Section 3

 Napoleon Bonaparte dominated French and European history from 1799 to 1815  French revolution helped his rise in the military then to the supreme power in France- “I am the revolution”

 Education in French military school  Read works of philosophes and educated himself in military matters- studying great leaders (Revolution and European war gave him the opportunity to use his knowledge)

 Napoleon rose quickly through the ranks in the army  Used speed, deception, and surprise to gain victory  Won the confidence of his men with his energy, charm, and ability to make quick decisions (combined with his self-confidence and keen intellect made him an influential and strong leader)

 In Paris, Napoleon took part in the coup d'état that overthrew the Directory.  new government called the consulate was put into place  Theoretically a republic but Napoleon had absolute power

 At first consul, Napoleon controlled the entire government-  1. appointed members of bureaucracy  2. controlled the army  3. conducted foreign affairs  4. influenced the legislature.  Later crowned himself as Emperor Napoleon I

 Peace with the Church made an agreement with the pope- recognized Catholicism as the majority religion of France; In return, the pope agreed not to ask for return of Church lands seized during the revolution  Codification of the Laws-France had no single set of laws prior to this. Napoleonic Code created- recognized the principles of equality of citizens, rights of people protected.  Women were “less equal than men”

 New Bureaucracy-developed a powerful centralized administrative machine. Promotions were based on ability (military or civil positions); New aristocracy based on merit in state service  Preserver of the Revolution- upheld concepts of the revolution, but destroyed others such as: liberty being replaced by Despotism

 When Napoleon became consul, France was at war with European coalitions (Russia, GB, Austria)  Wanted pause in the war (set up a peace treaty in 1802 but war started again a year later)  In a series of battles- Napoleon's Grand Army defeated his enemies and could create a new European order

 Master of Europe (Grand Empire made of three parts- French Empire, dependent states, and allied states)

 Napoleon wanted to spread some of the revolution principles throughout his empire- legal equality, religious toleration, and economic freedom  Nobles and clergy had no special privilege- equality before the law

 Napoleon hoped his empire would last for centuries but due to TWO reasons it fell quickly:  1. Survival of Great Britain  2. Force of nationalism

 Survived mainly because of its sea power  Napoleon could not stop their navy so he implemented his Continental System: stop British goods from reaching the country- weaken it economically  CS failed- due to cheating and resistance

 Unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols  Hatred for the French by other nations stirred patriotism

 Disaster in Russia: Grand Army of 600,000 entered Russia to hopefully defeat the Russians quickly  Russians retreated and burned down villages to keep Napoleon’s army from getting food  Lacking food and supplies- Napoleon organized a “Great Retreat”- only 40,000 remained  Other European states rose up and crippled the remaining forces  Napoleon exiled to the island of Elba (monarchy restored)

 Even in exile Napoleon had so much influence that he amassed a new army and marched into Paris  At Waterloo in Belgium Napoleon met a combined British and Prussian army under the Duke of Wellington and was defeated