The bombardment of Copenhagen had originally been meant to take place in 1807. To break France's Continental System, the British cabinet had imposed a counter-blockade in the name of Britain's overseas interests. Denmark was not only an important channel for Baltic Sea trade but also a strategic stronghold. Georgiana had not expected the British to bombard Copenhagen as early as 1801.
This was said to be because Tsar Paul had broken faith. He had been the first to betray the alliance, causing the Anti-French Coalition to collapse.
At the time, France had been on the verge of collapse. If matters had held on a little longer, the Directory's reckless issuance of paper currency and its empty treasury would have caused a financial crash. It was also because relations between Russia and Britain had ruptured that Britain had been powerless to prevent France from acquiring Tuscany when the Treaty of Lunéville was signed, and later from using Tuscany to exchange for Louisiana from Spain.
Russia's defection not only caused the "neutral states" to sign peace treaties and reconcile with France, but also led to the formation of a continental anti-British alliance with Paul's support. At the same time, Napoleon reorganized the navy and its logistics, making the British Royal Navy feel threatened. Nelson therefore led his forces into Dutch waters and clashed with the small french fleet commanded by Latouche-Tréville, only to suffer a crushing defeat. The bombardment of Copenhagen followed.
Nelson's flagship was called HMS Victory. It needed victory to sustain it, yet a "victory" like the bombardment of Copenhagen was not something he should have carried out.
In truth, if Denmark had not insisted on "neutrality" and had handed command of its fleet to Britain, it would not have been bombarded. But Denmark had hoped Russia, led by Tsar