The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte ( ) After being named as the leader of the armies of a chaotic France, but for Napoleon, this is only the start of his plans and ambition!

The Directory and Napoleon’s Rise The Directory came to power after French Revolution that ended in 1795 and was an executive branch with five directors. They are looking for a general to find a general to lead France in war. They find Napoleon Bonaparte. The Directory came to power after French Revolution that ended in 1795 and was an executive branch with five directors. They are looking for a general to find a general to lead France in war. They find Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon graduated in 1785, at the age of 16, from France’s Military College. Napoleon graduated in 1785, at the age of 16, from France’s Military College. During the French Revolution he served the Revolutionary Army defending France. He quickly was seen as a military genius and by age 27, Napoleon was a general. During the French Revolution he served the Revolutionary Army defending France. He quickly was seen as a military genius and by age 27, Napoleon was a general. Napoleon had won several brilliant victories over the Austria forced Austria to withdraw from the war in Napoleon had won several brilliant victories over the Austria forced Austria to withdraw from the war in The Directory look to Napoleon to lead ALL of the armies of France. The Directory look to Napoleon to lead ALL of the armies of France.

In 1798, Napoleon has not only started to win the war, but he was expanding the conflict. England, France’s main enemy is having to fight harder then they thought they would have too. In 1798, Napoleon has not only started to win the war, but he was expanding the conflict. England, France’s main enemy is having to fight harder then they thought they would have too. France invaded Egypt because it was a vital to British colonies in India. Napoleon quickly defeated the Egyptian army. France invaded Egypt because it was a vital to British colonies in India. Napoleon quickly defeated the Egyptian army. Leaving the army in Egypt, Napoleon returned to Paris. The French people of Paris welcomed him home as a hero. Leaving the army in Egypt, Napoleon returned to Paris. The French people of Paris welcomed him home as a hero. In Paris, Napoleon found that many people were dissatisfied with the Directory. With the help of several hundred troops loyal to him, he and two directors began plotting to overthrow the government in November, In Paris, Napoleon found that many people were dissatisfied with the Directory. With the help of several hundred troops loyal to him, he and two directors began plotting to overthrow the government in November, Napoleon’s Wars and Taking Power

Napoleon as “First Consul” After returning from Egypt, Napoleon launched a successful coup d’ etat on November 9, He proclaimed himself “First Consul” With the backing of the army, no one stands against him. He proclaimed himself “First Consul” [Julius Caesar’s title] and did away with the elected Assembly. With the backing of the army, no one stands against him. People support military rule. made himself sole “Consul for Life.” Just like Caesar! In 1802, he made himself sole “Consul for Life.” Just like Caesar! Two years later he proclaimed himself “Emperor.” Two years later he proclaimed himself “Emperor.”

Napoleon’s France By 1804, Napoleon had gained almost absolute power. He knew the French would never stand for a return to the Old Regime. Therefore, he continued many reforms of the revolution. He works hard to get food for the people and keep them happy and on his side! Why? By 1804, Napoleon had gained almost absolute power. He knew the French would never stand for a return to the Old Regime. Therefore, he continued many reforms of the revolution. He works hard to get food for the people and keep them happy and on his side! Why? But at the same time, he kept firm personal control of the government. Napoleon enforced a law requiring all citizens to pay fair taxes. With fair taxes and being tired of being poor and angry, France pulls itself out of debt and starts to reshape French society. But at the same time, he kept firm personal control of the government. Napoleon enforced a law requiring all citizens to pay fair taxes. With fair taxes and being tired of being poor and angry, France pulls itself out of debt and starts to reshape French society. Napoleon starts an educational system that helps more students gain more information and higher status in a new France free of revolution. Napoleon starts an educational system that helps more students gain more information and higher status in a new France free of revolution.

