Napoleon Bonaparte The French Empire

Napoleon Seizes Power Came to be recognized as one of the world’s greatest military geniuses. Born in Corsica and at age nine was sent to military school. In 1785, at the age of 16, he finished school and became a lieutenant in the artillery. When the Revolution broke out, Napoleon joined the army of the new government.

Hero of the Hour In October 1795, when royalist rebels marched in the National Convention (Robespierre's government), a government official told Napoleon to defend the delegates. Napoleon greeted the thousands of royalists with a cannonade. He was hailed as the savior of the French republic. In 1796, the Directory appointed Napoleon to lead the French army against forces of Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia. He won victories and was portrayed as a hero.

Coup d’Etat By 1799, the Directory had lost control of the political situation and the confidence of the French people. Napoleon was urged to seize political power. He took control, dissolved the Directory, and established a group of three consuls, one of whom was Napoleon. He then assumed the powers of a dictator. War with Britain, Austria, and Russia in hopes to drive him out, but later signed a peace agreement. By 1802, Europe was at peace which gave Napoleon time to restore order in France.

Napoleon Rules France Napoleon proved to be a monarch over France and ruled as a dictator, controlling parts of French society. Tackled issues with the economy, corrupt officials, and religion. Set of laws known as the Napoleonic Code. Limited liberty and promoted order and authority over individual rights. Freedom of speech and of the press were restricted. Restored slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean. He ruled as a dictator- a ruler with total power over a country, typically one who has obtained power by force.

The Emperor In 1804, Napoleon decided to make himself emperor, and the French voters supported him. On December 2, 1804, dressed in a splendid robe or purple velvet, he walked down the isle of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Pope waited for him with the glittering crown. Napoleon then took the crown from the pope and placed it on his own head.

The French Empire Annexed the Austrian Netherlands and parts of Italy. Set up a puppet government in Switzerland. Controlled Spain, the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, and a number of German kingdoms. Russia, Prussia, and Austria, were attached to Napoleon’s empires through alliances.