the napoleonic era. i. napoleon bonaparte war w/brit., austria, & sardinia gave opps. for rising...
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The Napoleonic Era
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)
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
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.
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
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
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
Battle of Trafalgar (1805) Brit. destroyed Fr. & Spanish fleets Brit. no longer in danger
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Allies = Fr. will NEVER disrupt Euro again! Restored Bourbon monarchy (Louis XVIII)
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
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)