Rise & Fall of Napoleon’s Empire Mr. Stowinsky World History

Napoleon Seizes Power Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 on the island of Corsica Sent to military school at age 9 Became an artillery lieutenant at age 16 Saved the French Republic by defending the National Convention from royalist rebels Fought many battles in Austria, Italy, and even Egypt

Coup d’etat – sudden seizure of power Republic was weakened. Napoleon named himself first consul and battled Britain, Austria, and Russia Kept many of the laws and ideas of the Revolution Fired corrupt officials and set up public schools Napoleonic Code – universal law set that limited liberty and promoted order and authority over individual rights Crowned emperor of France in 1804

Napoleon Creates an Empire Napoleon sold France’s last North American lands to the United States – The Louisiana Purchase Conquered the Austrian Netherlands and parts of Italy Britain, Russia, Austria, and Sweden all teamed up to fight him… and lost. Battle of Trafalgar – only major battle Napoleon lost. British navy became stronger than the French and forced Napoleon to give up trying to invade Britain Most of Europe was part of Napoleon’s Empire but only lasted 5 years – 1807-1812

Section 2 Napoleon’s Empire Collapses Napoleon made 3 huge mistakes 1. The Continental System Blockade – forcible closing of ports Closed off all ports from and trade with Britain Many ports and officials ignored the blockade or allowed smugglers in anyway Britain also set up a better blockade because they had a stronger navy

2. The Peninsular War Napoleon sent a group of invaders through Spain to invade Portugal The Spanish protested, and Napoleon got rid of their king and made his brother king Guerrillas – small groups of fighters that lead surprise attacks Britain sent troops to help Spain. Peninsular War – Spain & Britain vs. France

3. The Invasion of Russia 1812 – Napoleon attempted to invade Russia As the French advanced, the Russians pulled back Scorched-earth policy – burning grain fields and killing livestock so the enemy has nothing to eat Only 10,000 of the original 420,000 French troops made it out of Russia

Napoleon’s Downfall All of the main powers of Europe were not at war with a weakened Napoleon He raised a second army, but it was untrained and easily beaten Napoleon was exiled to Elba Island, off Italy’s coast The French hated their new king and wanted Napoleon back, so he escaped Elba and took back the throne

European nations sent armies to once again defeat Napoleon Waterloo – small town in Belgium where Napoleon was finally defeated Hundred Days – Napoleon’s short second time as emperor Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic Died in 1821 of stomach issues