The Napoleonic Era, 1799  1815

Napoleon’s Rule of France Napoleon confirmed the gains of the peasantry and reassured the middle class by defending property He strengthened the central bureaucracy of France. By the Concordat of 1801 he simultaneously reinstated freedom of worship for Catholics and maintained tight control of the Church. Napoleon’s new law code reduced women’s legal and property rights. Napoleon established a police state and strict censorship to silence political dissent.

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy In the Treaty of Luneville, Austria accepted the loss of almost all its Italian lands and German territory on the west bank of the Rhine to France The Treaty of Amiens with Great Britain (1802) gave France Holland, the Austrian Netherlands, Napoleon was able to reshape Germany how he wanted.

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy In May 1803 Napoleon renewed war with Britain, but his plans to invade the island were shattered by the naval battle of Trafalgar (1805).

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy In 1804 Napoleon was named first consul and crowned himself emperor of France

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy Austria, Russia, and Sweden joined Britain in the Third Coalition against Napoleon (1805). Napoleon defeated the Coalition’s continental partners

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy In 1806 Napoleon crushed Prussia and the Treatise of Tilsit Prussia lost half its population and Russia promised to help France with its continental system. French occupation of much of Europe eventually produced nationalist reactions, as the conquered areas attempted to throw off French rule (Spain)

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy June 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia with 600,000 men, however only 1/3 were French As Russian forces flee back to Moscow they practice the “Scorched Earth Policy”

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy Napoleon entered Moscow in Sept only to find it had been burnt to the ground Waiting for Tsar Alexander to surrender Napoleon finally left for home in Oct. too late to enter Russia further and now too late to retreat

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy As the snow began to fall starving men died and later most froze to death. Russian forces attacked as well Napoleon returned home with a mere 10,000 troops

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy Fourth coalition- G.B., Austria, Prussia, Russia “War of Liberation” Napoleon Abdicates his throne and is exiled to Elba, LouisXVIII takes over Napoleon Returns (100 Days) Loses Battle of Waterloo Napoleon exiled to St. Helena