The Napoleonic Code Napoleon’s greatest achievement in government was the Napoleonic Code, a legal code which influenced French law to the present. Napoleon’s greatest achievement in government was the Napoleonic Code, a legal code which influenced French law to the present. It recognized that all men were equal before the law and guaranteed freedom of religion and speech as well as a person’s right to work in any occupation. It recognized that all men were equal before the law and guaranteed freedom of religion and speech as well as a person’s right to work in any occupation. However, it put the interests of the state above those of individual citizens and it dropped laws passed during the revolution that had protected the rights of women and children. However, it put the interests of the state above those of individual citizens and it dropped laws passed during the revolution that had protected the rights of women and children. Control of law now rules France after over a decade of bloody revolution and the terrorized people are relieved that law and order has returned to France. Control of law now rules France after over a decade of bloody revolution and the terrorized people are relieved that law and order has returned to France. Its purpose was to reform the French legal code to reflect the principles of the Fr. Revolution and created one law code for all of France and its conquered territories Its purpose was to reform the French legal code to reflect the principles of the Fr. Revolution and created one law code for all of France and its conquered territories

In 1804, Napoleon became “Emperor of the French.” In 1804, Napoleon became “Emperor of the French.” As Pope Pius VIII prepared to crown the emperor, Napoleon took the crown and placed it on his head himself. By this gesture, Napoleon showed that he did not bow to any authority. As Pope Pius VIII prepared to crown the emperor, Napoleon took the crown and placed it on his head himself. By this gesture, Napoleon showed that he did not bow to any authority. He then proceeded to crown his wife, the Empress Josephine. He then proceeded to crown his wife, the Empress Josephine. Emperor Napoleon

The Empire of Napoleon In the early 1800s, France fought all the major European powers and has won or has wisely made allies to end wars in those nations. In the early 1800s, France fought all the major European powers and has won or has wisely made allies to end wars in those nations. Through shrewd diplomacy, Napoleon usually kept the European powers divided so they could not unite against him. Almost all of the countries of Europe are conquered by him or allied with him, many by marriage within his family. Through shrewd diplomacy, Napoleon usually kept the European powers divided so they could not unite against him. Almost all of the countries of Europe are conquered by him or allied with him, many by marriage within his family. From 1807 to 1812, Napoleon was at the height of his power. He controlled an empire that stretched from France to the borders of Russia From 1807 to 1812, Napoleon was at the height of his power. He controlled an empire that stretched from France to the borders of Russia

-fin- …for today -fin- …for today

The Fall of Napoleon Bonaparte Although Napoleon created an Empire for France, he struggles to keep it, and in the end, is exiled from France Although Napoleon created an Empire for France, he struggles to keep it, and in the end, is exiled from France

While ruling this vast empire, Napoleon helped spread the ideas of the French Revolution (Enlightenment) across Europe. While ruling this vast empire, Napoleon helped spread the ideas of the French Revolution (Enlightenment) across Europe. He introduced religious toleration, abolished serfdom, made the Napoleonic Code into law and reduced the power of the Catholic Church. He introduced religious toleration, abolished serfdom, made the Napoleonic Code into law and reduced the power of the Catholic Church. However, Napoleon lost much support when he imposed high taxes to finance his continuing conflict with British Empire, the only power that still fighting against France. However, Napoleon lost much support when he imposed high taxes to finance his continuing conflict with British Empire, the only power that still fighting against France. Napoleon needs a way to deal with England and make it weaker so he can conquer it as well… Napoleon needs a way to deal with England and make it weaker so he can conquer it as well… Europe under French rule

The Continental System Although Napoleon defeated the major powers on the continent, he was unable to bring Britain to its knees. Although Napoleon defeated the major powers on the continent, he was unable to bring Britain to its knees. Admiral Nelson dashed Napoleon’s plans by sinking most of the French fleet at Cape Trafalgar, near Spain. Admiral Nelson dashed Napoleon’s plans by sinking most of the French fleet at Cape Trafalgar, near Spain. Napoleon then decided to blockade British ports and ordered all European nations to stop trade with Britain. Napoleon then decided to blockade British ports and ordered all European nations to stop trade with Britain. This was called the Continental System. The blockade of all trade with England. This was called the Continental System. The blockade of all trade with England.

Problems for France Unfortunately for France, the Continental System backfired. Britain did lose trade, but France did and the French economy suffered more. Unfortunately for France, the Continental System backfired. Britain did lose trade, but France did and the French economy suffered more. Opposition to Napoleon also grew among the conquered and allied peoples of Europe, who were developing a sense of nationalism, or pride and devotion to one’s own country. Opposition to Napoleon also grew among the conquered and allied peoples of Europe, who were developing a sense of nationalism, or pride and devotion to one’s own country. Countries resented paying taxes to France and sending soldiers to serve in Napoleon’s armies. They wanted to restore their own governments, customs, and traditions. Countries resented paying taxes to France and sending soldiers to serve in Napoleon’s armies. They wanted to restore their own governments, customs, and traditions. As nationalists feelings grew, revolts broke out all over Europe against Napoleon’s rule. As nationalists feelings grew, revolts broke out all over Europe against Napoleon’s rule.

