Napoleon’s Rise to Power aEarlier military career  the Italian Campaigns:   he conquered most of northern Italy for France, and had developed a taste for governing.  In northern Italy, he moved to suppress religious orders, end serfdom (feudalism), and limit age-old noble (rich) privilege. aEarlier military career  the Italian Campaigns:   he conquered most of northern Italy for France, and had developed a taste for governing.  In northern Italy, he moved to suppress religious orders, end serfdom (feudalism), and limit age-old noble (rich) privilege.

Napoleon’s Rise to Power aEarlier military career  the Egyptian Campaign:  1799  he was defeated by a British navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson, who destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.  Abandoning his troops in Egypt, Napoleon returned to France and received a hero’s welcome! aEarlier military career  the Egyptian Campaign:  1799  he was defeated by a British navy under Admiral Horatio Nelson, who destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile.  Abandoning his troops in Egypt, Napoleon returned to France and received a hero’s welcome!

Napoleon as “First Consul” aWith the government in disarray, Napoleon launched a successful coup d’ etat on November 9, aHe proclaimed himself “First Consul” [Julius Caesar’s title] and did away with the elected Assembly [appointing a Senate instead].  In 1802, he made himself sole “Consul for Life.”  Two years later he proclaimed himself “Emperor.” aWith the government in disarray, Napoleon launched a successful coup d’ etat on November 9, aHe proclaimed himself “First Consul” [Julius Caesar’s title] and did away with the elected Assembly [appointing a Senate instead].  In 1802, he made himself sole “Consul for Life.”  Two years later he proclaimed himself “Emperor.”

Concordat of 1801 aCatholicism was declared the religion of the majority of Frenchmen. aPapal acceptance of church lands lost during the Revolution. aBishops subservient to the regime. aEventually, Pope Pius VII renounced the Concordat, and Napoleon had him brought to France and placed under house arrest. aCatholicism was declared the religion of the majority of Frenchmen. aPapal acceptance of church lands lost during the Revolution. aBishops subservient to the regime. aEventually, Pope Pius VII renounced the Concordat, and Napoleon had him brought to France and placed under house arrest.

Napoleonic (Civil) Code: made one standard law code for everyone. Based on the principles of everyone being equal under the law. Religious toleration. Advancement based on a job well-done and the ability to perform the job rather than a person’s social class.

The Grand Alliance Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria Napoleon saw the British as his greatest threat. He started the Continental System: a blockade of British goods. Britain responded by finding new markets in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The Continental System aGOAL  to isolate Britain and promote Napoleon’s mastery over Europe. aBerlin Decrees (1806)  British ships were not allowed in European ports. a“Order in Council” (1806)  Britain proclaimed any ship stopping in Britain would be seized when it entered the Continent. aMilan Decree (1807)  Napoleon proclaimed any ship stopping in Britain would be seized when it entered the Continent. aThese edicts eventually led to the United States declaring war on Britain  WAR OF aGOAL  to isolate Britain and promote Napoleon’s mastery over Europe. aBerlin Decrees (1806)  British ships were not allowed in European ports. a“Order in Council” (1806)  Britain proclaimed any ship stopping in Britain would be seized when it entered the Continent. aMilan Decree (1807)  Napoleon proclaimed any ship stopping in Britain would be seized when it entered the Continent. aThese edicts eventually led to the United States declaring war on Britain  WAR OF 1812.

“The Spanish Ulcer” aNapoleon tricked the Spanish king and prince to come to France, where he imprisoned them. aHe proclaimed his brother, Joseph, to be the new king of Spain. aHe stationed over 100,000 Fr troops in Madrid. aOn May 2, 1808 [Dos de Mayo] the Spanish rose up in rebellion. aFr troops fired on the crowd in Madrid the next day [Tres de Mayo]. aNapoleon tricked the Spanish king and prince to come to France, where he imprisoned them. aHe proclaimed his brother, Joseph, to be the new king of Spain. aHe stationed over 100,000 Fr troops in Madrid. aOn May 2, 1808 [Dos de Mayo] the Spanish rose up in rebellion. aFr troops fired on the crowd in Madrid the next day [Tres de Mayo].

“The Spanish Ulcer” aNapoleon now poured 500,00 troops into Spain over the next few years. aBut, the Fr generals still had trouble subduing the Spanish population. aThe British viewed this uprising as an opportunity to weaken Napoleon.  They moved an army into Portugal to protect that country and to aid the Spanish guerillas. aAfter 5 long years of savage fighting, Fr troops were finally pushed back across the Pyrennes Mountains out of Spain. aNapoleon now poured 500,00 troops into Spain over the next few years. aBut, the Fr generals still had trouble subduing the Spanish population. aThe British viewed this uprising as an opportunity to weaken Napoleon.  They moved an army into Portugal to protect that country and to aid the Spanish guerillas. aAfter 5 long years of savage fighting, Fr troops were finally pushed back across the Pyrennes Mountains out of Spain. The Surrender of Madrid May, 1809 by Goya

The “Big Blunder” -- Russia aThe retreat from Spain came on the heels of Napoleon’s disastrous Russian Campaign ( ). aIn July, 1812 Napoleon led his Grand Armee of 614,000 men eastward across central Europe and into Russia.  The Russians avoided a direct confrontation with Napoleon.  They retreated to Moscow, drawing the French into the interior of Russia [hoping that it’s size and the weather would act as “support” for the Russian cause].  The Russian nobles abandoned their estates and burned their crops to the ground, leaving the French to operate far from their supply bases in territory stripped of food. aThe retreat from Spain came on the heels of Napoleon’s disastrous Russian Campaign ( ). aIn July, 1812 Napoleon led his Grand Armee of 614,000 men eastward across central Europe and into Russia.  The Russians avoided a direct confrontation with Napoleon.  They retreated to Moscow, drawing the French into the interior of Russia [hoping that it’s size and the weather would act as “support” for the Russian cause].  The Russian nobles abandoned their estates and burned their crops to the ground, leaving the French to operate far from their supply bases in territory stripped of food.

Russian General Kutuzov The Russian army defeated the French at Borodino.

September 7, 1812: Battle of Borodino Considered one of the biggest battle of the Napoleonic wars Battle of Borodino involved nearly 250,000 soldiers for both sides The French army consisted of approx. 120, 000 soldiers The Russian army consisted of approx. 155,000 soldiers On September 7 napoleon planned a series of frontal assaults. The battle started at 6:00 am and went on for the rest for the day, Napoleon succeeded in capturing the Moskwa river with his brilliant tactics. As the fighting calmed, Napoleon moved forward to asses the situation. Though his men triumphed they were badly hurt. Napoleon decided not to make a final push on the Russians. As a result Kutuzov the Russian general withdrew his men on September 8. The battle of Borodino cost napoleon 30-35k men while the Russians suffered casualties of 39-45k men. By: Wadood, Tristan and Mathew

Napoleon’s Retreat from Moscow (Early 1813) 100,000 French troops retreat—40,000 survive!

Waterloo Napoleon marched on to Waterloo, Belgium where he met a Prussian and British army. He was defeated. They sent him to a small island in the Atlantic called St. Helena where he lived until he died.