The Rise and Fall of Napoleon How did Napoleon gain and eventually lose his empire?

Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état Napoleon Takes Power War continues, Royalists try to take over the French Assembly 1795: Napoleon Bonaparte leads troops against Royalists Easy win – seen as hero & appointed General of the Army 1796: leads troops to win over Austria but loses to British in Egypt 1799: people losing confidence in the Assembly Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état Jan 1800: Plebiscite (vote of the people) approves a new constitution New constitution gives unlimited power to Napoleon =

Napoleon Changes France Napoleon begins public schools (Lycée) Removes corrupt government officials Creates new laws called Napoleonic Code Code gave France “uniform” laws & eliminated injustices, but also limited freedoms gained in the revolution & restored slavery 1802: All wars in Europe end 1803: Napoleon loses slave revolt in St. Domingue & sells Louisiana Terr. to US, happy to gain $ from sale and make US a power 1804: Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France – people approve

Fights British Navy & loses Battle of Trafalgar Napoleonic Wars 1804: Napoleon uses US money to establish an Empire in Europe Annexes some Italian States & the Netherlands Crushes Austrian army @ Austerlitz 1805: Napoleon tries to cut off British supplies Fights British Navy & loses Battle of Trafalgar 1808: Invades Spain and puts his brother Joseph on the throne Spanish use “guerilla warfare” during Peninsular War Countries that lose forced to sign peace treaties with France Battle of Austerlitz Peninsular War Battle of Trafalgar

Napoleon tries to Blockade Britain – Continental System US may help Napoleon Britain & US fight War of 1812 Napoleon’s Empire Collapsing Russian Czar against Continental System June 1812: France invades Russia Czar Alexander used “scorched-earth policy” Dec 1812: Cold Russian winter then sets in, Russians start attacking Napoleon’s tired & hungry army (422K to start – 28K left to retreat)

Napoleon’s Final Chapter 1814: Napoleon defeated in Napoleonic Wars & is exiled to Elba Louis XVIII (Louis XVI brother) takes the throne, becomes Absolute Monarch, people upset 1815: Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France People happy, Napoleon quickly recruits an army and retakes France starting the 100 Days Britain & Prussia form alliance to stop Napoleon Napoleon’s forces fight the British army at Battle of Waterloo Britain holds Napoleon’s army until arrival of Prussia’s army Napoleon is defeated and the British send him to a remote island (St. Helena) in the South Atlantic Ocean On the island, Napoleon lives alone and dies of a stomach ailment in 1821

Voices from the Past: Napoleon’s Mysterious End What was the original diagnosis about Napoleon's death? What is the new theory of Napoleon’s death? How do we know this information? Who are the suspects in Napoleon’s death? (four answers) Which theory do you believe and why?