You Are Napoleon Bonaparte How will you take power in France?

1 The situation in France is bad when you return from Egypt. People are angry at the Directory because it is corrupt. Also, France’s enemies have united against France and are winning many battles against France. You’re thinking about taking control sometime and are waiting for your chance. Abbott Sieyes, hoping to eventually lead France, suggests that you use the army for a coup d’etat. Do you agree with Sieyes and stage a coup? Do you decide to wait and pretend to help the government?

Napoleon decided to have the government moved to St. Cloud, away from the Paris mobs. What happened?

With the two Councils safe in St. Cloud, you must find a way to make the government effective so that the whole country doesn’t fall into chaos and can fight against its enemies without losing the territory you have gained. A new, temporary government may be the only way to keep people from rioting. Do you march to St. Cloud and force a new provisional (temporary) government? Do you go to St. Cloud and request the two councils to establish a provisional government? 2

Napoleon brought with him two regiments of soldiers, which made the council angry and refused him. So, Napoleon marched into the Orangerie and ordered them to sign a paper creating a provisional government. What happened?

The document signed is very important. What kind of government is going to be set up? The number of people in control will determine whether there is a stable government created or an unstable government created. Do you make yourself First Consul and have all power? Do you make yourself one of three Consuls and look like there is shared power? Do you hold elections for all males in the country? 3

Napoleon made himself First Consul, but had named two other Consuls, to make it seem like they worked together. However, these were only Napoleon’s advisors. He created a new constitution and new government, but the government had no power. What happened?

There is a problem of having the common people of France agree with you having complete power. If you don’t the country may fall into riots again, because people don’t want a corrupt government and are afraid of a single, oppressive leader. You don’t want people to be suspicious. Do you hold a plebiscite (a vote on one question) asking people choose you as the First Consul for Ten Years? Do you not hold the plebiscite because you fear people may become suspicious of your future plans? 4

Napoleon held a plebiscite and he won overwhelmingly. He was now in position (had an opportunity) to make many changes in France. What happened?

You have complete control of France and complete support of the people. Peace has been made with the church and Britain – France’s strongest enemy. You have control over the newspapers, government and the army. Some supporters suggest you become the Consul for Life. There is a fear that people don’t want another monarch. Consul for Life would be exactly that! There is a fear that a majority will not support you. Do you hold a plebiscite and hope that the common people support you too? Do you not hold a plebiscite and simply declare yourself Consul for Life, because you figure people will support you anyway? 5

Napoleon chose to hold another plebiscite and won overwhelming support again. His family didn’t want him to crown Josephine empress, and the Pope was against him becoming emperor. Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France and Josephine empress. He began placing family members on various thrones of Europe. France was once again a monarchy with an empire in Europe and around the world. What happened?