FRENCH REVOLUTION Rise and Fall of Napoleon

WHO IS NAPOLEON? He was born on the island of Corsica in 1769 According to modern standards, Napoleon was short at only 5’6”. But for the time he was average height. He was a military genius Was a very inspirational and emotional leader

WHO IS NAPOLEON By 1799 he was THE French General, and a national hero (he achieved this all in only 30 years of life, ugh what have I done?!)

NAPOLEON GAINS POWER In 1799 Napoleon moves to take over the Government in France through a Coup d’Etat By the next year the French government votes Napoleon to be dictator of France His first order of business is to restore order in France

NAPOLEON RULES AS EMPEROR Napoleon needs to fix all the problems that occurred after the French Revolution (Remember the Terror?) 1.He sets up an efficient tax code 2.He sets up a National Bank 3.And he reduces government corruption In order to reduce corruption Napoleon does the following: 1.Dismissed corrupt officials 2.Creates government run public schools so everyone has equal opportunity to learn

NAPOLEON RULES AS EMPEROR Finally Napoleon sets up new laws called the Napoleonic Code The Code sets up uniform laws for ALL French citizens Restricts freedom of women, speech, and the press Restores slavery in French colonies Five years after Napoleon becomes dictator of France, he crowns himself Emperor

NAPOLEON RULES AS EMPEROR After Napoleon crowns himself emperor, he sets his sights on world domination. By 1812 Napoleon controlled all of Europe EXCEPT England, Portugal, Sweden, and the Ottoman Empire.

NAPOLEON RULES AS EMPEROR Because Napoleon ruled through a military dictatorship, people in his empire developed something called Nationalism What do you think Nationalism is?

NAPOLEON RULES AS EMPEROR Nationalism is the concept of being loyal to your NATION above everything else. How does Napoleon’s French empire lead to Nationalism? And where do you think it develops?

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES Napoleon is not happy that he has not conquered England yet, and is trying to find a way to defeat them He decides to set up a blockade of all ports from England This is called the Continental system He wants to cut off England and make Europe self-sufficient This is his first BIG mistake – it doesn’t work

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES Portugal is one of the countries not following the Continental system This makes Napoleon really mad so he tries to invade Portugal There is another country in the way, what is it?

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES Spain is not too happy that French troops are going to be marching through their country and they begin a war with France This war is called the Peninsular War This is Napoleons second BIG mistake – Wars cost a lot of $$$

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES In 1812, when Napoleon controls nearly all of Europe he decides to invade Russia and further expand his empire. Napoleon didn’t think it would take very long to conquer Russia, so he sent his troops without enough food and proper clothing for winter When winter sets in his armies realize they will not win and retreat.

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES This is a huge blow to the French Empire. The other countries controlled by France seize their opportunity for freedom and revolt against Napoleon This is his third and final BIG mistake

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES Prussia and Russia move to destroy Napoleon and invade Paris Napoleon surrenders in 1814 and is exiled to Elba A year later Napoleon escapes Elba and quickly takes over France again! This begins the Hundred Days (of Napoleon’s return) Elba

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE COLLAPSES Unfortunately for Napoleon, his comeback fails. His final defeat is at Waterloo Napoleon is then exiled to St. Helena in the South Atlantic where he dies of a stomach ailment