Napoleon Forges an Empire

Napoleon Seizes Power Oct 1795: royalist rebels marched on the National Convention, Napoleon was put in charge of defense he became a hero, savior of the French Republic Nov 1799 Napoleon’s troops surrounded the National Legislature, forced members to dissolve Directory, set up a group of three consuls Napoleon quickly assumed the powers of a dictator in a Coup d’Etat: blow to the state, a sudden seizure of power

Napoleon Brings Stability and Order 1800: a plebiscite, or vote of the people, was held to approve new constitution-gave real power to Napoleon as first consul 1st task: fix economy national banking system efficient method of tax collection Dismissed corrupt officials, set up lycees, or gov’t run public schools, Open to male students of all backgrounds-graduates appointed to public office

Napoleon Rules France He signed a concordat, or agreement, with Pope Pius VII: gov’t recognized influence of church, but rejected church control in national affairs Greatest work was comprehensive system of laws: Napoleonic Code Gave country uniform set of laws and eliminated many injustices BUT limited liberty restricted freedom of speech and press

Napoleon Crowned as Emperor 1804 becomes Emperor

Napoleon in St Domingue 1789 Revolution ideas spread to St Domingue(Haiti) they demanded same privileges as ppl of France Civil war erupted, enslaved Africans under Toussaint L’Ouverture seized control 1801 Napoleon tried to take power back-failed Napoleon decided to cut his losses-sold Louisiana Territory to US in 1803 for $15 million

Conquering Europe Annexed Austrian Netherlands, parts of Italy, puppet gov’t in Switzerland British, Russia, Austria, and Sweden joined together against France Napoleon crushed the opposition Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 was one famous victory Signed treaties with Austria, Prussia and Russia-enabled him to build largest European empire since the Romans; only major enemy was Britain

The Battle of Trafalgar Napoleon only lost one major battle: The Battle of Trafalgar: 1805 vs. British commander Horatio Nelson He split the French fleet, captured many ships It ensured British navy supremacy for the next 100 yrs and forced Napoleon to give up plans to invade Britain

The French Empire First decade of 1800s Napoleon’s victories gave him control over most of Europe Only areas free were Sweden, Britain, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire Napoleon controlled many independent countries via puppets, alliances Huge but unstable-able to maintain it from 1807-1812