Napoleon

1. Napoleon In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms: Napoleon Bonaparte Invasion of Russia Waterloo Napoleon’s Impact

2. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) came from a family of lower nobility but was sympathetic to the ideals of the French Revolution.

3. Napoleon • Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica, which was owned by France • Went to school in mainland France • Joined the military in 1785 after graduating from the Military Academy • In the early stages of the French Revolution, Napoleon was mostly in battle with the military or on leave in Corsica • Became acquainted with French Revolutionists, the Jacobins

4. Power • Napoleon came to power at the end of the Revolution, when France was still at war with Austria and Prussia • Helped the Robespierre brothers put down an anti-revolutionary movement and was promoted to general • Napoleon was a gifted general. Under his command, French armies defeated Austria and Prussia and gained territory for France • In 1797, France and Austria signed the Treaty of Campo Formio ending their war

6. Military Expansion • The French “Directory” approved for Napoleon to lead an attack on England • One of the only European nations Napoleon had not conquered • Napoleon felt his navy could not overtake Britain’s navy, one of the best in the world • Instead he attacked Egypt, in order to cut off British trade routes with India • British naval forced attacked in the Mediterranean stranding Napoleon’s Army

7. Return to France • Political situation in France had worsened • Napoleon abandoned his own army and returned to France in order to orchestrate a move into politics • In 1799, an event known as the Coup of 18 Brumaire, Napoleon successfully overthrew the French Directory

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9. First Consulate • In 1800 the French Directory was replaced with a 3 man consulate • Napoleon was named as First Consulate, making him the leading political AND military figure in France • In 1802 Napoleon won a battle with Austria, driving them out of Italy • Also signed a peace treaty with Britain

10. Reform • Napoleon attempted to reform politics in France • Centralized the government • Reformed banking and education policies • Supported sciences and art • Attempted to improve relationship with the Pope • Napoleonic Code for the French legal system • In 1802 Napoleon was made First Consulate for life • In 1804 Napoleon crowned himself emperor of France

11. Napoleon Bonaparte tried to combine the social reforms of the French Revolution with his own absolute power.

12. Napoleonic Wars • From 1803 to 1815 Napoleon was the Emperor of France • He engaged in a number of military conflicts around Europe called the Napoleonic Wars • In order to fund wars, Napoleon sold Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15 million • Series of battles and victories for Napoleon • Against Austria, Prussia, and Russia • Lost again Britain, then won vs. Britain

13. Napoleon’s Fall • Napoleon’s ambition united Europe against him • In 1810 Russia withdrew from France’s continental system • In 1812, Napoleon invaded Russia with an army of half a million men • Russians never fully went head to head with French troops but retreated every time there was a battle • Led Napoleon to continue to travel deeper in Russia • The Russians burned their own crops and buildings as they retreated, depriving the invaders of food and shelter.

14. By the time Napoleon reached Moscow, he found the city in ruins, set on fire by the Russians.

15. In bitter winter weather, Napoleon’s army retreated. Less than one in ten men survived the homeward march.

16. Abdication • At the same time Napoleon was marching out of Russia, France lost battles vs. a united European force of Spain, Portugal, Britain, Austria, and Prussia • Europe had united against Napoleon • In 1814 a united European coalition took control of Paris • Napoleon was force to abdicate his throne and was exiled to a prison on the island of Elba

18. Escape • In 1815 after less than a year in exile, Napoleon escaped Elba • Sailed to mainland France with over 1,000 supporters from the island • Returned to Paris, welcomed by cheering crowds of people • The king of France, Louis XVII, fled France and Napoleon successfully took over France again • Began what is called the Hundred Days Campaign

19. Hundred Days Campaign • Napoleon’s enemies, basically all of Europe, began to organized an army and prepare for war • Napoleon’s plan was to preemptively attack before they were prepared • Attacks British and Prussian troops in Belgium • Napoleon and French troops were destroyed at the Battle of Waterloo in June of 1815 • Napoleon is again exiled from France and forced to give up control

20. Napoleon tried to recapture the French throne in 1815. However, he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. E. Napp

21. Exile • Napoleon exiled to the British island of St. Helena • Died at the age of 51 • Probably of stomach cancer • Buried on the island despite requesting to be returned to France

22. Although Napoleon had ruled France for only fifteen years, he had an enormous impact on France and the rest of the world. E. Napp

23. Napoleon’s Impact • The Code of Napoleon, a law code, favored social equality, religious tolerance, and trial by jury. • Napoleon introduced the ideas of the French Revolution to the lands he seized. • French rule encouraged nationalism. Spain lost its Latin American empire.

24. Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803. He also weakened Spain. E. Napp

25. Questions for Reflection: • Who was Napoleon Bonaparte and how did he rise to power? • What were the achievements of Napoleon Bonaparte? • Why did his invasion of Russia fail? • What was the Battle of Waterloo and what was its significance? • How did Napoleon’s political career alter world history? E. Napp