Bellringer Download today’s notes: Fall of Napoleon Open yesterday’s notes (Rise of Napoleon) and answer the “Connect!” questions. If you have already answered them, please wait while we get ready to go over the answers.

Big Idea As Napoleon built his empire across Europe, he also spread the revolutionary idea of nationalism.  Napoleon overthrew the Directory, set up a new government, and eventually took complete power.  Napoleon brought stability to France and established a single law code that recognized the equality of all citizens.  Napoleon spread nationalists ideas as he conquered Europe. Inspired by those ideas, conquered peoples resisted Napoleon and helped bring about the collapse of his empire.  After major losses in Russia and Austria, Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo.

Napoleon’s Empire Napoleon is known as a great military leader.  When he came to power in 1799, France was at war with a European coalition of Russia, Great Britain, and Austria. In 1802 he signed a peace treaty, but war broke out again in 1803 with Britain  Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Prussia joined Britain  In a series of battles, Napoleon’s army defeated the European coalition. From 1807 to 1812, Napoleon became the master of Europe, establishing a Grand Empire  Included the French Empire, dependent states, and allied states The states he defeated included Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Sweden.  Forced to join his struggle against Britain

Spreading the Principles of the Revolution Napoleon tried to spread principles of the revolution through his empire.  Legal equality, religious toleration, offices open to those with ability He tried to destroy the old order in the areas he conquered by eliminating the nobility and clergy’s influence. However, his empire collapsed as rapidly as it was formed for two major reasons: British resistance and the rise of nationalism

British Resistance Napoleon was unable to conquer Great Britain because of its sea power. To defeat Britain, Napoleon hoped to use his Continental System, where he would stop British goods from reaching the continent, weakening them economically until he could defeat them. The Continental System failed.  Allied states resented being told what to do and smuggled with Britain.  New markets in America and the Middle East also gave the British a new market and kept them economically strong.

Rise of Nationalism Nationalism is the sense of unique identity of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols. Conquered peoples became united in their hatred of invaders. It also caused the French people to feel a sense of pride in their nation; a sense that the conquered nations felt and hoped to eventually gain themselves.

The Fall of Napoleon The Russians broke apart from the Continental System in 1812, so Napoleon had no choice but to invade. He invaded with a Grand Army of more than 600,000 men, hoping to crush the Russians before winter came. The Russians refused to fight, instead retreating and hoping to draw the French deep into Russia.  As the Russians retreated, they burned their own villages and countryside so that Napoleon and his army would be left with no food. When he finally reached Moscow, Napoleon found the city in flames and with no food and supplies, he had to retreat before winter came…his withdrawal is known as the “Great Retreat” Thousands of soldiers starved during the Great Retreat and fewer than 40,000 of the original 600,000 survived and returned to Poland in January 1813

The Great Retreat

The Fall of Napoleon His disaster in Russia emboldened the other nations of Europe to attack and Napoleon’s army was beaten, losing Paris in March Napoleon was sentenced to exile on the island of Elba, near Italy, and the French monarchy was restored under Louis XVIII, Louis XVI’s brother.

Final Defeat The new king had little support and the French weren’t ready to surrender the glory of Napoleon’s Empire.  Napoleon soon became restless and escaped Elba. He made his way back to France and the new king sent an army to capture him.  Napoleon said to them, “I am your emperor... If there is a man among you who would kill his Emperor, here I am!”  No one fired; instead they shouted “Long live the Emperor!” Napoleon returned to France and tried to quickly re- build the army. He was defeated on June 18, 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo by a combined British and Russian force led by the Duke of Wellington and he was exiled to St. Helena, a small island in the South Atlantic.

Napoleon on St. Helena

Connect! 1. What were two main reasons for the collapse of Napoleon’s Empire? 2. How did Napoleon think the Continental System would help defeat Britain? 3. How do you think the conquered nations reacted to Napoleon’s attempts to make them part of the French nation? 4. Why did Napoleon invade Russia? 5. Why do you think Napoleon was exiled twice rather than being executed?