The Age of Napoleon PSIR205

The Rise of Napoleon The threat of royalists to the Directory: Coup d’etat on 18 Fructidor (September 4, 1797) aimed to aimed to preserve the monarchy

Early military victories The Treaty of Campo Formio (October 1797): Napoleon’s army defeated the Austrian and Sardinian armies. France dominated all of Italy and Switzerland. After the Treaty of Campo Formio was being signed, the greatest challenge for France remained Britain. It was not possible for France to invade Britain; therefore Napoleon decided to threaten the British interests in the Middle East. He decided to invade Egypt, the country that was under the Ottoman control at that time. In so doing, Napoleon intended to achieve the following: End the British naval presence in the Mediterranean Interrupt Britain’s communications with India The both would damage British trade and the British Empire.

The invasion of Egypt was a failure: The Russians, the Austrians, and the Ottomans joined Britain to form the second coalition against France. A significant milestone: Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt was the first Western attempt that challenged the territories of the Ottoman Empire. (Russia had taken the control of Crimea in the Treaty if Kuchuk-Kainardji)

The Constitution of the Year VIII Abbe Sieyes (one of the Directors) proposed a new constitution, which would establish a new executive body free from the destabilizing influences of electoral politics. This proposal required a new coup d’etat (as constitutional change could only be made by a coup, or by a revolution. Napoleon supported the revolution and returned from Egypt. His support guaranteed the success of the coup on 19 Brumaire (November 10, 1799). The new constitution established the rule of one man: the First Consul, Bonaparte. This new position can be associated with Caesar and Augustus in ancient Rome, to the to ancient Greek tyrants. “He was the first modern political figure to use the rhetoric of revolution and nationalism’ to back it with military force, and to combine these elements into a mighty weapon of imperial expansion in the service of his own power” (Kagan et al 2007, p. 629)

The Consulate in France (1799-1804) Supressing Foreign Enemies and Domestic Opposition France tranquilized its relations both at home and abroad. Treaty of Amiens with Britain in 1802 brought peace to Europe. Napoleon suppressed opposition.

Concordat with the Roman Catholic Church The revolution’s approach to revolution polarized the society; one camp being attached to de-christianization passionately, the other being fiercely critical of this policy. 1801 a concordat with Pope Pius (VII): “Catholicism is the religion of the great majority of French citizens”.

Napoleonic Code In 1802 Napoleon declared himself to be consul for life, an act that was also ratified by the people. Yet another constitution. The code brought universality of the law.

Establishing a dynasty In 1804 Napoleon capitalized an attempt on his life by declaring a dynasty. His justification was a dynasty would secure the regime because further attempts on his life would become useless (i.e. his rule would continue through his sons) Yet another constitution. Napoleon even invited the Pope to his coronation, who refuted to come at the last minute.

Napoleon’s Empire Napoleon as an emperor conquered most of Europe until his final defat at Waterloo (1815). The wars put an end to the Old Regime, and Napoleon’s advance paved the way for the emergence of nationalism

Conquering an Empire British naval supremacy: Third coalition under William Pitt the Younger (1805) (Britain, Russia, Austria) Battle of Trafalgar (1805) (Lord Nelson) Napoleonic victories in Central Europe: Napoleon’s armies surrendered Ulm and occupied Vienna Greatest victory: against the combined Austrian and Russian forces at Austerlitz. Napoleon became the King of Italy, as Austrians had to make concessions on their controlled territories in Italy. Germany. Confederation of Rhine, which contained most of the western German princes Prussia. The country went to war against France—not a well-thought act. Jena and Auerstadt defeats in 1806. Berlin Decrees: Napoleon forbid his allies importing British goods. On June 13, 1807: Napoleon defeated the Russians at Friedland and occupied East Prussia. He was now the master of all Germany!

Treaty of Tilsit: Between France and Russia (Tsar Alexander I) Treaty of Tilsit: Between France and Russia (Tsar Alexander I). Prussia lost half of its territories. Napoleon appointed his family to the administration of new territories.

The Continental System Napoleon intended to damage the British economy because he could not challenge the naval forces of Britain. The Continental System was about to cut off all British trade with the European continent. The system could not work because Britain could access to her colonies, and the decision of France not to create a free trade area among the participants of the system turned out to weaken the economies of these countries.