The Thermidorian Reaction  July 27, 1794: Execution of Robespierre  Girondists (moderates) take control  1795: THE DIRECTORY is established Five man executive body Members of the BOURGEOISIE PROBLEM: incompetent and corrupt

ENTER NAPOLEON……  Napoleon Bonaparte  Born on CORSICA  1793 began making a name for himself against France’s enemies abroad  Overthrew Directory in 1799 by COUP D’ETAT Coup d’etat = swift overthrow by force

COUP D’ETAT  Following coup, Napoleon must LEGITIMIZE his takeover  Holds a vote for people of France to approve of NEW CONSTITUTION  Overwhelming majority agree  WHY? He promises a restoration of order

Changes under Napoleon…. ECONOMIC ◦ Encouraged industry, controlled prices SOCIAL ◦ Public schools POLITICAL ◦ Males had more power ◦ Authority and order more important than rights of the individual RELIGIOUS ◦ CONCORDAT OF 1801: made peace with the Catholic Church AND made Catholicism the official religion of France

Problems for Napoleon…..  Napoleon wants an EMPIRE  Countries under his control: All of France, part of Italy, Spain

Napoleon’s defeat….. Russia is first country to leave Continental System Napoleon invades Russia in ,000 French soldiers invade Russia 100,000 return defeated WHY? ◦ Russia is FREEZING! ◦ Russia has “scorched earth” policy ◦ Crops are burned so enemy cannot survive

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow

Napoleonic Code Napoleonic Code established in 1804 ○ All men were given the same rights before law ○ Rights of women were all but abolished ○ Civil marriages and divorces allowed ○ Middle-class were favored ○ Labor unions banned ○ Free education for all Lycees = high schools Merit vs. ascription ○ Bank of France to handle government $$$

WATERLOO  This is the final battle between Napoleon and the allies of the King of France  Napoleon is defeated in Waterloo, Belgium by the English Duke of Wellington and Prussian General Blucher  1821: Napoleon dies on the island of St. Helena