Vocabulary
Napoleon- The military genius who became ruler of France.
Napoleonic Code- A system of laws for France created by Napoleon that promoted order & authority over individual rights.
EQ: WHAT EVENTS CAUSED THE RISE AND FALL OF NAPOLEAN?
Warm-Up
What governments were adopted by France during the Revolution?
NAPOLEON
Military Hero
Born on the island of Corsica Family were minor nobles
When he was 20 years old, he became a lieutenant in the army1. Military successes 1793, drove British
forces out of the Port of Toulon
2. Led expedition to Egypt Disaster However, important
discovery made-Rosetta Stone
Napoleon overthrows the Directory
1799, Directory is corrupt and a failure Napoleon sets up 3 man
governing board, The Consulate
New Constitution is created
Napoleon names himself 1st Consul 1802 becomes consul
for life 1804 he became so
powerful he declared himself emperor
Each step in his rise to power was legitimate Napoleon held
plebiscites Ballots which voters
say yes or no on an issue
He was always strongly supported!
Napoleon’s Rule
Stability and Order Regulated the economy,
controlled prices, encouraged new industry, built roads
Public schools Concordat of 1801
Made peace with Roman Catholic Church
Allows religious freedom but Church still under state control
Encouraged emigres to return to France
Allowed peasants to retain land purchased from Church and nobles during Revolution
Napoleonic Code
New Law Code Embodied
Enlightenment principles Equality before the law Religious toleration Advancement based on
merit He also undid reforms
of the Revolution Women lost many of the
rights they gained Considered minors
before the law
Creates the Grand Empire
1804-1814 Annexed the Netherlands,
Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany
He placed friends and relatives on the thrones of Europe Placed his brother on the
throne of Spain Divorced his wife to
marry a Hapsburg princess Allowed him to claim kinship
to the ancient ruling families of Europe
France vs. Britain
Britain was their main enemy Napoleon wanted to
invade England 1805, French fleet was
destroyed at the Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon instead wages an economic war through the Continental System Closed European ports to
British goods Britain responds with
blockade of European ports
Failed to destroy Britain and hurts French economy
Peninsular War 1808-1814
Portugal defies Continental System
Napoleon takes his army through Spain and removes the Spanish King in favor of his brother Joseph
Spanish Guerilla fighters cause massive French losses- 300,000
Downfall of Napoleon
Tsar Alexander I resigns from Continental system Napoleon responds
by invading with 600,000 soldiers from France and other European countries
Disaster
To avoid Napoleon’s army, Russia retreats east and used “Scorched Earth Policy” Burned villages and
crops as they went Policy left Napoleon’s
army hungry and cold
Famine, snow and ice defeat Napoleon
Napoleon retreats Less than 100,000 of
600,000 survived Russia, Britain, Austria,
and Prussia defeat Napoleon
Napoleon’s reputation is shattered
Napoleon is forced to abdicate his thrown He is exiled to the island
of Elba Louis XVIII, brother of
Louis XVI, is made King
Napoleon Returns
Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France
Louis XVIII runs away
March 1815 Napoleon becomes Emperor
Waterloo
Defeated after only 100 days Duke of Wellington
crushes the French in the Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon is exiled once again, this time to St. Helena, never to return
Congress of Vienna
September 1814-June 1815
Important players: Prince Metternich
of Austria Czar Alexander I of
Russia Lord Castlereagh of
Britain
Goals of Vienna
Create a long lasting Peace
Restore the balance of Power to Europe
Restore the ruling families that were in power before French Revolution
No one nation should be strong enough the threaten the security of the other
GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
EQ: WHAT EVENTS CAUSED THE RISE AND FALL OF NAPOLEAN?
Reflection
What were 3 blunders that led to Napoleon’s downfall?
How was Russia able to defeat Napoleon? What was the goal of the Congress of
Vienna?