From Citizen to Emperor The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte Mr. Bach Accelerated World History Hudson High School
Why Now? Time of Chaos –Internal –External Weak Government Long Period of Uncertainty and Instability Need for a charismatic, accomplished leader
Early Life Corsican who became an accomplished student of artillery in the most elite French military school
“The Whiff of Grapeshot” Saves the republic against an attack by Royalist Counter- Revolutionaries
Italian Expedition ( ) Conquered most of Northern Italy for France Limited religious power, ended serfdom, restricted feudalism
Egyptian Campaign (1798) Navy defeated by Admiral Nelson (Eng.) Abandons army in Egypt, but returns to France a hero.
Egyptian Campaign (1798)
The Coup d’etat (1799) Uses military power to seize control of government from Directory “First Consul”
Validation of Rule (1800) Plebiscite – vote of the people to approve new constitution. Gives Napoleon ultimate power.
Lycees Government- run public schools All males eligible Merit – not privilege
Concordat (1801) Heal divisions with the Catholic Church Catholicism dominant (but not only) religion of France Could not influence government
Napoleonic Code Everyone is equal before the law Feudal privilege is official dead However, restricted civil liberties
Napoleonic Code
The Order of the Legion of Honor (1802) Rewarded soldiers based on merit on the battlefield
The Americas ( ) Enslaved Africans defeat the French in Haiti Sells Louisiana to the Americans –Way to weaken England
Defeating the Second Coalition (1800) Battle of Marengo –Defeats the Austrians in Italy
Napoleon Crossing the Alps
Napoleonic Warfare Quick movement across vast areas Artillery as a force to support infantry Calvary of renewed importance Use of spies and deception Fast battlefield communication (semaphore line) Concentrating troops on a surprised enemy (Strength vs. Weakness) Turning the flank! Warfare on a broader front and focused on destruction of the enemy army
Emperor Napoleon I (1804) Makes himself emperor (equal footing with Europe?) Crowns himself!
The Crowning of Empress Josephine