THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Age of Napoleon Begins Napoleon’s Rise to Power Born on the Isle of Corsica in the Mediterranean Family of nobles, no real power Age 9, sent to France for military training Age 20, revolution broke out and found himself favoring the Jacobins and republican rule

The Age of Napoleon Begins Napoleon’s Rise to Power Early Successes December 1793, successfully drove British forces out of Toulon Successive victories on the battlefield help build his reputation Was even able to hide the disaster of the Egyptian campaign from most admirers Led to his entrance in Politics, 1799 overthrew the Directory and set up the three man governing body, The Consulate Taking the title of First Consul and declaring himself consul for life in 1802

The Age of Napoleon Begins Napoleon’s Rise to Power A Self-made Emperor 1804 he was able to crown himself Emperor of the French Invited the Pope to the coronation Held a plebiscite each step he took to power A ballot in which voters say yes or no Napoleon each time had the strong support of the French people

The Age of Napoleon Begins France Under Napoleon Reforms Replaced liberty, equality, property motto with “Order, security, and efficiency” Economic reforms Controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built infrastructure Education Set up a system of public schools under government control Security Trained military officers and officials

The Age of Napoleon Begins France Under Napoleon Reforms 1801 Concordat Made peace with the Catholic Church Kept Church under state control but recognized freedom for Catholics Allowed Emigres to return to France if they took an oath of loyalty Peasants were allowed to keep the land they took during the Revolution Jobs were now open to “all talent”

The Age of Napoleon Begins France Under Napoleon Napoleonic Code One of his most lasting reforms Embodied Enlightenment principles Equality of all citizens in front of the law, religious toleration, and advancement based on merit Women lost out on much of the newly gained freedoms Male heads regained authority in the household Napoleon valued order and authority

The Age of Napoleon Begins Building an Empire 1804-1814 Napoleon worked on building the French empire Successfully took down European countries on the battlefield By 1810, France was at its peak Master on the battlefield Created a different battle plan for each battle

The Age of Napoleon Begins Building an Empire The Grand Empire Annexed majority of Europe under French jurisdiction Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Germany, and Italy Abolished the Holy Roman Empire and cut Prussian territory in half Used forceful diplomacy Placed friends on the throne of other countries Forced alliances Nationalism overflowing with each victory Parades and celebrations filled the streets of Paris

1810 vs. 1914 French Empires

The Age of Napoleon Begins Building an Empire France versus Britain Britain used powerful navy to keep Napoleon at bay 1805 Battle of Trafalgar Fought off the coast of Spain Britain fleet smashed the French Napoleon then ruled out an invasion and turned to attack on commerce Continental System Made agreements with the continental European countries to not trade with Britain War of blockades Shutting off ports to keep people from moving goods

The Age of Napoleon Begins Building an Empire France Versus Britain Impacts War of 1812 British Naval ships attacked American ships Ultimately failed in attempt to cripple Britain Created a scarcity of good, resulting in an increase in prices of goods Tension from other European countries against the French Empire

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Napoleon’s armies helped spread revolutionary ideas across Europe Helped install revolutionary governments in place of Absolutism Napoleonic Code was carried throughout Europe Ultimate pursuit of Russia led to Napoleon’s downfall

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Impact of Nationalism European countries saw Napoleon’s troops as invaders rather than champions of freedom Resented the Continental System and effort to impose French culture Ultimately resulted in counter-nationalism against the French occupation

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Resistance in Spain Napoleon placed brother Joseph Bonaparte on the throne of Spain Set to make reforms to undermine the Spanish Church Spanish citizens remained loyal to the King Turning to violence, Joseph used military force to oppress the riots Rather than crushing the resistance it only intensified the Spanish drive to force Joseph and France out of Spain

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Resistance in Spain Spanish patriots resorted to guerilla warfare (hit and run raids) against the French Attacked supply trains Attacked troops Forced Napoleon to keep a large number of troops in Spain Britain ended up sending troops over to aid the Spanish

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire War With Austria Using Spain as a motive, Austria began to become hostile Battle of 1805, Napoleon’s defeat of Austria helped fuel the Austrians in 1809 Austrians were unsuccessful Napoleon divorced his wife and married Austrian princess Marie Louise

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire War With Russia The alliance of France and Austria worried Czar Alexander I of Russia Territory of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw enlarging Bordered Russia Alexander I withdrew Russia from the Continental System This led Napoleon to comprise his “Grand Army”

The End of an Era Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire War With Russia cont. Grand Army 400,000 troops to march on Russia Russians retreated back east towards Russia “Scorched Earth” Russians destroyed crops and burned villages Resulting in starvation and cold living conditions for French soldiers during Winter Napoleon made it Moscow in September but was forced to turn back home in October Napoleon was unable to feed and supply his entire army through the Winter Retreat back to France was met with attacks by Russian armies and the Russian winter Returned home with 10,000 troops Reputation was forever shattered

The End of an Era Downfall of Napoleon Exile and Return 1813 Russian, British, Austrian, and Prussian alliance defeated Napoleon at Leipzig 1814 Napoleon abdicated to the island of Elba Louis XVIII (Louis XVI brother) took the crown Emigres returned to France in fear of a return of the old order Economic depression led to the return of Napoleon Returned to Paris in triumph and Louis XVIII fled

The End of an Era Downfall of Napoleon Battle of Waterloo Return was short lived 1815 the allies reorganized their troops and met Napoleon in Belgium Took one day to crush Napoleon’s army and he again abdicated forever to St. Helena

The End of an Era The Congress of Vienna Balance of Power Redrew the map of Europe Purpose was to surround France with strong countries Gave Prussia land along the Rhine River Austria reasserted control over Northern Italy territories

The End of an Era The Congress of Vienna Restoration of Monarchs Legitimacy (restoring hereditary monarchies back to power) Louis XVIII was put in power “Legitimate” monarchs returned to power in Portugal, Spain, and Italian states

The End of an Era The Congress of Vienna Problems of the Peace Quadruple Alliance Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain To protect the new order Pledged to act together to maintain power Did not foresee the problem of redrawing Europe without concern for national culture German impact for the future

Significance of the French Revolution Age of Absolute Monarchy came to a definitive end, people were now the driving force of politics Republicanism replaced Absolutism Nationalism became a driving force throughout Europe Opened the door for modern era politics French Church experienced a major reconstruction and was forced to give up majority of power