French Revolution: Napoleon Forges An Empire

Objectives: 1.Explain how Napoleon came to power in France. 2.Summarize the steps Napoleon took to stabilize France and institute revolutionary reforms. 3.Describe the full extent of his empire up to 1812.

Emperor Napoleon (5:53)

I.Napoleon Grasps Power A.Napoleon wins key battles to save the struggling French Republic key victories against Austria/Sardinia gave France claim to part of Italy 2.Leads French invasion of Egypt a.bogs down  cut off from supply lines to France b.leaves army in Egypt and returns to France

Napoleon and the French Army (4:53)

B.Napoleon seizes political control from the Directory (1799) 1.stages a successful coup d’etat ( blow to the state-revolt) 2.success in battle and in diplomacy (making peace) leads to restoring some order back to France and in bring temporary peace to Europe.

II.Napoleon Rules France A.Fourth Constitution approved by the people gives Napoleon dictatorial powers in his position as First Consul of the Republic B.Issues several new reforms that reflect the spirit of the revolution 1.est. a National Bank and more equal system of taxation 2.est. a civil service based on merit (ability) rather than rank 3.est. a lycee system (public schools) to educate work force 4.makes peace with the Pope and the Church (The Concordat) 5.est. a comprehensive/ uniform set of laws and justice for the Empire (The Napoleonic Code)

C.Crowns himself Emperor of France (1804)

III.Napoleon Creates/Expands an Empire A.New World Holdings 1.plans to use America as a “bread basket” for a New World Empire he plans on establishing 2.revolt in Saint Domingue (1801) under able leadership of ex-slave Toussaint L’Ouverture changes his plan 3.sells New World holdings (Louisiana) to U.S. in 1803

Louisiana Purchase (00:52)

B.Conquers most of Europe 1.annexes the Austrian Netherlands & parts of Italy 2.est. a “puppet govt.” in Switzerland 3.Russia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden, and finally Britain form the Third Coalition to defeat him 4.Napoleon wins smashing military victory at Austerlitz (1805) against Austria (peak of Napoleon’s career) 5.signs treaties with all foes except Britain & immediately begins planning invasion of that country 6.Battle of Trafalgar (1805) a.naval battle off the southern coast of Spain b.Adm. Horatio Nelson defeats the French fleet c.Ends any threat of a French invasion of Britain

Napoleon and the French Navy (2:03)

C.Napoleon’s Empire in All Europe under his control except Britain, Portugal, & Sweden a.either by military conquest, through puppet govts., or by political alliances 2.the empire was huge but very unstable a. many nations under his control resented French domination and became very nationalistic b.would soon begin to crumble (only after 5 yrs.) due to some serious miscalculations on Napoleon’s part