THE AGE OF NAPOLEON I.RISE TO POWER II.TAKEOVER OF POWER III.NAPOLEONIC REFORMS IV.BUILDING AN EMPIRE V.DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON VI.RETURN OF NAPOLEON VII.LEGACY OF NAPOLEON

I. RISE TO POWER Born in on the island of Corsica in Born in on the island of Corsica in Sent to Military school in France at the age of 9. Sent to Military school in France at the age of 9. Graduated at 16 and became a lieutenant in the French Artillery. Graduated at 16 and became a lieutenant in the French Artillery. Napoleon Bonaparte

“Since one must take sides, one might as well choose the side that is victorious, the side which devastates, loots and burns. Considering the alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten.” - Napoleon 1793

I. RISE TO POWER  Napoleon was a Jacobin that favored the Republican virtues of the Revolution.  At the age of 26 he became a hero defending the National Convention from an attack by Royalists.  By 1796, Napoleon was in charge of France’s entire army.  He won battles against Austria, in Egypt and in Italy

I. RISE TO POWER  In 1799 Napoleon staged a coup d’ tat and took over the French Government.  He set up a new constitution based on the old Roman Consulate giving him complete control as dictator.  This was ratified by a plebiscite or free election, in which the people of France, desperate for strong leadership, accepted Napoleon’s Dictatorship. This is a popular vote by ballot

II. TAKEOVER OF POWER

 1801 – Napoleon assumed the title “Emperor of the French”  He invited the Pope to preside over the coronation – creating a bond between the French and the Catholics.

III. NAPOLEON REFORMS  He set up a new constitution based on the old Roman Consulate giving him complete control as dictator.  He controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built roads and canals.

III. NAPOLEON REFORMS  Made peace with the Catholic Church – in the Concordat of 1801 (recognized religious freedom for Catholics)  Opened jobs to all based on talent

III. NAPOLEON REFORMS  Napoleonic Code – embodied Enlightenment principles such as equality for all citizens before the law and the abolition of feudalism.

IV. BUILDING AN EMPIRE  Napoleon created a vast empire, and redrew the countries of Europe.  He fixed many struggling empires with reforms, and annexed others into the French Empire.  He also placed his friends and relatives on thrones around Europe to keep certain countries as friends

 He failed to create an effective navy to fight England.  Then he tried to economically destroy England through and unrealistic European trade embargo called the Continental System – this didn’t work – making this a large failure for Napoleon IV. BUILDING AN EMPIRE

 The successes of Napoleon also spurred some Frenchmen to see Napoleon as an oppressor.  The rise of nationalism (to fight for and love your own country) led to rebellions by Spain and Austria who wanted their cultural ways back. V. DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON BATTLE OF AUSTERLITZ

 1812, Napoleon took 600,000 soldiers and 50,000 horses (called the Grand Army) to Russia to fight Tsar Alexander I.  He was forces to retreat, and returned with less than 20,000 soldiers V. DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON

 Napoleon abdicated (stepped down from power) in 1813, and was exiled to Elba.  France briefly restored a monarchy with King Louis XVIII as king – it did not go well. V. DOWNFALL OF NAPOLEON

 Napoleon left exile in 1815, and entered Paris in triumph! – the people welcomed him with cheers! VI. RETURN OF NAPOLEON

 He was popular for 100 days.  British and Prussian soldiers came together to fight the French at the Battle of Waterloo – in Belgium.  He was forced to abdicated again, and was exiled to St. Helena – in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. VI. RETURN OF NAPOLEON

 Although a dictator, Napoleon ruled by popular mandate and his empire spread the ideals of the French Revolution throughout Europe and gave birth to Nationalism.  The Napoleonic Code became, and remains, the basic model of all European legal systems.  Napoleon’s policies led to the eventual establishment of public education and universal male suffrage throughout Europe.  Napoleon’s sale of the Louisiana territory to the United States insured that England would someday be overshadowed by the new American nation. VII. LEGACY OF NAPOLEON