NAPOLEON BONAPARTENAPOLEON BONAPARTECh. 11 Section 3Ch. 11 Section 3

Napoleon is as important to the French as George Washington is to Americans– He is seen as the savior of France– He ruled France from 1799-1815

He names himself Emperor – He puts in place Enlightenment ideas and

makes the country more democratic

Rise to PowerRise to PowerBorn in Corsica in 1769Received a royal scholarship to study in a military

school in FranceHe rose quickly in the ranks of the French army

– He won the support of his men w/ his energy, charm, ability to make decisions, keen intelligence, ease w/ words, and supreme confidence in himself

1799 – he took control of France at 30 years old– He was first consul and had total control of the govt.– 1802 he was named consul for life– 1804 he named himself Emperor Napoleon I

Making Religious PeaceMaking Religious PeaceNapoleon was not a religious man, but he

claimed to be Catholic while in France– A large majority of the population was Catholic

1801 – an agreement b/w the Napoleon and the Pope– Napoleon recognized Catholicism as the majority

religion in France– In return, the pope agreed not to ask for the return of

the church lands seized in the revolution The Catholic Church was no longer an enemy of the

French govt.

Codification of the LawsCodification of the LawsHis most famous domestic achievement

– This was a single law code for the entire nationThe most important code was the Civil

Code (also called the Napoleonic Code)– This code recognized…

The equality of all citizens b/f the law Gave jobs based on skill, not class Religious toleration Abolition of serfdom and feudalism

No Equality for WomenNo Equality for WomenThe revolution made divorce easy for both men

and women and allowed daughters to inherit property– The Civil Code undid these laws

The Civil Code…– Made it more difficult for women to divorce – Women were now less equal than men– When women married lost their property to their

husbands– Women were treated as minors in lawsuits and

regarded as less reliable than a man’s testimony

Napoleon’s AccomplishmentsNapoleon’s AccomplishmentsWhat did he do for France?

– Controlled govt. spending to fix deficit– Encourage people to start business

Put money into the economy– Built schools– Built roads and canals for trade– Encouraged religious freedom– Brought peace b/w the classes– Awarded jobs based on skill, not class– Enlarged the borders of France– Was a working leader – ruler and general

Napoleon’s EmpireNapoleon’s Empire1807-1812 Napoleon was the master of EuropeHis Grand Empire had 3 parts

– French Empire – inner core of the Grand Empire Enlarged France to the Rhine River and into Italy

– Dependent States – kingdoms under the rule of Napoleon’s relatives

Spain, Holland, Italy, union of all German states except Austria and Prussia

– Allied States – defeated by Napoleon and forced to join him against Britain

Prussia, Austria, Russia, Sweden

Making the World FranceNapoleon tried to destroy the old order in

the inner core and the dependent states– He did this by…

The nobility and clergy losing their privileges Opportunities were based on skill, not class Everyone equal b/f the law Religious tolerance

Napoleon tried to make the world France by forcing them to surrender to his rule– He tried to take away their culture and make

them like the French

Napoleon’s Empire FailsThe French Empire failed for 2 reasons…

– Britain – Napoleon was never able to defeat Britain– Nationalism – unique cultural identity of a nation

based on common language, religion, and national traditions

By spreading French Revolution principles he aroused nationalism in the countries he conquered– His hatred of anything not French stirred the

patriotism of others in opposition to France– The French were an inspiration to others what

nationalism was and what a nation in arms could do

Beginning of the End1812 – Napoleon invades Russia – they were

refusing to go along w/ Napoleon’s demands any longer– Napoleon’s army of over 600,000 men entered Russia– Russians retreated into their country burning villages

as they went To keep Napoleon’s army from finding food

– W/o food and supplies Napoleon was forced to retreat in terrible winter conditions

Only 40,000 of the 600,000 made it out of Russia alive

Napoleon’s First Exile

The disaster in Russia led other European countries to rise up against Napoleon– Paris was captured in March 1814– Napoleon was sent into exile on the island of

Elba– The monarchy was restored to France with

Louis XVIII (brother of Louis XVI)

Napoleon Regains PowerNapoleon Regains Power

Louis XVIII had little support in FranceNapoleon slipped back into France to regain

control– Troops were sent to capture him– Those troops ended up fighting for him

Napoleon made it to Paris and regained control in March 1815– Napoleon then moved to attack the nearest

forces that were against him in Belgium

The Final DefeatThe Final Defeat

June 1815 – at Waterloo in Belgium– Napoleon met a combined British and Prussian

army and he suffered a bloody defeatAfter this final defeat, Napoleon was exiled

to St. Helena– A small island near Africa in the South Atlantic– Napoleon never returned to France– He died 6 years later on St. Helena

Images of NapoleonImages of Napoleon

Napoleon in his early days of power (note: hand in coat & modest clothing)

Napoleon at the height of power (note: robes & symbols of power)

Quotes of NapoleonQuotes of Napoleon1. A man will fight harder for his interests

than for his rights.2. Even when I am gone, I shall remain in

the people’s minds as the star of their rights; my name will be the war cry of their efforts, the motto of their hopes.

3. Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.

4. I know when it is necessary to leave the skin of a lion and take one of the fox.

5. If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything & deliver nothing.