The Rise of Napoleon

Napoleon Rises to Power Napoleon was born in Corsica, a French Rule island in the Mediterranean. When the revolution broke out he was only 20 years of age and worked as a lieutenant in the military. -During the revolution he quickly rose through the ranks -By 1799, he changed is his career from that of a military man to a politician

Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor In 1781, Napoleon has gained enough power to crown himself, Emperor of the French -During his rise to power Napoleon had held a plebiscite: a popular support by ballot -Although the people had a vote/say in the government Napoleon was a absolute ruler

Napoleon Makes Changes…. Napoleon restored order and prosperity and strengthened the central government. He: Controlled prices Encouraged industry Built roads and canals Set up public schools Recognized peasants right to lands they had gained Made peace with the Church

Napoleonic Code His most lasting reform was a new code of laws known as the Napoleonic Code: a body of French civil laws introduced in 1804; served as model for many nations’ civil codes. It embodied enlightenment principles. Equality of all male citizens before the law Religious toleration Abolition of feudalism

Napoleon Build An Empire From 1804 to 1812, Napoleon successfully battled most of Europe and created an empire. France annexed the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany. Napoleon cut Prussian territory in half and abolished the Holy Roman Empire. He placed his own relatives on some European thrones.

Napoleon Plans to Invade France Britain was the only major European power to remain outside of Napoleon’s empire. France’s navy was no match for Britain's superior navy. So with invasion out of the question Napoleon institutes the Continental System: which closed all European ports to British good. The blockades created some hardships but Britain was able to maintain its trade routes in India and the Americas.

Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges Many Europeans who had welcomed the ideas of the French Revolution saw Napoleon and his army as oppressors. In Spain, people resisted reforms that undermined the king and the Catholic Church. Nationalism in occupied countries created revolts and patriotic resistance through guerrilla warfare: hit-and-run raids

Napoleon Attempts to Invade Russia When Napoleon attacked, the retreating Russian army used a scorched-earth policy: a military tactic in which soldiers destroy everything in it’s path to hurt the enemy This tactic made it impossible for Napoleon’s army to survive on what they left.

Napoleon Abdicates Napoleon abdicated: stepped down from power, in 1814 and Louis XVIII was recognized as king of France. But Napoleon returned to France in triumph after Louis XVIII’s return rekindled fears of the old regime. After Frances defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon was forced to abdicate a second and final time. The final defeat and exile of Napoleon ended the period of the French Revolution

The Congress of Vienna After the Battle of Waterloo, diplomats and heads of state at the Congress of Vienna: assembly of European leaders that met after the Napoleonic era to piece Europe back together, and redrew the map of Europe.

The Congress of Vienna The Congress of Vienna promoted the principle of legitimacy and restored monarchies in nations throughout Europe. The creation of the Concert of Europe enabled the powers to meet periodically to address any new problems affecting the peace of Europe. The Concert of Europe kept peace in Europe for over 100 years.