Napoleon's Return and the Changing Strategic Picture

When Napoleon returned to France in 1799, the strategic situation had changed. The republic armies had achieved victories and the threat of invasion was diminished. Coalition forces had suffered setbacks, especially in Switzerland. The army of Helvetia, commanded by General Andre Massena, successfully used a central position strategy to defeat the coalition. Although there were setbacks, Russian General Alexander Suvorov managed to retreat from Switzerland, but his army was greatly depleted. France no longer had a dire need for a military savior, leaving Napoleon in a complicated position.