1. The Rise of Napoleon
What movie is this from?

2. Background Sent to military school at age 10.
Started in the artillery as a 16 year old lieutenant.
When the revolution broke out he joined the New Republic’s Army
His legend began in 1795 when he put down a Royalist threat.
1796 the Directory appointed Napoleon General of the French Army against Austria and Sardinia.
He soon swept into Italy and won a series of victories.
Soon he became the most famous general in France

3. Napoleon’s Coup Directory quickly loses the faith of the people.
In 1799, Napoleon takes control of France by force and assumed a dictatorship.
He became emperor by using the plebiscites – election where you vote yes or no.
He won with overwhelming support. He was in the right the right time because France wanted a strong central leader.
Through a series of victories, Napoleon controls almost all of Europe

4. Reasons for His Success
It is an citizen army.
Excellent mobility (good cavalry, strike-retreat)
They live off the land
They look good, very intimidating
Louisiana Purchase – Napoleon sold a large tract of land to America to raise more money to help him fight back home

5. His Domination of Europe
By 1810, Napoleons empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to Russia.
As he marched across Europe, he eliminated serfdom, introduced religious tolerance, and spread the ideals of liberty and equality
Napoleon thought he was invincible
Napoleon at this time set up universal laws known as the Napoleonic Code
Code gave the country a uniform set of laws & eliminated many injustices
However, laws took away people’s individuals rights in return for order
Women lost many gains from the revolution, slavery was re-established & freedom of speech was limited

6. First Mistake Second Mistake
France lost to the British at the Battle of Trafalgar. Continental System -Napoleon cut off all trade between Britain and the rest of Europe.
Napoleon thought that this would cripple Britain.
However, the plan backfired when British formed a blockade to stop all French imports.
Napoleon misjudged the power of nationalism.
Nationalism inspired France during the revolution, it also inspired the Spanish and Germans.
Spain was outraged as Napoleon attacked Portugal through Spain
Napoleon lost over 300,000 men trying to wipe out the guerrillas of Spain and Germany

7. His Third Mistake
Napoleon invaded Russia because the Czar refused to stop selling grain to Britain.
He expected his Grand Army to destroy the smaller Russian force.
However, the Russians & Czar Alexander I retreated towards Moscow and burned everything as they went, thus not allowing the army to live off the land (called: scorched earth policy)
The worst winter in a hundred years hit Russia that winter.
The Russian’s completely burned Moscow.
Napoleon lost over 400,000 men in his retreat

8. An Injured Napoleon
Sensing that Napoleon had been fatally weakened, Britain formed a Grand Alliance against France.
This Alliance goal was to gain all land that Napoleon had taken.
Within a year the allies had defeated France and exiled Napoleon (kicked him out of France)
In 1815, he escaped for Elba and Returned to France for 100 Days.
A wave of Enthusiasm swept through France upon his return.
Thousands again joined Napoleon's Army

9. Waterloo
When British and Prussian armies rushed towards France, Napoleon met them at Waterloo (6/15/1815)
Napoleon was hurt by bad weather which forced him to delay his attack and allowed the Prussians to arrive in time to help
Hurt by poor choices of commanders
After a long battle, Napoleon's troops retreated
This ended Napoleons last bid for power.
The British exiled Napoleon to the Island of Helena and Napoleon died 6 years later.

10. Congress of Vienna
European heads of government wanted long lasting stability and peace throughout the continent ** Clemens von Metternich
Congress of Vienna was meeting of major powers to setup these goals in
The representatives of the five major powers (Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain & France) had three main goals:
1. Prevent further French aggression
2. Maintain balance of power, so no one country would be a threat to others
3. Restore Europe’s royal families b/c they felt democracy caused problems like war
The Congress helped establish peace in Europe for 35 years.