The Age of NapoleonChapter 18.3
Essential Question
Discuss how and why nationalism spread as a result of the French Revolution.
The Rise of Napoleon
1799 – 1815 “I am the
revolution.” Brings the French
Revolution to an end
Yet at same time, product of the revolution
History of Napoleon
Educated in French military schools Commissioned as a lieutenant in the
French army in 1785 In 1792, becomes a captain In 1794, becomes brigadier general
by the Committee of Public Safety Napoleon wins several campaigns for
France throughout Italy
Napoleon Wins confidence of his
men with energy, charm, and ability to make quick decisions
Keen intelligence, ease with words, enabled him to influence people and win their support
1797 – returns to France as a conquering hero
Coup d’ etat
(KOO day-TAH) – sudden overthrow of the government is led by a successful and popular general Napoleon Bonaparte
Directory is toppled and Napoleon seizes power
New government – the consulate – was proclaimed
Napoleon becomes first consul – controls entire government
Consul and Emperor 1802, Napoleon becomes consul for life 1804, crowns himself Emperor Napoleon I
Napoleon’s Domestic Policies Republican liberty was destroyed by
Napoleon’s takeover of power Napoleon sought to make peace with
the Catholic Church by restoring church to bring stability
1801 – made agreement with Pope to recognize Catholicism as religion of majority
Pope, in return, did not ask for lands back that the government had earlier taken
Napoleonic Code 7 codes of Law Most important code called the Civil Code
or Napoleonic Code Recognized the equality of all citizens
before the law The right of an individual to choose a profession Religious toleration Abolition of serfdom and feudalism Undid rights to divorce easily Undid rights of daughters to inherit property
A New Bureaucracy
Napoleon developed a powerful, centralized administrative machine
Promotion was based on ability, not rank or nobility as before
A new aristocracy was based on merit in the state service – not bloodline
Shut down 60 of 73 newspapers
Napoleon’s Empire
From 1807 – 1812, Napoleon was master of most of Europe
Empire had three major parts The French Empire Dependent states (Spain, Holland, Italy,
the Swiss Republic, other German states) Allied states (those defeated by
Napoleon and forced to join his struggle against Britain. These included Prussia, Austria, Russia and Sweden.)
Napoleon’s Empire. By 1812, Napoleon directly ruled or controlled most of Europe
Britain’s Survival
As long as Great Britain had a strong navy, it was almost invulnerable to military attack
Napoleon could not stop Britain from trading with other countries
Nationalism Nationalism- the unique cultural identity of a
people based on common language, religion, and national symbols
Nationalism was another factor in the defeat of Napoleon
The defeat of countries brought on their feelings of nationalism.
Two ways: French hated as oppressors by those they defeated French mirrored nationalism and what a nation in
arms could do
The Fall of Napoleon
Russians refused to remain in the Continental System
Left Napoleon no choice but to invade Russia
June 1812 – Grand army of 600,000 men enter Russia
Russia’s army retreats for miles and miles pulling Napoleon’s army farther in to Russia
Russia’s army burns their own villages to keep Napoleon from finding food
The Fall of Napoleon, cont.Battle of Borodino – Napoleon
wins with a costly and indecisive victory
Grand Army arrives in Moscow finding city ablaze
Napoleon abandons Moscow and starts the “Great Retreat”
Terrible winter conditions Less than 40,000 arrive back in
Poland in 1813.
Napoleon Defeated
Click icon to add pictureThe Crossing of the BeresinaBy January Suchodolsky shows Napoleon’s grand army in full retreat from Russia.
Military Disaster
Other European states rise up and attack the crippled French army
Paris is captured in March 1814 Napoleon is sent to exile on the
island of Elba. Bourbon monarchy restored to
France Louis XVIII becomes King
Final Defeat
Napoleon grows bored on island King has little support Slips back into France Troops shout “Vive l’Empereur!”
(Long live the emperor!) Napoleon makes triumphal entry into
Paris on March 20, 1815. Napoleon raises army to attack
nearest forces in Belgium.
Battle of Waterloo June 18, 1815 Napoleon meets a combined British and
Prussian army under the Duke of Wellington and suffers a bloody defeat.
Napoleon gets exiled to St. Helena Island off of Africa.
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