The Rise of Napoleon

Background 1769-1821 Corsican (not French) Masters Artillery at military school Becomes hero saving Nat. Conv. From royalists

Early Career Wins series of battles in Italy 1796 Becomes national hero Loses battle against British in Egypt Keeps news of the loss out of papers

Coup d’Etat 1799 French grow distrustful of the Directory Napoleon has soldiers surround the legislature Forces them to replace Directory with 3 Consuls Napoleon named first consul, takes power Plebiscite (Public Vote) approves of new gov Gives Napoleon legitimacy Promises favors for loyalty

Stabilizing France Makes peace with Second Coaltion 1802 Treaties of Luneville, Amiens Amiens gives France Holland Can focus on France Creates public schools (lycees) Ensures educated officials Advancement based on talent Reforms gov. Ends corruption & inefficiencies Bank of France Fixed tax system

The Church Concordat of 1801 Allows the Catholic Church back into France Makes many French happy Church not allowed to influence government

Napoleonic Code Uniform system of Laws Does not protect free speech Ends social privilege based on birth Government jobs go to most qualified Allows free religion Does not protect free speech Promotes order and authority Does not promote equality for women

Emperor 1804 French people vote Napoleon Emperor of France Crowns himself

Napoleon’s Empire

Loss of American Territory Haitian Revolution Slave revolt gains abolition of slavery during F.R. Napoleon can’t reassert control during uprising led by Toussaint L’Ouverture Independence 1804 Sells Louisiana Territory Makes $15 Million Doubles U.S. Size

European Empire French Army conquers much of Europe Uses threats to control rest Places relatives and friends on thrones

Battle of Trafalgar 1805 Naval battle, Britain over France Napoleon can’t invade Britain

Battle of Austerlitz 1805 Napoleon defeats the Austrians and Russians Napoleon gains much of Austria Ends the Third Coalition Reorganizes Western German states into the “Confederation of the Rhine” Names himself protector Abolishes the Holy Roman Empire

Battles of Jena and Auerstadt 1806 Tsar Alexander I agrees to recognize Napoleon’s empire in the West Grants Napoleon much of Prussia

Nationalism Intense feelings of patriotism, love for country, nation Starts during French Rev Spreads to other countries with Napoleon Other countries resent French control

Continental System Nap’s strategy to develop Europe’s industry & hurt Britain Blockaded Continent Stop trade with Brits Blockade loosely enforced, Brits make better one Hurts French more

Peninsular War 1808 Nap sends troops through Spain to Portugal Portugal not respecting blockade Spanish fight guerilla war against France Fear changes to Catholic Church Angry over dethroning Spanish King, replacing him Napoleon’s brother Ties up 300,000 French soldiers

Invasion of Russia 1812 Alexander I not enforcing continental system Nap invades Russia with 430,000 men Russians retreat, used scorched earth policy, even burn Moscow Starvation, Russian winter kill all but 10,000 French

First Exile 1814 Nap easily defeated by Brits, Russians, Austrians, Prussians, and Swedes Untrained, new army Nap sent into exile on Elba Replaced by King Louis XVIII (XVI’s Bro) Soon escapes, raises new army “The Hundred Days”

Waterloo 6/15/1815 Napoleon’s last battle, loses to Brits & Prussians Sent into exile again, to St. Helena in Atlantic Ocean

Why Napoleon Matters Spread ideas across Europe Napoleonic Code (Legal Reforms) Nationalism Values of the French Rev. (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity)

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