Napoleon as “First Consul” With the government in disarray, Napoleon launched a successful coup d’ etat on Nov 9 1799. He proclaimed himself “First Consul” [Julius Caesar’s title] and did away with the elected Assembly [appointing a Senate instead]. In 1802, he made himself sole “Consul for Life.” Two years later he proclaimed himself “Emperor.”

Napoleon’s Major Reforms Establishment of a national bank and central monetary system Nationalized the Educational System Napoleonic Code

Concordat of 1801 Napoleon wanted to heal the divisions within the Catholic Church that had developed after the confiscation of Church property and the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. But, Napoleon’s clear intent was to use the clergy to prop up his regime.

Code Napoleon, 1804 It divides civil law into: Personal status. Property. The acquisition of property. Its purpose was to reform the French legal code to reflect the principles of the Fr. Revolution. Create one law code for France.

The Influence of the Napoleonic Code Wherever it was implemented [in the conquered territories], the Code Napoleon swept away feudal property relations.

Louisiana Purchase, 1803 $15,000,000

Napoleonic Europe

“Napoleon on His Imperial Throne” By Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres 1806 By Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres

Napoleon’s Empire in 1810

Russia In July, 1812 Napoleon led his Grand Armee of 614,000 men eastward across central Europe and into Russia. The Russians avoided a direct confrontation with Napoleon. They retreated to Moscow, drawing the French into the interior of Russia [hoping that it’s size and the weather would act as “support” for the Russian cause]. The Russian nobles abandoned their estates and burned their crops to the ground, leaving the French to operate far from their supply bases in territory stripped of food.

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow (Early 1813) 100,000 French troops retreat—40,000 survive!

Napoleon Abdicates! Allied forces occupied Paris on March 31, 1814. Napoleon abdicated on April 6 in favor of his son, but the Allies insisted on unconditional surrender. Napoleon abdicated again on April 11. Napoleon exiled to Elba with an annual income of 2,000,000 francs. The royalists took control and restored Louis XVIII to the throne.

Napoleon in Exile on Elba

Louis XVIII (r. 1814-1824)

The "Hundred Days" (March 20 - June 22, `1815)

 Britain, Russia. Prussia, Austria, Sweden, smaller German states Napoleon’s 100 Days Napoleon’s “100 Days” 1815: France   Britain, Russia. Prussia, Austria, Sweden, smaller German states Napoléon escaped Elba and landed in France on March 1, 1815  the beginning of his 100 Days.

Napoleon’s Defeat at Waterloo (June 18, 1815) Prussian General Blücher Duke of Wellington

Napoleon on His Way to His Final Exile on St. Helena

The Congress of Vienna

Europe in 1812

The Congress of Vienna (September 1, 1814 – June 9, 1815)

Main Objectives It’s job was to undo everything that Napoleon had done: Reduce France to its old boundaries  her frontiers were pushed back to 1790 level. Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible that had lost their thrones during the Napoleonic era. Supported the resolution: There is always an alternative to conflict.

Key Players at Vienna Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh (Br.) Tsar Alexander I (Rus.) The “Host” Prince Klemens von Metternich (Aus.) King Frederick William III (Prus.) Foreign Minister, Charles Maurice de Tallyrand (Fr.)

Europe After the Congress of Vienna