Part 3 – Napoleon Bonaparte The French revolution Part 3 – Napoleon Bonaparte

“I Am the Revolution” – Napoleon Bonaparte THE RISE OF NAPOLEON “I Am the Revolution” – Napoleon Bonaparte

Rise Through the Ranks Napoleon was born in Corsica – NOT French Was educated in French military schools and moved up quickly through the ranks Not well-liked by his peers: little money, Italian accent…and was short Educated himself Read works by philosophers Embodied the Enlightenment Read military works and studied military campaigns…which came in handy when France starts going to war(s)

Rise Through the Ranks…Continued By 24, he was promoted to Brigadier General by the Committee of Public Safety By 28, he was made commander of the French armies in Italy Won the confidence of his men due to his charm, energy, decisive (quick) decision making-skills and his speed and deception in winning a series of victories ALSO…keenly intelligent, egotistical (highly confident in himself)

Rise Through the Ranks…Continued Comes back to Paris as a hero Because he’s doing so great, he’s given command of an army that’s set to invade Britain Problem – France isn’t ready to invade Solution – Napoleon proposes hitting Britain where it hurts more: threaten India Problem- Britain controls the seas and had cut off Napoleon’s army in Egypt Solution – Napoleon leaves his army, heads back to Paris Napoleon’s coup d’état (seizing of power) overthrew the Directory to establish his consulate (a new government)

NAPOLEON’S DOMESTIC POLICIES

Emperor Napoleon 1 France is a republic – theoretically Napoleon has absolute power – reality Controls the army Conducts foreign affairs Influence the legislation 1802 – Napoleon was made consul FOR LIFE 1804 – Crowns himself Emperor Napoleon I

Emperor Napoleon 1…Continued First things first, make peace with the Church 1801 – Makes an agreement with the Pope France will recognize Catholicism as the religion of France In return, the Pope will not ask for the return of church land that was seized Most important achievement – codification of the laws The most important of these codification of the laws was the Civil code aka the “Napoleonic Code” Equality of all citizens before the law Religious toleration Abolition of feudalism (destroying the old class system that France had prior to the Revolution) A new Bureaucracy Instead of being appointed or promoted by birth, promotion within Napoleon’s bureaucracy was based on ability

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE

The Grand Empire Wars with European nations starts…again Napoleon has decisive victories against Austria, Prussia and Russia – NOW he could create a new European order 1807-1812: Napoleon’s Grand Empire was comprised (made up of) the French empire, the dependent states (almost all of Italy, Switzerland and Germany) and the allied states (Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Hungary)

The Grand Empire…Continued Why does Napoleon’s Grand Empire collapse? Britain’s survival Sea power – Britain ruled the waters British decisive victory at Trafalgar Continental System – stop British ships good from reaching Europe Allied states resented being told by Napoleon who they could and could not trade with Result? Some resisted, others traded with Britain anyway Nationalism Nationalism – unique cultural identity of people based on same language, religion and national symbols With Napoleon spreading the ideas and values of the French Revolution outside of France, it brought other countries MORE patriotic, AND it showed other nations what an armed, patriotic nation is capable of

The Grand Empire…Continued Invasion of Russia Russia refused to abide by the Continental System – this makes really egotistical, arrogant Napoleon upset Napoleon had to act quickly – needed a quick defeat of the Russian armies Problem – Russia refuses to engage in battle Russian troops retreat into Russia drawing Napoleon’s troops further into Russia Russian’s defeat Napoleon’s Grand Army by retreating hundreds of miles and burning their own villages and countryside so that Napoleon’s troops couldn’t find food or supplies

The Grand Empire…Continued Moscow and the Great Retreat City is ablaze – no food, no supplies so Napoleon is forced to retreat (the “Great Retreat”) Problem – Napoleon’s troops start retreating back towards France during the harsh, miserable Russian winter 40,000 of the original 600,000 army made it back OR 15% Napoleon is exiled to the Isle of Elba Bourbon monarchy is restored – Louis XVIII Not popular, Napoleon sneaks back into France tries to raise an army against Belgium – defeated at the battle of Waterloo Exiled to St. Helena, where he dies

SECTION 3 – THE AGE OF NAPOLEON Chapter 11 in textbook; Pages 345 - 353