Moderates Return Stages of the Revolution Beginning in 1795, a five-man “Directory” supported by a legislature held power in France. However, this government was weak and inefficient, which led to the rise of the ambitious military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon in Power His Rise to Power When the revolution started Napoleon was a low level military officer with dreams of glory. He gained popularity for his victories against the British and Austrians. In 1799 Napoleon used his popularity to orchestrate a coup d’ etat, or revolt by military leaders to overthrow a government. Three years later he took the title of “Emperor of the French” and gained absolute power. Hoping for stability, the French supported Napoleon.

Napoleon in Power Napoleon’s Achievements Napoleon was a very effective ruler in many aspects such as: 1. Economy – Napoleon controlled prices, supported new industry, and built roads and canals. 2. Education – Napoleon established a government - supervised public school system. 3. Napoleonic Code – Napoleon established a legal code that included many Enlightenment ideas, such as the legal equality of citizens and religious toleration.

Napoleon in Power Napoleon’s Empire From 1804 to 1814 Napoleon conquered much of Europe and ruled an empire. He often replaced the monarchs of defeated nations with his friends and relatives. Of the European powers, only Britain and Russia remained out of Napoleon’s reach. Britain was shielded from French troops by a powerful navy and the English Channel.

Napoleon in Power

Napoleon’s Fall Napoleon’s empire began to crumble for several reasons: 1. Nationalism - most people in conquered states looked upon Napoleon’s armies as foreign oppressors. Inspired by nationalism, people across Europe revolted against French rule.

Napoleon in Power Napoleon’s Fall Napoleon’s empire began to crumble for several reasons: 2. Failed Russian Invasion (1812) – As Napoleon’s armies invaded from the west, Russian armies retreated eastward and burned crops and villages to leave nothing behind for the ensuing French, which is called a “scorched earth” policy. French troops became hungry and cold, and most of Napoleon’s army was lost during the winter.

Napoleon in Power Napoleon’s Fall A year after Napoleon’s loss in Russia, an alliance between Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia defeated Napoleon, forcing him to step down in Napoleon would return to power in 1815, but the British and Prussians decisively defeated him at the battle of Waterloo, which ended his reign, and he lived the rest of his life in exile.

Effects of the French Revolution The French Revolution and the reign of Napoleon transformed both France and Europe in many ways: 1. Democratic Ideals – Napoleon’s conquests spread the ideals of democracy across Europe. Groups strived to achieve the goals of the French republic: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.” People wanted liberty from monarchs, social equality, and fraternity, or brotherhood by working together for a common cause.

Effects of the French Revolution The French Revolution and the reign of Napoleon transformed both France and Europe in many ways: 2. Nationalism – Napoleon’s conquests inspired feelings of national pride among the French, as well as nationalistic feelings in those nations that were oppressed by Napoleon. His conquests had a part in the eventual unification of both Italy and Germany, and his weakening of Spain led to the Latin American independence movements.

Summary Enlightenment ideas about natural rights and rejection of absolutist authority inspired major revolutions in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Colonists in America declared independence from Britain in 1776 and created a government based on the ideas of Locke and Montesquieu. Influenced by the American Revolution, revolutionaries in France overturned the monarchy and created a new social order. Napoleon helped spread revolutionary ideals across Europe. Both the American and French Revolutions contributed to revolutions in Latin America in the early 1800s.