 Early Life and Rise to Prominence – ( )  The Italian and Egyptian Campaigns ( )  Coup d’ Etat (1799)  The Consulate – ( )  The French Empire and Napoleonic Wars ( )

Corsica Corsica became a French colony in Napoleon was born there in 1769 and was thus born a French Citizen.

Napoleon Crossing the Alps - Jacques Louis David

Napoleon Crossing the Alps - Unknown

Napoleon in the Political Arena

Coup d ‘etat, overthrowing the Directory and forms a new government The Consulate In 1799, Napoleon stages a Coup d ‘etat, overthrowing the Directory and forms a new government The Consulate First Consul He installs himself as First Consul for 10 years. plebiscite, In 1802, in a plebiscite, he is elected by the French people as First Consul for life. In 1802, Napoleon ends the wars of the Second Coalition by making peace with England (Treaty of Amiens). In 1802, Napoleon ends the wars of the Second Coalition by making peace with England (Treaty of Amiens). The Consulate He then sets out to reform the French government and economy. He then sets out to reform the French government and economy.

Preserved many of the changes from the revolution Preserved many of the changes from the revolution Created laws that strengthened central government and bureaucracy based on merit. “Careers Open to Talent” Created laws that strengthened central government and bureaucracy based on merit. “Careers Open to Talent” Set up an efficient tax collection system bringing great wealth to the government and stabilizing the economy. Set up an efficient tax collection system bringing great wealth to the government and stabilizing the economy. Established the Bank of France which strengthened French currency. Established the Bank of France which strengthened French currency. Granted amnesty to 100,000 émigrés. Granted amnesty to 100,000 émigrés. Created lycees (public high schools) open to all male children Created lycees (public high schools) open to all male children Made peace with the church in The Concordant of Made peace with the church in The Concordant of The Catholic Church was granted “special status” as the religion of the majority. All religions were permitted. The Catholic Church was granted “special status” as the religion of the majority. All religions were permitted. All clergy was paid by state (Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish) All clergy was paid by state (Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish) Christian calendar was returned to France Christian calendar was returned to France Pope Pius VII renounced Church property seized during the Revolution but was given more control over the Papal States. Pope Pius VII renounced Church property seized during the Revolution but was given more control over the Papal States. His greatest legacy was the development of the Napoleonic Code. His greatest legacy was the development of the Napoleonic Code. Napoleonic Reforms

Gave France a uniform set of laws. Gave France a uniform set of laws. Limited individual liberty and promoted authority over individual rights. Limited individual liberty and promoted authority over individual rights. Allowed freedom of religion Allowed freedom of religion Guaranteed that government jobs were based on merit rather than social status. Guaranteed that government jobs were based on merit rather than social status. Restored slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean. (This led to successful independence movement in Haiti) Restored slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean. (This led to successful independence movement in Haiti) The code became the basis of many legal systems in Europe and Latin America. The code became the basis of many legal systems in Europe and Latin America. The Napoleonic Code

 In 1804 another plebiscite is held creating the French Empire and Napoleon is named as the Emperor.  In a lavish ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral he crowns himself as Emperor Napoleon I in and crowns his wife Josephine as Empress. (He did not allow the Pope to place the crown). The French Empire

Coronation of Emperor Napoleon I Jacques-Louis David, 1807

Crowning of Empress Josephine

Napoleon in the Military Arena

Napoleon’s Domination of Europe After becoming emperor, Napoleon began preparing an invasion of Great Britain Third CoalitionIn 1805, the British declared war on France and formed the Third Coalition Two major battles decided the fate of this Coalition. They were: The Battle of Cape TrafalgarThe Battle of Cape Trafalgar The Battle of AusterlitzThe Battle of Austerlitz

Battle of Cape Trafalgar October 21, 1805  Napoleon planned to destroy the British navy and invade England  A combined French and Spanish fleet lured the British into a battle off the southern coast of Spain  The British under Admiral Horatio Nelson destroyed the fleet. However, Nelson was killed in the battle  The defeat caused Napoleon to abandon plans to invade Britain Admiral Horatio Nelson

Battle of Austerlitz ( December 2, 1805)  The Russians were forced to flee back to Poland Treaty of Pressburg  The Austrians signed the Treaty of Pressburg, making them an ally of France. The Holy Roman Empire Confederation of the Rhine  Napoleon broke up The Holy Roman Empire and formed the Confederation of the Rhine. He added it to his empire. Napoleon crushed a much larger combined Austrian and Russian Army at the small Austrian town of Austerlitz by luring them into a trap. Austerlitz is considered on of the most brilliant battle plans in history

Napoleon’s Defeat of Prussia Napoleon’s Defeat of Prussia After Napoleon created the Confederation of the Rhine, the Prussians began to fear his plans for the German territory The Prussians decided to attack the French unaided. Big Mistake! French and Prussian forces met in two major battles which gave Napoleon control of Western Europe. They were: –The Battle of Jena –The Battle of Friedland Arc de Triomphe, Paris Built in 1807 to commemorate Napoleon’s victories

