THE RISE OF….NAPOLEON!

Lesson 3.6

Knight’s Charge

Who filled the “power vacuum” that was created after Louis XVI was executed?

What happened during the “Reign of Terror?”

Why did Robespierre have so many people killed?

How were people executed? Why? If Mr. Sliwa were any television show

character, who would he be?

Weird Disney Fact of the Day!

French Turmoil

By the late 1790’s, people were begging for some sort of stability in France

The “Directory” was not providing stability

The one force that was able to take “charge” of the nation was…

The Army!!!

Rise of Napoleon Napoleon was a political leader in the army The army embodied the popular values of the nation Born in 1769 – Napoleon received a large scholarship to the

military academy He quickly became a lieutenant in the army He inspired and motivated troops Was one of the first to study famous military campaigns and the

use of technology The French revolution gave him the opportunity to use his

knowledge and talents

Military Successes Napoleon led successful campaigns against

France’s enemies – Particularly Italy Some of his tactics:

Speed: Use of a cavalry to outflank the opponent

Surprise: To gain a territorial advantageDecisive Action: Aa centralized chain of

commandQuick Artillery Strikes: to injure the enemy

before an attackUsed “overwhelming force” to disperse the

enemy lines

Rise of Napoleon He returns to Paris a hero! His only remaining enemy: England! But, Napoleon is ….Smart. He decides to attack England’s colonies in Egypt

instead!

Napoleon Grabs Power

When he returns to France, he uses the army to overthrow the directory and establish a consulate.

Consulate = A 3 person executive branch

The consulate had democratic principles…but, Napoleon seized power for himself and named himself “First Consul.”

Napoleon as Emperor

Has a BIG EGO! Re-Writes the French Constitution to

include his title as “Emperor of the French.”

Invites Pope to Coronation – But, places crown on his own head!

Extends Napoleonic Code (set of laws) around Europe

Napoleonic Code 1. Safeguards all forms of property 2. Employment to be based on

talent, not birth 3. Merit- Based Pay 4. Workers organizations are

forbidden 5. Men are granted FULL control of

their families 6. Divorce was made difficult, if not

impossible, for women

Napoleon’s Empire

Napoleon could put as many as 700,000 men in the military at one time.

Nobody could match his army

He could not wipe out England because they had a better Navy

So…He adopted the Continental System to cripple their trade

The Continental System

France forbids any of the conquered nations to trade with the British.

He hoped to create a revolution in England and drive them to war

The system was a COMPLETE FAILURE

The British economy survived by trading with…

North and South America.

The Fall of Napoleon Russia did not like him 1810 – Russia withdraws from the Continental

System and prepares for war

Napoleon’s Biggest Mistake: Napoleon creates an army of 600,000 men to

fight Russia. Russia practiced a “scorched earth” policy.

They destroyed all food, supplies, and land as they retreated from an area.

Napoleon’s army could not live off of the land It was bitterly cold…so, Napoleon abandons his

own army and retreats.

…Sad Napoleon… Weakened, Napoleon is captured and exiled

to Elba. The Hundred Days – Napoleon escapes,

takes control of France again, and is finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo…and exiled again…

Napoleon is now Sad…