March- Tsar Paul survives an attempted coup. May- Napoleon Bonaparte proclaims himself emperor of France February- France annexes the Batavian Republic May- Napoleon issues decree to german states (except Prussia and Saxony), join France as allies or be occupied as puppets. Bavaria and Wurtemburg agree but all others refuse and French armies invade. June- In a series of great victories the French army destroys the German alliance and forms the Republic of the Rhine.