The Age of Napoleon Begins Link to “The End of An Era”

Early Life His family was minor nobles, but had little money. He was sent to France for military school when he was a boy.

Early Successes Following his success as a general, Napoleon became a politician.

A Self-Made Emperor In 1799, Napoleon helped stage a coup d’etat. Coup d’etat—A sudden, illegal overthrow of the government by a state establishment, usually by the military.

Napoleon declared himself Emperor of France in 1804. At this time, Napoleon was popular and strongly supported throughout France.

What caused Napoleon to move to France? How did Napoleon rise to power?

France Under Napoleon Napoleon valued order and authority over individual freedoms and rights.

Order, security and efficiency replaced liberty, equality, and fraternity as the slogans of the new regime.

Napoleon introduced a number of economic, political and educational reforms which helped Napoleon gain support across class lines. Napoleon even made jobs “open to all talent”

A new law code that drew upon Enlightenment principles such as the equality of all citizens before the law, religious freedom and women’s rights.

What became the slogan of the new regime? What were some features of Napoleonic Code?

Building an Empire Napoleon gained a reputation as one of the greatest military leaders of all time. He developed a new strategy for each battle, so opposing generals could never anticipate what he would do next.

Napoleon began to expand his empire across most of Europe.

His conquests helped him become even more popular throughout France.

Other European countries developed a series of coalitions in order to stop Napoleon. Coalitions—A temporary union or alliance against a common threat.

France versus Britain Only Britain remained outside Napoleon’s European empire.

Britain is located on a island. Britain had a small army, but a strong navy.

The Continental System Due to the strength of Britain’s navy, France ruled out an invasion.

France instead hoped to destroy Britain’s economy using the Continental System. The Continental System closed European ports to British goods.

Why did Napoleon decide not to invade Britain Why did Napoleon decide not to invade Britain? What did Napoleon decide to do instead? What was the Continental System?

Britain responded with a blockade of European ports. Blockade—Shutting off ports to keep people or supplies from moving in or out.

In the end, the Continental System failed to destroy Britain’s economy. Whereas Britain survived the Continental System, many other European countries suffered.

It caused a scarcity of goods and sent prices soaring throughout Europe, resulting in intensified resentment against French power.

Was the Continental System successful or unsuccessful? Name at least three consequences of the Continental System.

Napoleon Video A Napoleon Video B

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Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Resentment toward Napoleon and the Continental System continued to spread across Europe. Most of Europe began to view Napoleon and his armies as foreign oppressors.

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire Protests against the rule of Napoleon spread across Europe.

Resistance to the Rule of Napoleon Heavy resistance against Napoleon arose in Spain and Austria. Napoleon responded by crushing both acts of resistance.

Defeat in Russia In 1812, Russia withdraws from the Continental System.

Napoleon responded by assembling his Grand Army. In 1812, more than 400,000 soldiers invaded Russia.

Russia avoided battle with Napoleon, retreating eastward. Russians burned crops and villages as they retreated.

Defeat in Russia This “scorched earth” policy left the French starving and cold as winter came. In October, Napoleon realized that he would not be able to feed his troops and turned homeward.

Defeat in Russia As Napoleon retreated, Russia attacked. Due mainly to famine and the harsh winter, Napoleon was defeated by the Russians.

Exile and Return The next year, Napoleon stepped down from power. Napoleon was exiled to Elba, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea.

Return of the King… Briefly The Monarch was briefly restored under Louis XVIII, brother of Louis XVI When the new monarchy failed, Napoleon returned to France and was given power.

Battle of Waterloo European countries quickly formed a new coalition against Napoleon. Coalitions—A temporary union or alliance against a common threat.

This coalition, led by Duke Wellington, crushed France at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon was exiled to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

Link to “The Age of Napoleon Begins”