Napoleon Bonaparte

Goal-Expand French Empire

Bonaparte’s BiographyBonaparte’s Biography

DOB: 15th August 1769

Place of Birth: Corsica

Siblings: Seven

Education: Brienne military academy (France)

Social Status: Parents were minor nobles.

Position in army: Artillery officer aged 16.

Military CareerMilitary Career

1785 - Made an Artillery Officer at 161793 - Promoted to brigadier general.1794 - Imprisoned and accused of being a Jacobin and Robespierre

supporter.1795 - Napoleon is promoted to General of the Army of the West 1796 - Barras helps Napoleon win promotion to Commander of the Army of

the Interior 1786 - Napoleon is given command of the French army in Italy

- Napoleon wins the Battle of Lodi - Napoleon wins the Battle of Arcole

1787 - Napoleon wins the Battle of Rivoli 1788 - He returns to Paris a hero.1798 - Napoleon begins his Egyptian campaign.1799 - Receiving news of turmoil in France, Napoleon returns to

Paris - Following a coup d'etat, Napoleon becomes First Consul of the new French government

1800 - Sets up a household in Tuileries Palace

Napoleon’s 1st Wife

• Joséphine Beauharnais

• Married 1796

• Unable to have children

• Divorced in 1807

Egyptian Campaign• 1797 - attempt to strike Britain indirectly

• If France could secure Egypt, it would cripple Britain’s trade route to India

• Disaster strikes

• 1799 - defeated, but did bring home the Rosetta Stone

Europe in 1800Europe in 1800

Coup d’Etat• Napoleon Rises to Power:

• 1799 - overthrew Directorset up Consulate and became First Consul

• 1802 - “Consul for Life”-via plebiscite

• 1804 - Emperor of France-via plebiscite

Becoming Emperor

Bank of France• Set up National Banking system and tax

reform in 1800

• Balanced the governments budget

Concordat of 1801• Negotiated peace with the Catholic Church

• Napoléon recognized Catholicism as the national religion & in turn, pope allowed state to keep property seized during revolution

• Reestablished the Gregorian Calendar

Napoleon and the USA and Haiti

• Sold USA- Louisiana Territory in 1803

• Sought to suppress slave revolt in Haiti—unsuccessful and Haiti gains independence (Free from French control) 1804

Code Napoléon (1804)• Preserved many revolutionary principles

– Equality of all citizens before the law• *Civil Code was a step back for women

– More difficult to: divorce husbands and inherit property – Not allowed to testify in court– Women = officially “less equal than men”

• Right of the individual to choose a profession

Code Napoléon (1804)• Religious tolerationbut made Catholicism official

religion of France• Abolition of serfdom/feudal system• Freedom of Speech and Press were granted to all….but

government could censor (stop) any material that criticized Napoleon.

• Ended the exclusive use of Nobles for high ranking government jobs. Positions were open for all based on your ability.

• Restored Slavery to French Colonies.• Created a National Education system thatwas open to all

based on their ability.

Napoleon’s Reforms

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Review Questions

Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)• Series of major conflicts pitting the French

Empire vs. an array of European powers that were formed into various coalitions.

• Napoleon expands his empire and annexes the Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Italy and Germany (abolishes the Holy Roman Empire and sets up the Confederation of the Rhine)

•  Placed relatives in power throughout Europe

Napoleon Reaches his Peak-Empire in 1810

Napoleon Reaches his Peak-Empire in 1810

…And Then Things Fall Apart!

Three Costly Mistakes:

1. The Continental System

2. The Peninsular War

3. The Invasion of Russia

Napoléon’s Major Military Campaigns

Napoléon’s Major Military Campaigns

Trafalgar (Lord Nelson: Fr. Navy lost!)

BritainFrance 1805:Sea

PowerSea

Power

Continental System - November 1806

• A blockade designed to cut England off from Europe– Napoleon’s navy lost at Trafalgar, so direct

naval conflict out of question– To destroy British trade, undermine it

economically– To exclude it from Europe’s affairs

Problems with Continental System

1. Was not executed correctly - weakened British trade, did not destroy it

2. British retaliated, made own blockade, and stopped all neutral ships going to Europe

*Including American ships, causing War of 1812*

3. Weakened economy of France and lands controlled by Napoleon

The Peninsular War - 1808

• Portugal ignored Continental System• Napoleon sent army through Spain to overthrow

Royal Family• Spanish towns rioted in response, so Napoleon

deposed Spanish king and made brother king of Spain and Portugal

• REALLY made Spanish mad– Engaged in 5 years of guerrilla warfare-

which cost Napoleon 300,000 troops

Invasion of Russia - 1812

Invading Russia = Losing Prospect!

• Napoleon and Czar of Russia were allies– Napoleon thought that czar was selling grain to

Britain behind his back– N. feared that Czar wanted Poland from France– N. decided to invade Russia

Napoléon Invades Russia: 1812

Napoléon Invades Russia: 1812

Invasion of Russia, cont’d.

• June, 1812: Grand Army leaves for Russia with about 600,000 men• All drafted from throughout Europe and not loyal to Napoleon

• Instead of engaging: Russia practices Scorched Earth Policy-destroy everything to keep from French

• Sept. 14, 1812: Entered Moscow• Czar ordered it burned down• N. lingered for 5 weeks, waiting for peace offer - none came

Moscow on Fire!Moscow on Fire!

Invasion of Russia, cont’d.

• Oct./Nov. 1812 - Ordered retreat from Moscow– Snows began to fall– Barefoot, starving soldiers attacked by Russians– Temperature: on one day, -30º: Birds fell

dead from sky

• Mid-December 1812: Approximately 10,000 soldiers left Russia

Napoleon Abdicates• Oct. 1813 –Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia

defeat Napoleon in Battle of Nations at Leipzig • Jan. 1814 - Austrians and Russians enter Paris• April 1814 - Napoleon Abdicates• Napoleon banished to Elba• New French king: Louis XVIII installed as ruler

One More Time for Old Time’s Sake

• New French king unpopular

• Mar. 1815 - escaped Elba and landed in France

• Within days, become Emperor again and Louis XVIII flees

Waterloo - The Final Showdown Napoleon’s 100 days

• Fought between Napoleon and British• June 15, 1815: French attacked• “The best defense is a good offense”…or

maybe not• June 17, 1815: French lost• Died 6 years later (stomach cancer)

Napoléon on His

Way to HisFinal Exile

onSt. Helena

Napoléon on His

Way to HisFinal Exile

onSt. Helena

Review Questions