Napoleon!!

Early Years B. 1769 on Corsica Son of a ‘noble’ dad – gains entrance to French military school in 1779 1792 gets a name for himself fighting for Corsican independence. 1793 returns to France – gets an artillery job defending the port of Toulon – defeats the British navy here = huge career move.

Young Napoleon

Between Toulon & Egypt 1795 – The Directory calls him to Paris to put down rebellion. He does so with cannon loaded with grapeshot. Ucky. Gains more cred as a leader who is not only really smart and effective BUT will do what it takes to get the job done. 1796 Takes command of the Italian campaign and wins Italy for France. 1798 – takes Egypt – only lasts a few months until the British use their navy to cut him off. He abandons his 30,000 troops and heads home.

Political Power 1799 returns to Paris and overthrows the Directory. Napoleon is named First Consul (gov’t leader) Creates a temp peace w/GB – rekindles RCC relationship, est. national bank, education system, and legal system: Code of Napoleon. http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html 1804 = Emperor. Pope comes to Paris for this while Napoleon crowns himself.

Solidifying the Continent 1805 Loses navy @ Trafalgar; forces him to play his strength Defeats Austria, Prussia, Russia. Gains peace with Russia – 1807 – half way point. 1808 creates the Continental System – total economic control of trade, denies GB the ability to trade with Europe. 1808 puts his brother in charge of Spain.

Nelson

How did he LOSE it ALL? Josephine? RCC? Russia? Centralization of French Power;losing colonies, loss of any real navy?

Josephine

Josephine B. 1763 Married widower husband of her sister. Husband is guillotined during Rein of T. Meets Nap. In 1795 – HE immediately falls in love Jan. 1796 married – leaves on Italian campaign two days later. Writes her constantly. She rarely replies but has time for the company of others. Divorced. 1810 – The beginning of the end?

RCC? - regain property & money = return of power and security? Support from outside nations e.g. Austria and Spain to subvert Napoleon? Insult of coronation? Divorce from Josephine?

Invasion of Russia Spring 1812 – to ‘liberate’ Poland Approx. 800,000 troops Scorched Earth by Russians Dug in around Moscow in Sept. 380,000 men dead and 100,000 captured by Dec. 1812 Starvation, desertion, typhus and suicide would cost the French Army more men than all the battles of the Russian invasion combined.

Louisiana Purchase?

The End April 1814 – Napoleon calls it. Prussia & Russia get to Paris. 1st exile to Elba – a small island between Corsica and Italy. Nap escapes to Fr and begins the infamous 100 Days Loses @ Waterloo 2nd exile to St. Helena Dead 1821

The Exiled Places

A Mr. Connole MUST