The Age of Napoleon

Just Some Facts About Napoleon Born in Corsica in 1769. He was not rich; he went to military school on a scholarship. Joined the French army and quickly rose through the ranks. Became a General and returned to France as a hero. Helped overthrow the Directory and made himself First Consul.

He Wasn’t Necessarily Humble… “… let that impatiently awaited savior give a sudden sign of his existence, and the people’s instinct will divine him and call upon him… a whole great nation, flying to see him pass, will seem to be saying: ‘Here is the man’…. A consecutive series of great actions never is t he result of chance and luck; it always is the product of planning and genius.” Napoleon Napoleon changed the name of the Directory to the Consulate (borrowed from Rome) and named himself First Consul – two years later he crowned himself Emperor of France.

Those who did not agree that he was the savior, saw him more as the devil.

Napoleon’s Reforms Peace with the Catholic Church Peace with the church: Concordat of 1801 The State got to keep the church lands that were confiscated by the first phase of the Revolution. Catholicism was recognized as the majority religion in France. Crowning of Empress Josephine by Napoleon

Reforms Cont… Napoleonic (Civil) Code: made one standard law code for everyone. Based on the principles of everyone being equal under the law. Religious toleration. Advancement based on a job well-done and the ability to perform the job rather than a person’s social class.

AGE OF NAPOLEON 1796-1815

I. Rise to Power Excelled as artillery officer. Drove British forces from French port of Toulon Victories against Austrians. Took all of Italy, much of central Europe Failed to occupy Egypt Returned and led coup d’etat in 1799. Set up 3-man Consulate; became First Consul; Consul for life in 1802. Invited Pope to crown him Emperor of France

II. Napoleon’s reforms Set up system of public schools- lycee Napoleonic Code Legal rights Religious toleration Meritocracy Women lost power they had gained in Revolution Made peace with Catholic Church through Concordat of 1801

III. Building an Empire Conquers Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, parts of Prussia Abolishes Holy Roman Empire and creates Confederation of the Rhine Conquers Spain and places his brother on throne Forced alliances on Prussia, Austria, and Russia Britain: strong navy. Napoleon imposed Continental System

IV. Retreat and Defeat Rise of “Nationalism” works against Napoleon Resent foreign rule and Continental System Resistance in Spain, brutal repression Russia withdraws from Continental System and Napoleon marches for Moscow on June 22, 1812 690,000 men largest army ever assembled Russians used “scorched earth policy” as they retreat deep into Russia. Moscow is deserted, residents set fire to their own capital!!!

V. Exile and a Curtain Call Combined armies of Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia defeat Napoleon at Battle of Nations 1813. Exiled to island of Elba…but he escapes in 1815!!!! Battle of Waterloo is final defeat. June 18,1815 Died on island of St. Helena in 1821

Napoleon’s Empire

Why Didn’t His Empire Last? 2 reasons The British were able to create an alliance with Russia, Prussia, and Austria and fight against Napoleon. Nationalism – people didn’t want to be taken over by a foreign country.

The Grand Alliance Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria Napoleon saw the British as his greatest threat. He started the Continental System: a blockade of British goods. Britain responded by finding new markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Oops! Napoleon’s Army Entering Russia… Napoleon’s Army Leaving Russia. Napoleon made a mistake when he attacked Russia and got stuck in the infamous Russian Winter. Scorched Earth Policy. 560,000 men died or were taken prisoner.

Waterloo Napoleon marched on to Waterloo, Belgium where he met a Prussian and British army. He was defeated. They sent him to a small island in the Atlantic called St. Helena where he lived until he died, young, in 1821. Very sad.

Congress of Vienna Point: to restore stability and peace to Europe after years of war and revolution The Players: Clemens von Metternich of Austria, Czar Alexander I of Russia, Lord Robert Castlereagh of Britain and Prince Charles Maurice Talleyrand of France. Congress of Vienna

The Goals of the Congress Establish a balance of power in Europe: Changed the boundaries of Europe in order to contain certain ambitious countries. Restore the Kings! They restored the monarchs that Napoleon had unseated. Quadruple Alliance – pledged to stick together to fight against any future revolutions.

Future Problems They redrew the map of Europe without thinking about ethnic groups or nationalism. They underestimated the power of Nationalism that had spread. Germany wanted to be a strong unified nation. The spirit of the revolution didn’t die! The people wanted to move forwards, not backwards!