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Big Idea

As Napoleon built his empire across Europe, he also spread the revolutionary idea of nationalism. Napoleon overthrew the Directory, set up a new

government, and eventually took complete power. Napoleon brought stability to France and established

a single law code that recognized the equality of all citizens.

Napoleon spread nationalists ideas as he conquered Europe. Inspired by those ideas, conquered peoples resisted Napoleon and helped bring about the collapse of his empire.

After major losses in Russia and Austria, Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo.

The Fall of Napoleon

The Russians broke apart from the Continental System in 1812, so Napoleon had no choice but to invade.

He invaded with a Grand Army of more than 600,000 men, hoping to crush the Russians before winter came.

The Russians refused to fight, instead retreating and hoping to draw the French deep into Russia. As the Russians retreated, they burned their own villages and

countryside so that Napoleon and his army would be left with no food.When he finally reached Moscow, Napoleon found the city

in flames and with no food and supplies, he had to retreat as the winter began…his withdrawal is known as the “Great Retreat”

Thousands of soldiers starved during the Great Retreat and fewer than 40,000 of the original 600,000 survived and returned to Poland in January 1813

The Great Retreat

The Fall of Napoleon

His disaster in Russia emboldened the other nations of Europe to attack and Napoleon’s army was beaten, losing Paris in March 1814.

Napoleon was sentenced to exile on the island of Elba, near Italy, and the French monarchy was restored under Louis XVIII, Louis XVI’s brother.

Final Defeat

The new king had little support and the French weren’t ready to surrender the glory of Napoleon’s Empire. Napoleon soon became restless and escaped Elba.

He made his way back to France and the new king sent an army to capture him. Napoleon said to them, “I am your emperor... If there is a man

among you who would kill his Emperor, here I am!” No one fired; instead they shouted “Long live the Emperor!”

Napoleon returned to France and tried to quickly re-build the army.

He was defeated on June 18, 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo by a combined British and Russian force led by the Duke of Wellington and he was exiled to St. Helena, a small island in the South Atlantic.

Napoleon on St. Helena

Connect!

1. Why did Napoleon invade Russia?2. Why do you think Napoleon was exiled

twice rather than being executed? 3. List all of the reasons you can think of for

Napoleon’s fall.

Homework!

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