NAPOLEON FORGES AN EMPIRE

Section 4

Napoleon Forges and Empire In four years Napoleon rose from an unknown army

officer to the ruler of France 1796 the Directory appoints him to lead the French army

against the Austrians and the Kingdom of Sardinia Napoleon defeats them in Italy and is seen as a national

hero Napoleon is sent to Egypt to disrupt British trade He is unable to repeat his success, but he manages to

keep his defeat out of the newspapers in France, he returns to France as a national hero

Napoleon Forges an Empire 1799 the Directory had lost control and confidence of the French people Napoleon forces the National Legislature to dissolve the Directory and change the

government He had the army behind his attempt to take power Government was a group of three consuls Napoleon was the first consul and he assumed the power of a dictator At the time of Napoleons takeover France was still at war Britain, Russia and Austria wanted to remove Napoleon from power Napoleon used war and diplomacy to sign peace agreements with all three

countries 1802 Europe was at peace for the first time in 10 years

Napoleon Forges an Empire Napoleon kept many of the changes from the Revolution Wanted to bring order and stability to France Economy- set up an efficient method of tax collection,

established a national banking system◦ Dismissed corrupt government officials and trained new

officials in government run schools called lycees◦ Graduates were appointed to public office based on merit

Religion- Napoleon wanted to restore position of Catholic Church in France◦ Signed a Concordant (agreement) that gained the support of

the church and many French people Laws- Napoleon developed a system of uniform laws

known as the Napoleonic Code◦ It limited liberty, and promoted order and authority over

individual rights◦ Freedom of speech and the press was restricted

Napoleon Forges an Empire

1804 Napoleon has himself crowned emperor of France

Napoleon wanted to control the rest of Europe and reassert French power in the Americas

1801 A slave revolt on the island of Saint Domingue resulted in loss of French control

Napoleon tried to retake control and failed Decided to cut losses in the Americas and

sold the Louisiana Territory to the US for $15 million dollars (Louisiana Purchase)◦ Gave Napoleon money to Finance his wars in

Europe◦ Also allowed him to keep the British from taking

control of the territory

Napoleon Forges an Empire

Napoleon turned his attention to Europe He had already annexed parts of Austria

and Italy Britain, Russia, Sweden declared war

against France and Napoleon Napoleon defeated them (except

Britain) and forced them to sign peace treaties

Used rapid movement, surprise and the size of his army to defeat his enemies

He built the largest empire in Europe since the Roman Empire

France’s only major enemy left was England

England had the world’s most powerful navy and France had the world most powerful army

Napoleon Forges an Empire

Napoleon lost only one major battle 1805 Battle of Trafalgar he was

defeated by the British navy◦ French navy was destroyed◦ Ensured the supremacy of the British

navy for next 100 years◦ Forced Napoleon to give up plans to

invade Britain Napoleons victories across Europe

gave him control over most of Europe Put friends and relatives in charge of

defeated countries Areas he did not control he controlled

through alliances and threats of military action

Lasted for only 5 years (1807-1812)