18.3. THE AGE OF NAPOLEON Big Idea: Napoleon spreads revolutionary ideas. We all know that Napoleon was short ( 5” 3”-7”) but he did caste a very long shadow over history. He cements himself in history as a great military genius, leader, and emperor of France. Watch 3 min video of Napoleon’s life – history channel

The Age of Napoleon Early Life Born in Corsica -minor nobility Military Success (Italy & Egypt) 1799 Coup d'état (overthrow Directory) Established Consulate government -Napoleon was 1st Consul. 1804 emperor He was born in Corsica to so he was not even French but Corsican which made his time at the military school less than enjoyable. Corsicans were not seen as on the same level as French. The Provence of Corsica had been taken over by the French just before Napoleon was born. It had actually been part of Italy originally. At 9 his parents sent him to military school which would start him on the path to greatness. By 16 he completed his schooling as a lieutenant in the military. Today our soldier complete this task in their twenties if they start at 18. Napoleon would have an outstanding military career; siege of Toulon where he defeated the British fleet/ in Paris where he put down a rioting mob and protected the Directory- he was then made the head of the Italian army. During this time he also met his first wife Josephine. While there was turmoil in France napoleon convinced the Directory that troops needed to be sent to Egypt to secure trade routes for France and keep the British from Establishing them and gaining trade control. The battle went well at first but eventually the British Gain the upper hand . While half of his army is being killed Napoleon sneaks back to France to try and save a failing government, but in the end will end up advancing himself. October 16th 1799 Napoleon returned from Egypt to the government. He completed a self promotional campaign since no one really realized what had happened in Egypt and that it was an ultimate fail on his part. With the support of the people he gained control of the French government by November in a coup and became the first consul. This power was shared with to others but napoleon consolidated all the power himself. He tool gains to initialize the gains of the revolution and restore political stability to the country. By December 1804 Napoleon is crowned emperor of France by pope Pius the VII but he crowned himself and his wife because the pope handed him the crown. He this to protect the French government, legitimize himself as leader, raise himself to the same level as other European Sovereigns, and reflect the nations esteem for the Roman republic which he so idealized. Also France had had so many wars that they had basically created and empire across Europe. Napoleon held back no expense for the coronation hiring the very best artist to depict the event. Sadly his mother would not attend so she had to be painted into the coronation depiction to complete the scence.

Napoleon’s Domestic Policies Established peace with Catholic Church Called the Concordat of 1804. Recognized churches influence –no political control Codification of the Laws CIVIL CODE or Napoleonic Code.-Preserved revolutionary principles Set back for women Censorship A New Bureaucracy based on merit Napoleon had once said that he was the protector of the gains of the Revolution- How was this true since he had ended the French republic by becoming emperor. Even though he did take away the republic he was an enlightened man and a follower of enlightened ideas. Examples: Remember that during the French revolution the Catholic church had lost much of its power and wealth because it had been taken away to help support the new government. Napoleon was not a religious man but understood that most of the country was still catholic and in order to have the full support he needed he needed to appease the populace. He did this by recognizing that the Catholicism was the majority religion of France and because of the recognition the church did not ask for its lands back which made the owners of the lands very happy. France originally had about 300 codes of law to follow. This was way to many and confusing so the goal during the French rev was to consolidate the codes. This did not happen until Napoleon came to power and condensed the laws in to seven codes. The most important was the civil code or the Napoleonic code which protected the ideas of the revolution: equality of all citizens/ right to choose a profession/ religious toleration/ abolition of serfdom. The rights of women though were not protected they could not longer inherit property and it was made much harder for a women to get a divorce for her husband. Only 22% of the old regime had a role in the new government- the other 66% were of the middle class which is what the bourgeoisies had been fighting for all along. So was he a protector like he stated- in the sense that all were made equal yes ( not women) and that the he opened up the government. No in the fact that he did not protect liberty and replaced it with despotism (a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power :  absolutism) For example all newspapers had to go through government revision before being published. Click on the dog for north Korean propaganda video (4:30)

Napoleon’s Empire Revolutionary Principals Spread Napoleon’s Empire had 3 parts French empire- inner core of empire. Dependent states- kingdoms ruled by Napoleon’s relatives Allied states- countries defeated by Napoleon & then forced to join his war against Britain. Revolutionary Principals Spread Legal equality Religious toleration Economic freedom As Napoleon conquered Europe he created an empire, but little did he know that the enlightened ideas (nationalism) he did promote and spread will lead to his demise. The coalition was Russia, Great Britain, and Austria ( remember they had wanted to restore the French government and also gain control of French territory). The spread of French revolutionary principles was an important factor in the development of liberal traditions of these countries. Two major reasons to help the empire collapse are the next two points.

Reasons for Collapse British resistance Couldn’t conquer Britain CONTINENTAL SYSTEM -stop British goods from reaching European continent -failed . Nationalism- unique identity based on language, religion, & national symbols. Britain is an island and has only been invaded once by the French of Normandy who were the first British kings. Britain at the time of Napoleon was a major sea power and had a very strong trade economy. Napoleon could not defeat their navy but he thought he could collapse them economically by keeping the countries within his empire from trading with Britain. This failed because the allied countries did not like being told this and instead traded with Britain behind Napoleons back. This is this is what caused the fail of the Continental system. Also that other ports for British goods had opened in Asia and south America. Nationalism was brought to the rest of Europe by napoleon because as he invaded countries he tried to establish new rules that related to France and people saw the pride of France by the people because it was the nation of the people. People became angry that napoleon was now coming in and trying to take away their identity. They established their own sense of nationalism and as a result began to revolt against Napoleon( Germanies, Spain, Italy, and Poland).

Fall of Napoleon 1812 Disaster in Russia Russia refused continental system-Napoleon invaded Russia Retreated (scotched Earth policy) Russians attack & win European Nations rise up- Napoleon exiled to Elba Louis XVIII crowned –little support Napoleon returns Battle of Waterloo defeated Exiled to St. Helena (remained till death) Out of the 600,000 men only 40,000 survived (Hitler will make the exact same mistake in WWII) - Other European states as a result of the weakened French army decided to rise up against Napoleon. He was defeated and exiled to the Elba and replaced by the Brother of Louis XVI, Louis XVIII by the coalition of European forces. The people did not like the ne king and that was all napoleon needed to convince him to return. He escaped Elba march 1815. He march through Paris and within days had regained his throne. European powers quickly once again mustered their armies and met in Waterloo Belgium to fight. June 1815 Napoleon is defeated and sent to the island of St Helen in the south Atlantic where he will die of a stomach ailment after long six years of exile.

Section 3 Review Napoleon’s birthplace Corsica Napoleon’s unified law system Civil code Napoleon’s military force was called what? Grand Army Napoleon’s Continental System was designed to stop this countries trade with Europe Britain’s

Section 3 Review Napoleon’s relatives ruled Dependent states Napoleon’s agreement with the Catholic Church did all of the following(3 things) Recognized Catholicism as the majority religion of France Made those who had purchased church land his supporters. Restored some stability to France

Section 3 Review Napoleon’s Civil Code treated women like what? As less than equal to men Promotion within Napoleon’s government and military was based on what? Ability Napoleon’s final defeat Waterloo Napoleon’s government after 1799 The consulate