Don’t March into Russia with winter coming… duh! In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia since he could not take over England. Napoleon assembled an army of over 500,000 soldiers, and led this Grand Army into Russia. In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia since he could not take over England. Napoleon assembled an army of over 500,000 soldiers, and led this Grand Army into Russia. Napoleon planned to defeat the Russians in a quick, decisive battle. To his surprise, the Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead, Russia retreated, burning their crops and homes as they went. They forced Napoleon to lead his army deeper into Russia. Napoleon planned to defeat the Russians in a quick, decisive battle. To his surprise, the Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead, Russia retreated, burning their crops and homes as they went. They forced Napoleon to lead his army deeper into Russia. The Russians finally engaged the French near Moscow, 500 miles inside Russia. The French won, but when Napoleon entered Moscow, he found the Russian capital in flames. Napoleon soon realized he could not feed and house his army in Moscow. Thus, in October 1812, he ordered a retreat back to France… The Russians finally engaged the French near Moscow, 500 miles inside Russia. The French won, but when Napoleon entered Moscow, he found the Russian capital in flames. Napoleon soon realized he could not feed and house his army in Moscow. Thus, in October 1812, he ordered a retreat back to France…

During the retreat, the bitterly cold Russian winter turned the French victory into a disastrous defeat. Thousands of Napoleon’s soldiers starved or froze to death. The Russian army attacked the stragglers. Fewer than 100,000 escaped from Russia. During the retreat, the bitterly cold Russian winter turned the French victory into a disastrous defeat. Thousands of Napoleon’s soldiers starved or froze to death. The Russian army attacked the stragglers. Fewer than 100,000 escaped from Russia. As Napoleon marches home, a powerful alliance made up of Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia pounced on the weakened French army as it limped out of Russia. As Napoleon marches home, a powerful alliance made up of Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia pounced on the weakened French army as it limped out of Russia. Napoleon rushed home to raise a new army, but his efforts failed. In March 1814, the allies captured Paris. Napoleon rushed home to raise a new army, but his efforts failed. In March 1814, the allies captured Paris. Napoleon abdicated (left) and went into exile on the island of Elba, off the coast of Italy. Napoleon abdicated (left) and went into exile on the island of Elba, off the coast of Italy. France Weakened and Napoleon Defeated

Napoleon in Exile on Elba

After Napoleon was exiled, the monarchy was restored in France but this king was quite different than his ancestors. After Napoleon was exiled, the monarchy was restored in France but this king was quite different than his ancestors. When Louis XVIII became king, (had been in Austria, cousin of Louis XVI)many nobles returned to France and demanded revenge on supporters of the French Revolution. Riots and revolution spark up again, but does not last long this time. When Louis XVIII became king, (had been in Austria, cousin of Louis XVI)many nobles returned to France and demanded revenge on supporters of the French Revolution. Riots and revolution spark up again, but does not last long this time. But it lasts long enough for Napoleon to take advantage of the resulting disturbances to escape Elba and return to Paris. But it lasts long enough for Napoleon to take advantage of the resulting disturbances to escape Elba and return to Paris. Louis XVIII ( ) France has a king again!

Napoleon again proclaimed himself emperor with his army by his side. Discontented soldiers rallied to his side. For 100 days, he worked to rebuild the French army. But the European allies acted swiftly. Napoleon again proclaimed himself emperor with his army by his side. Discontented soldiers rallied to his side. For 100 days, he worked to rebuild the French army. But the European allies acted swiftly. In June 1815, a joint British and Prussian army led by the Duke of Wellington defeated the French at the Battle of Waterloo. In June 1815, a joint British and Prussian army led by the Duke of Wellington defeated the French at the Battle of Waterloo. Waterloo is a famous battle because of how fast Napoleon’s forces became overwhelmed and pinched in between attacking armies. First and only battle Napoleon lost and had to retreat from. Waterloo is a famous battle because of how fast Napoleon’s forces became overwhelmed and pinched in between attacking armies. First and only battle Napoleon lost and had to retreat from. Napoleon was again exiled, this time to the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic, where he died in 1821 of cancer. Napoleon was again exiled, this time to the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic, where he died in 1821 of cancer. Napoleon loses at Waterloo

Napoleon’s Final Exile