Napoleon Bonaparte

I. Napoleon Bonaparte

A. Born 1769 in Corsica B. Military school in

France

C. Joined the French Revolution1. 1795, hero:

defended National Convention from royalists

2. 1796: Directory makes Napoleon head of army a. Victory: war hero b. Egypt: defeated

by British – returns to Paris as hero before news gets thereRosetta Stone

II. Napoleon takes control

A. Nov. 1799: Coup d’etat (sudden seizing of power, usually by the military to overthrow the government)1. Paris and the Directory in chaos 2. Napoleon’s troops take control of Assembly 3. Forces Assembly to dissolve Directory

a. Replaced by 3 “Consuls”

4. Napoleon takes control as “First Consul”

From 3 to 1

B. 1800: Plebiscite (vote of people) approves new constitution

1. All power given to Napoleon

C. Napoleon restores order, makes reforms

1. Finances: fair tax system

2. Education Reform: lycees public schools for all

3. Concordat: compromise with Church a. Separate church and

state

4. Napoleonic Code – system of laws a. Promoted order,

restricted liberties

1804: crowns himself Emperor

1. Moves to expand his empire a. 1803: Sells “Louisiana” to US for $15 millionb. 1804: attacks European enemies c. 1805: British navy defeats French

1) Ends plan to invade Britain

d. 1812: controls much of Europe

Napoleon crowns himself Emperor

At the moment of the crowning when the Pope said, "Receive the imperial crown..." Napoleon unexpectedly turned and, forestalling the Pope, removed his laurel wreath and crowned himself and then crowned the kneeling Joséphine with a small crown surmounted by a cross, which he had first placed on his own head.