The Napoleonic Era Post-Revolution France

Napoleon Bonaparte

From General to Emperor General of the French army Overthrew the Directory First Consul Emperor of the French Democratic Despotism

The Napoleonic Code Order, security and efficiency replaced liberty, equality, and fraternity Infrastructure and education Restoration of Catholic Church under state control Improved middle class with economic reforms Government jobs based on merit Equality before the law, religious toleration, and the abolition of feudalism

The Grand Empire Military control of most of Europe Brilliant military tactician Annexed Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany

The Battle of Trafalgar French set their sights on Great Britain Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson led the British navy against the French The French fleet lost 22 ships The English lost none Admiral Nelson was mortally wounded but lived to see the victory “Thank God I have done my duty”

The Continental System Attacked Britain’s economy by closing European ports to British goods Britain’s navy maintained open trade routes with America and India Rising prices caused by scarcity of goods Nationalism in Spain and Austria disrupted French influence and diverted troops Nationalism: devotion and loyalty to one's own nation

Invasion of Russia: ,000 soldiers and 50,000 horses Russian scorched-earth policy Long supply lines, lack of food and shelter Could not sustain army for the whole winter Retreated in October Only 20,000 French soldiers returned from the 1000-mile retreat

French Decline Unified European armies defeated a weakened Napoleon in 1813 Napoleon abdicated and was banished Louis XVIII was crowned king Napoleon escaped and returned in 1815 Popular support lasted for 100 days until his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo by a combined army of European allies

Congress of Vienna Gathering of Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and France Strengthened the countries surrounding France Restored governments as they were in 1792 The Quadruple Alliance (Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia) would endure for 100 years Overlooked rising nationalism

Napoleon’s Legacy Napoleonic Code included French Revolution ideas Constitutional elections were common More access to education and property rights Many rights of the Revolution were restricted Conquest ignited nationalism throughout Europe that would provoke future revolutions

Discussion Questions Was Napoleon a national hero or a tyrant? What makes a leader a hero or a tyrant? Who are some modern heroes and tyrants?