Bavaria's defection from Napoleon's Confederation of the Rhine weakened French alliances and contributed directly to Napoleon's defeat at Leipzig two weeks later.
Key Facts
- Date signed
- 8 October 1813
- Parties
- Kingdom of Bavaria and Austrian Empire
- Bavaria's declaration of war
- 14 October 1813
- Principal drafter
- Klemens von Metternich
- Coalition joined
- Sixth Coalition against Napoleon
- Key guarantee
- Full sovereignty to Bavaria under existing borders
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Bavaria was a member of the Confederation of the Rhine, allied with Napoleon, but as Napoleon's military position deteriorated in 1813, Austrian diplomat Klemens von Metternich sought to detach German states from French alliance. Metternich aimed to preserve a balance of sovereign states in Germany and prevent both pan-German nationalism and Prussian dominance.
On 8 October 1813, Bavaria and the Austrian Empire signed the Treaty of Ried. Bavaria agreed to leave the Confederation of the Rhine and join the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon. In exchange, Austria guaranteed Bavaria's continued sovereignty and existing territorial borders. The treaty was championed by Crown Prince Louis and Marshal von Wrede, and formally drafted by Metternich.
Bavaria formally declared war on the First French Empire on 14 October 1813. The treaty severed Napoleon's supply lines and isolated French forces. Within two weeks, Napoleon was decisively defeated at the Battle of Leipzig. Metternich's diplomatic approach also blocked efforts by German nationalists such as Baron von Stein to forge a unified pan-German state in the aftermath of Napoleon's collapse.
Political Outcome
Bavaria defected from the Confederation of the Rhine, joined the Sixth Coalition, and received a guarantee of full sovereignty under its existing borders.
Bavaria allied with Napoleon as a member of the Confederation of the Rhine
Bavaria joined the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon, with sovereignty guaranteed by Austria