Portugal, and Britain fought French occupation and intervention. Masséna’s Portuguese campaign became one episode in a war that drained French manpower and resources.

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