Battle of Jena1806 Battle of Jena French forces crushed the Prussians and drove them into Poland Napoleon captured and occupied Berlin The Prussian army retreated into Poland and joined the Russian forces which had been defeated earlier at Austerlitz The new alliance planned to defeat Napoleon at the Polish town of Friedland

Battle of Friedland - (June 1807)  Napoleon defeated a combined Russian and Prussian Army Prussia became an ally of France  Napoleon created the Grand Duchy of Warsaw as a buffer against Russia  Napoleon met with Russian Czar Alexander I and signed the Peace of Tilsit which gave France control of Western Europe and allowed Russia to control Eastern Europe

The Continental System Continental System.In an attempt to crush the British economy, Napoleon ordered all European countries to stop trading with England. This was known as the Continental System. Orders in CouncilBritain responded with Orders in Council, blockading European ports. The navies of both sides seized neutral ships, especially American ships. In the long run, France was hurt more by the Continental System than was England

The Peninsular Campaign ( )  Portugal refused to join the Continental System. In 1808, Napoleon decided to invade and force them to join  After defeating Portugal, Napoleon tried to conquer Spain and he placed his brother Joseph on the throne.  Intense Spanish nationalism led to savage guerilla warfare between the Spanish people and French troops. The Spanish were aided by British armies.  The campaign dragged on for 6 years.  More than 300,000 French soldiers died. These men would be needed later.  The Spanish success aroused Nationalism throughout Europe, and inspired subjected countries to fight back.

The Third of May 1808 Massacre of Spanish Peasants by French Troops during the Peninsular Campaign Francisco Goya, 1810

The Russian Campaign 1812 In 1810, Russian Czar Alexander I withdrew from the Continental System. In 1810, Russian Czar Alexander I withdrew from the Continental System. Napoleon assembled a Grand Army of 600,000 soldiers to invade Russia and force them back into the Continental System. They set off for Russia in early summer of Napoleon assembled a Grand Army of 600,000 soldiers to invade Russia and force them back into the Continental System. They set off for Russia in early summer of The Russians retreated slowly refusing to engage in battle and “scorching the earth” as they withdrew. The Russians retreated slowly refusing to engage in battle and “scorching the earth” as they withdrew. The two armies finally fought near Moscow at the Battle of Borodino in early September. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Russia continued to pull back. They burned Moscow as they retreated. The two armies finally fought near Moscow at the Battle of Borodino in early September. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. Russia continued to pull back. They burned Moscow as they retreated. The French occupied Moscow in mid September waiting for the Russians to surrender. They never did. The French occupied Moscow in mid September waiting for the Russians to surrender. They never did. By late fall the French troops were forced to abandon Moscow and begin returning to France. As winter set in it became the most disastrous retreat in military history By late fall the French troops were forced to abandon Moscow and begin returning to France. As winter set in it became the most disastrous retreat in military history By the time they left Russia only 10,000 soldiers remained. By the time they left Russia only 10,000 soldiers remained.

Defeat at the Battle of Nations Leipzig Oct 16-19, 1813 After the disastrous Russian campaign Napoleon returned to Paris and organized a new army. After the disastrous Russian campaign Napoleon returned to Paris and organized a new army. The powers of Europe formed a new Fourth Coalition and began closing in on him. The powers of Europe formed a new Fourth Coalition and began closing in on him. From Oct , 1813 the “Battle of Nations” raged in Leipzig. (Prussia) From Oct , 1813 the “Battle of Nations” raged in Leipzig. (Prussia) Napoleon’s army was defeated. He retreated to Paris and was forced to abdicate in April Napoleon’s army was defeated. He retreated to Paris and was forced to abdicate in April He was sent into exile on the island of Elba off the coast of Italy. He was sent into exile on the island of Elba off the coast of Italy.

Exile to Elba and The Hundred Days  On Elba, Napoleon was allowed to retain his title, and take his family and court, as long as he promised to remain in exile.  Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI) was restored to the French crown.  While European leaders met at the Congress of Vienna to address the problems of the revolution and wars, Napoleon escaped and returned to France where he was welcomed back and joined by the still loyal French military.  This was known as the “Hundred Days” in which he ruled again.  Louis XVIII was forced into exile.

Napoleon’s Final Downfall The nations that had defeated Napoleon earlier at Leipzig sent troops again. The nations that had defeated Napoleon earlier at Leipzig sent troops again. These armies defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, These armies defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on June 18, This time he was sent into exile on a desolate island St. Helena in the South Atlantic. This time he was sent into exile on a desolate island St. Helena in the South Atlantic. He died in 1821 from stomach cancer. He body was later returned to Paris and lies in an honored position He died in 1821 from stomach cancer. He body was later returned to Paris and lies in an honored position