NAPOLEON

FOCUS QUESTION

Explain Napoleon’s rise to power in Europe, his subsequent defeat, and how the outcome still affects

Europe today.

Objectives • Explain how Napoleon came to power.• Describe the changes Napoleon made

in France.• Explain why the French strongly

supported Napoleon.• Analyze the events that led to

Napoleon’s downfall.

Early Life

• Born in Corsica• Attends military

school• Trained for a

military career• Eager to make a

name for himself

Hero of the Hour• In 1795, Napoleon defeats

royalist rebels attacking National Convention

• Wins stunning victories against the British in Toulon, and conquers most of Italy from the Austrians

• Back home gains popularity• Lost battles against British

in Egypt, but hid the news from the press

Coup d’Etat

• In November 1799, he carries out a coup d’etat – seizure of power – against the Directory

• Sets up a three-man governing board called the Consulate

Napoleon Reforms France

• Immediate Changes

–New constitution is approved through plebiscite - vote of the people

–Takes the title First Consul – FOR LIFE!

In 1804 Napoleon

crowns himself Emperor

Restoring Order

• Centralizes the government

• Builds roads and canals• To fix economy, sets up

national banking system, efficient tax collection

• Establishes lycées – government run public schools to train officials

• Signs concordat - agreement - with pope restoring Catholicism in France

• Creates Napoleonic Code - uniform system of laws » These laws limited liberty,

freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and reestablished slavery in the French colonies

French people are ecstatic!Napoleon gains support

among all social classes.

Napoleon Builds an Empire

1804-1812

• In 1801, he attempts to retake colony of Saint Domingue but fails

• Sells the Louisiana Territory to US for $ 15 million in 1803

• Gives up on the Americas and concentrates on Europe

Redraws the map of Europe

• France annexed the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany

• Cuts Prussian territory in half and abolished Holy Roman Empire

• Napoleon forces Russia, Austria, Sweden to sign peace treaties

• The expanding empire made the French happy

Only Britain Remains Untouched

• The British navy SMASHED the French fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, ending Napoleon’s plans to invade Britain.

• Napoleon then imposed the Continental System to close European ports to British goods.

• The blockades created some hardships but Britain was able to maintain its trade routes in India and the Americas.

The French Empire

• Napoleon controls Europe except for Britain, Portugal, Sweden, Ottomans

• Has puppet rulers in some countries, alliances with others

• French Empire reaches largest extent from 1807 to 1812

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