The Rise and Fall of Napoleon How did Napoleon gain power in France and eventually lose his empire?

Napoleon Takes Power After Robespierre’s execution, Committee of Public Safety abolished War continues, Royalists try to take over the French Assembly 1795: Napoleon Bonaparte leads troops against Royalists Easy win – seen as hero & appointed General of the Army 1796: leads troops to win over Austria but loses to British in Egypt 1799: people losing confidence in the Assembly Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état Jan 1800: Plebiscite (vote of the people) approves a new constitution New constitution gives unlimited power to Napoleon =

Napoleon Changes France Napoleon begins public schools (Lycée) He removes corrupt Government Officials He creates new laws called Napoleonic Code Code gave France “uniform” laws & eliminated injustices, but also limited freedoms gained in the revolution & restored slavery 1802: All wars in Europe end 1803: Napoleon loses slave revolt in Haiti & sells Louisiana Terr. To US Napoleon happy to gain $ from sale and make US a power 1804: Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France – people approve

Napoleonic Wars 1804: Napoleon uses US money to establish an Empire in Europe Annexes Italian States, Netherlands & puts puppet govt. in Switzerland Battle of Austerlitz 1808: Invades Spain and puts his brother Joseph on the throne Spanish use “guerilla warfare” during Peninsular War Peninsular War 1805: Fights British Navy & loses Battle of Traflagar Countries that lose forced to sign peace treaties with France Battle of Traflagar 1805: British ask other countries to help them stop Napoleon Napoleon crushes Austrian Austerlitz

Napoleon’s Empire Collapsing Russian Czar against Continental System June 1812: France invades Russia Czar Alexander used “scorched-earth policy” Dec 1812: Cold Russian winter then sets in, Russians start attacking Napoleon’s tired & hungry army (422K to start – 28K left to retreat) Napoleon tries to Blockade Britain – Continental System Britain & US fight War of 1812 US wants to help Napoleon

Napoleon’s Final Chapter 1814: Napoleon defeated in Napoleonic Wars & is exiled to Elba Louis XVIII (the brother of Louis XVI) takes the throne in France Louis XVIII becomes Absolute Monarch, people upset 1815: Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France. French people are happy to see his return –the “100 days” begins Napoleon quickly recruits an army and retakes France Rest of Europe get their armies together to put a stop to Napoleon once and for all Napoleon’s forces fight the British army at Battle of Waterloo Britain holds Napoleon’s army until arrival of Prussia’s army (1815) Napoleon is defeated and the British send him to a remote island (St. Helena) in the South Atlantic Ocean On the island, Napoleon lives alone and dies of a stomach ailment (probably cancer) in 1821

Voices from the Past: Napoleon’s Mysterious End 1.What was the original diagnosis about Napoleon's death? 2.What is the new theory of Napoleon’s death? How do we know this information? 3.Who are the suspects in Napoleon’s death? (four answers) 4.Which theory do you believe and why?