In Europe, the allies mount several invasions, including campaigns in Italy and Switzerland and an Anglo-Russian invasion of the Netherlands.

Russian general Aleksandr Suvorov inflicts a series of defeats on the French in Italy, driving them back to the Alps.

However, the allies are less successful in the Netherlands, where the British retreat after a stalemate (although they do manage to capture the Dutch fleet), and in Switzerland, where after initial victories a Russian army is completely defeated at the Second Battle of Zurich.Napoleon himself invades Syria from Egypt, but after a failed siege of Acre retreats to Egypt, repelling a British-Turkish invasion.

Hearing of a political and military crisis in France, he returns, leaving his army behind, and uses his popularity and army support to mount a coup that makes him First Consul, the head of the French government.