ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:1.WHAT COURSE DID NAPOLEON’S CAREER TAKE BETWEEN 1799

AND 1804? WHAT POWERS DID HE HOLD?2.WHAT EFFECT DID NAPOLEON HAVE ON THE REST OF EUROPE,

AND WHAT CONFLICTS EMERGED?3.HOW WAS NAPOLEON DEFEATED?

The Napoleonic EraChapter 4: Section 5

Napoleon Bonaparte

What course did Napoleon’s career take between 1799 and 1804?

His government kept the form of a “republic”, however, the coup d’etat of 1799 made him a dictator of France

1799-1814, Napoleon influenced events in France/Europe so much that the time period is known as the Napoleonic Era or the Age of Napoleon

Why did the people accept his dictatorship?

They wanted stabilityOthers were afraid to protestNapoleon supported many ideas of the

revolutionHowever, “liberty” under Napoleon meant

strict control because he believed that the people should obey the orders given by a leader

Napoleon and the Consulate

Napoleon reorganized France and gave himself unlimited power

The executive branch, made up of three consuls, gave its name to the first five years of Napoleon’s rule – the Consulate

He took the title First Consul (Ancient Rome) Commanded army/navy Appointed/dismissed any officials Proposed new laws

Consulate = Real Power???

Not exactly, the legislative bodies had no real power; they simply passed all of Napoleon’s decrees!

Napoleon submitted his new constitution to the people for a vote; procedure known as a plebiscite (yes or no vote - could not make any changes to it)

Even with these limitations, majority of French voters approved new consitution!

What is Napoleon BEST remembered for?

Napoleon’s work in government had more importance than his military victories

French law system was reorganized and called the Napoleonic Code

Napoleon did all of the following… Established the Bank of France Established a public education system Mended relationship with Roman Catholic Church

and French gov. With skillful diplomacy, Napoleon destroyed the

Second Coalition and signed a peace treaty with Great Britain.

Napoleon as Emperor

Napoleon’s supporters wanted to increase his power (make it permanent/hereditary)

In another plebiscite, people voted to declare France an empire in 1804

He became Emperor Napoleon IPope came to Paris to crown new emperorNapoleon seized crown from the Pope to

show that he gave himself total power and authority and NO ONE ELSE!

Throughout Europe, nations wanted to destroy his empire

Third Coalition

Great Britain became Napoleon’s most determined adversary, feared his empire would threaten their… Commerce, Empire, and Control of the seas!

Third Coalition was formed to defeat Napoleon in 1805

Austria, Russia, and Sweden allied themselves with Great Britain (Spain allied with France)

British naval fleet defeated a combined French/Spanish fleet in 1805

Napoleon was more successful with land battles in Austria and Russia

The Continental System

Napoleon ordered a blockade of the British and forbade anyone from French Empire to trade with the British

Called the Continental System… because Napoleon controlled so much of the continent of Europe

British responded with their own blockade; ordered ships of neutral countries to stop at British ports to get license before trading with France or its allies

Both blockades affected the United States; British ships did most damage to American trade (conflict helped bring about War of 1812 with British)

December 1805, Napoleon smashed combined forces of Russia and Austria at Austerlitz…soon Coalition collapsed

The Reorganization of Europe

By 1808, Napoleon completely dominated Europe Forced Austria and Prussia to sign humiliating peace

treaties Organized German states into the Confederation of

the Rhine Abolished the Holy Roman Empire in 1806 Organized Italian States Placed members of his family on the thrones of the

countries he had conquered!

Nationalism and Napoleon

Wherever the French army went, they put the Napoleonic Code into effect

Without intending to, the French also helped awaken in the people they conquered a spirit of nationalism (or love of one’s country rather than of one’s native region)

This led to the people wanting to rid themselves of French rule

Now Napoleon’s enemies grew stronger and they will reassemble!

The Peninsula War

1807 Portugal refused to observe the Continental System; needed trade with Great Britain

French army occupied Portugal in retaliation and drove king into exile

Napoleon then decided to conquer SpainForced Spanish king to abdicate and put his

brother (Joseph) in chargeSpanish rose up with the help of the British1814, the Spanish drove out the French (including

Joseph)The Peninsula War drained French military

resources