NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Chapter 4 Review

EARLY YEARS

Born 15 August 1769 into a wealthy family

Educated in a military school

Rapidly promoted; commander of French army in Italy at 27

yrs.• Promised Italian freedom from Austria• Won battles to drive out Austrians; did NOT do as promised• Funded army with art/jewelry stolen from Italy

Conquered Egypt in 1798 to cut off British trade routes with

India• Successfully conquered Egypt; not successful cutting off Britain

MAKING FRANCE STRONG

1799 – helped to overthrow the French government (“Directory”)• Liberate other European countries, but own government = corrupt

Ordered reorganization of laws into “Napoleonic Code”• Laws reflect values• Equality, right to hold property, freedom of religion• Women LOST their rights

Infrastructure -> employment, efficient transport of army

Filled museums with (stolen) art

Economy only seemed strong ($ stolen from other countries)• France behind in industrial revolution

NAPOLEON THE EMPEROR

Became a tyrant, but understood importance of

public perception

Censorship:• Controlled media/law/education system to promote

HIS values

Social values

NAPOLEON AND EUROPE

1800s, trying to expand empire, waged war with most of Europe

Britain = France’s greatest enemy• Stop trade with Europe -> punishment to ports allowing Brit ships• Britain barred US from trading with French Empire

Military victory = power• “I wanted to rule the world, and in order to do this I needed unlimited

power… I wanted to rule the world – who wouldn’t have in my place? The world begged me to govern it…”

Napoleon’s family become monarchs of surrounding countries• French Revolution reaches Europeans

• Serfdom abolished; no inherited privileges for aristocrats; religious tolerance

THE RISE OF NATIONALISM

Nationalism – a sense of pride in one’s country• Danger?

Middle Ages – identification with church/social

class

Spain rebels placement of Napoleon’s brother as

King• Guerilla warfare – 5 years – loss of many soldiers

War declared on Russia (they resumed trade with

Britain)• Unsuccessful -> Napoleon’s decline

ABDICATION AND EXILE

Defeat in Russia damaged French empire

Lost battle of Leipzig• Gave up throne -> exiled to Elba

Louis XVIII comes to power• Wanted to reinstate Divine Right of Kings• Napoleon returns and rebuilds army

The Battle of Waterloo

QUIZ TOMORROW!

In paragraph form, and with reference to what you

have learned in chapter 4, answer the question

below:• What is Napoleon Bonaparte’s legacy? Was he a

selfish and power hungry dictator, or did he bring positive changes to Europe/the World?