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The Rise of
Napoleon
Background
• Sent to military school at age 10
• Started in the artillery as a 16 year old lieutenant
• When the revolution broke out he joined the New Republic's Army
His Accomplishments
• His legen began in 1795 when he put down a Royalist threat
• 1796 the Directory appointed Napoleon General of the French Army against Austria and Sardinia
• He soon swept into Italy and won a series of victories
• Soon he became the most famous general in France.
Napoleon’s Coup
• Directory quickly loses faith of the people• In 1799, Napoleon takes control of France by force and assumed a
dictatorship• He became emperor by using the plebiscites-election where you
vote yes or no• He won with overwhelming support. France wanted a strong central
leader• Through a series of victories, Napoleon controls almost all of
Europe
Reasons for His Success
• It is a citizens army
• Excellent mobility (good cavalry, strike-retreat)
• They live off the land
• They look good, very intimidating.
His Domination of Europe
• By 1810, Napoleon’s empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to Russia
• As he marched across Europe, he eliminated serfdom, introduced religious tolerance, and spread the ideals of liberty and equality. (Influenced by…?)
• Napoleon thought that he was invincible
• At this time he set up universal laws known as the Napoleonic Code
His First Mistake
• He cut off all trade between Britain and the rest of Europe
• Napoleon thought that this would cripple Britain.• The plan backfired when British formed a
blockade to stop all French imports• This hurt France and angered Napoleon’s allies
His Second Mistake
• Napoleon misjudged the power of nationalism
• Nationalism fueled insurrection in Germany and Spain
• Napoleon lost over 300,000 men to Spanish and German guerrillas.
His Third Mistake • Napoleon invaded
Russia because the Czar refused to stop selling grain to Britain
• He expect his larger army to defeat Russia inferior army.
• The Russians retreated towards Moscow and burned everything as they went (Scorched-earth policy).
His Third Mistake Continued
• The worst winter in 100 years hit Russia• The Russian’s completely burned Moscow.• Napoleon lost over 400,000 men in his retreat.
An Injured Napoleon
• Sensing that Napoleon had been fatally weakened, Britain formed a Grand Alliance against France.
• Goal: Take back land Napoleon conquered
• Within a year the allies had defeated France and exiled Napoleon.
The End of His Reign• In 1815, he escaped
from Elba and returned to France for 100 days
• A wave of enthusiasm swept through France upon his return
• Thousands again joined Napoleon’s army
• When British and Prussian armies rushed towards France, Napoleon met them at Waterloo.
Waterloo• After a long battle,
Napoleon’s troops retreated
• This ended Napoleon’s last bid for power
• The British exiled Napoleon to the island of Helena and he died 6 years later
Congress of Vienna
• Goals– Restore balance of power– Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible– Compensation
• France was deprived of all territory conquered by Napoleon.
• Coalition forces would occupy France for 3-5 years
• France would pay indemnity of 700,000,000 francs.