The Rise and Fall of Napoleon How did Napoleon gain power in France and how did he eventually lose his empire? Napoleon

Napoleon Takes Power After execution of Robespierre, Committee of Public Safety abolished Royalists try to take over the French Assembly 1795: Napoleon Bonaparte leads troops against Royalists Easy win – seen as hero so he is appointed General of the Army 1796: leads troops to win over Austria but loses to British in Egypt By 1799, people were losing confidence in the Assembly Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état Jan: Plebiscite (vote of the people) approves a new constitution New constitution gives power to Napoleon =

Napoleon Changes France Napoleon begins public schools (Lycée) He removes corrupt Government Officials Napoleon forms new laws called the Napoleonic Code Code gives France “uniform” laws and eliminated injustices, the code also limited freedoms gained in the revolution & restored slavery 1802: All wars in Europe end 1803: Napoleon loses slave revolt in Haiti & sells Louisiana Territory to US Napoleon happy to gain $ from sale and make US a power (slap at Britain) 1804: Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France – people approve

Win @ Austerlitz Napoleonic Wars Having given up on his Empire in the Americas, Napoleon plans to establish an Empire in Europe – starts taking small Italian States He annexes the Austrian Netherlands and puts a puppet govt. in Switzerland He invades Spain and puts his brother Joseph on the throne Spanish resist using “guerilla warfare” Napoleon attacks other countries in Europe, incl. major win @ Austerlitz After victories against Austria, Prussia, and Russia he forces those countries to sign peace treaties with France Win @ Austerlitz Guerilla Warfare

Loses Battle of Traflagar (1805) Napoleon attempts to Blockade Britain Unsuccessful – triggers War of 1812 Loss/failed blockade proves British navy best in world By 1812, Napoleon’s empire was starting to collapse Other key mistakes: Invasion of Russia (upset with Czar) Czar Alexander uses “scorched-earth policy” The cold Russian winter then sets in and then the Russians begin attacking Napoleon’s tired and hungry army (422K to start – 28K retreat)

Napoleon’s Final Chapter Napoleon loses war and is exiled to Elba Louis XVIII (the brother of Louis XVI) takes the throne in France People do not like the new King and think he will try to return Absolutism Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France. French people are happy to see his return – this starts the “100 days” He quickly recruits an army and once again he takes over France Rest of Europe quickly get their armies together to put a stop to Napoleon once and for all Napoleon’s forces fight the British army at Waterloo, Belgium Britain holds Napoleon’s army until the arrival of Prussia’s army (1815) Napoleon is defeated and the British ship him to a remote island (St. Helena) in the South Atlantic Ocean On the island, Napoleon lives alone and dies of a stomach ailment (probably cancer) in 1821

Voices from the Past: Napoleon’s Mysterious End What was the original diagnosis about Napoleon's death? What is the new theory of Napoleon’s death? How do we know this information? Who are the suspects in Napoleon’s death? (four answers) Which theory do you believe and why?