1. The Napoleonic Era

2. I. Napoleon Bonaparte War w/Brit., Austria, & Sardinia gave opps. for rising leaders 1795-1799: Napoleon Bonaparte  Suppressed uprising in Paris  Corsican  Military school in Fr. (artillery officer)  Ambitious & military genius Napoleonic Wars (1796-1815)

3. Could move troops rapidly to critical pts. 1796: Directory appointed Nap. to lead army against Aust. & Sardinia  Defeated Aust. 4 times  Took control of northern Italy  Directory worried about his rising status Nap. cont’d to seek new conquests (Egypt)  1798: Nap. failed near Alexandria (Brits.)  Lied about successes—still the hero!! Second Coalition: Brit., Aust., & Russia  Drove Fr. out of Italy

4. A. Napoleon’s Seizure of Power Poor domestic conditions gave Nap. opp. By 1799: people had lost confidence in Directory Plot to place Nap. in power  Drove out 4 directors  Dissolved Directory  coup d’etat (seizure of power by force) Nap. became dictator of Fr.  1799-1814: Napoleonic Era or Age of Napoleon  People accepted this  He supported changes by Fr. Rev.

5. II. Napoleon & the Consulate Nap. reorganized admin. of Fr.  Executive branch (3 Consuls) –the Consulate Nap. = “First Consul”  None of Consulate’s legislative bodies had real power  Nap. submitted his const. to people for vote thru a plebiscite People approved Fr. laws revised into the Napoleonic Code  Promoted authority over individual rights

6. Nap. est. Bank of Fr. Public education Civil Rights of the Clergy (1790)  Nap. signed the concordant w/Pope (1801) Restored position of Church in Fr. Nap. destroyed the Second Coalition  He kept his promises for peace, govt., & economic prosperity

7. III. Napoleon as Emperor 1804: people declared Fr. an empire & Nap. as Emperor Coronation at Cathedral of Notre Dame  Nap. undermined Pope’s authority Fr. Empire was great! Was Brit. next?  Third Coalition

8. Battle of Trafalgar (1805)  Brit. destroyed Fr. & Spanish fleets  Brit. no longer in danger

9. A. The Continental System Nap. sought to disrupt Brit. trade The Continental System = Fr. blockade of Brit. Isles Brits. imposed blockade against Fr.  Hurt Fr.  Nap. cont’d to win  Dec. 1805: Third Coalition collapsed

10. B. The Reorganization of Euro by 1808: Nap. dominated Euro  Aust. & Prussia signed treaties  Russia allied w/Fr.  Confederation of the Rhine  Abolished H.R. Emp.  Unified all northern Italian states  Placed members of fam. on conquered thrones Napoleonic Code, abolished feudalism & serfdom Awakened a nationalist spirit in those conquered  Opposition copied Nap’s military strategies

11. C. The Peninsular War 1807: Port. refused to observe Continental System  Fr. occupied Port. Nap. conquered Spain  Placed Joseph Bonaparte (bro) on throne  1808: Spanish revolt Brits. sent army to Spain & Port.  Peninsular War—1808-1814 1814: Spain gave Joseph the boot  New const. = limited monarchy

12. D. Catastrophe in Russia Czar Alexander I = alarmed w/Nap’s domination Continental System disrupted Russian/Brit. Trade  1812: Russia ignores it Nap. invaded Russia w/his Grand Army  Not as “driven” as earlier Fr. armies Spring 1812: Nap. marched into Russia Russian approach = scorched-earth policy Fall 1812: Fr. captured Moscow  Russians burned it  Harsh Russian winter

14. Oct. 19, 1812: Fr. Retreat Nap’s retreat = one of greatest military disasters By Dec. = Grand Army lost over 2/3 of troops Russians pursued Fr.

15. E. Final Defeat W. Euro. monarchs broke ties w/Nap. Prussia, Aust., G.B. joined Russia (alliance) Nap’s old strategy failed Oct. 1813: Nap. defeated at Saxony March 1814: allies captured Paris Nap. gave up claims to throne  Retired to Elba

16. Allies = Fr. will NEVER disrupt Euro again!  Restored Bourbon monarchy (Louis XVIII)

17. F. The Hundred Days Restored Bourbons made many enemies  Nap plotted his return (escaped from Elba) If there be one among you who wishes to kill his Emperor, he can. I come to offer myself to your assaults. Nap triumphed in Paris—began prd. called the Hundred Days  Louis = fled

18. Prussia, Brit., & Netherlands moved into Fr. June 18, 1815: Fr. army defeated at Waterloo Nap. abdicated, Bourbons returned Nap. sent to St. Helena (d. 1821)