Lesson 3.6

Knight’s Charge  Who filled the “power vacuum” that was created after Louis XVI was executed?  What happened during the “Reign of Terror?”  Why did Robespierre have so many people killed?  How were people executed? Why?  If Mr. Sliwa were any television show character, who would he be?

Weird Disney Fact of the Day!

French Turmoil  By the late 1790’s, people were begging for some sort of stability in France  The “Directory” was not providing stability  The one force that was able to take “charge” of the nation was…  The Army!!!

Rise of Napoleon  Napoleon was a political leader in the army  The army embodied the popular values of the nation  Born in 1769 – Napoleon received a large scholarship to the military academy  He quickly became a lieutenant in the army  He inspired and motivated troops  Was one of the first to study famous military campaigns and the use of technology  The French revolution gave him the opportunity to use his knowledge and talents

Military Successes  Napoleon led successful campaigns against France’s enemies – Particularly Italy  Some of his tactics: Speed: Use of a cavalry to outflank the opponent Surprise: To gain a territorial advantage Decisive Action: Aa centralized chain of command Quick Artillery Strikes: to injure the enemy before an attack Used “overwhelming force” to disperse the enemy lines

Rise of Napoleon  He returns to Paris a hero!  His only remaining enemy:  England!  But, Napoleon is ….Smart.  He decides to attack England’s colonies in Egypt instead!

Napoleon Grabs Power  When he returns to France, he uses the army to overthrow the directory and establish a consulate.  Consulate = A 3 person executive branch  The consulate had democratic principles…but, Napoleon seized power for himself and named himself “First Consul.”

Napoleon as Emperor  Has a BIG EGO!  Re-Writes the French Constitution to include his title as “Emperor of the French.”  Invites Pope to Coronation – But, places crown on his own head!  Extends Napoleonic Code (set of laws) around Europe

Napoleonic Code  1. Safeguards all forms of property  2. Employment to be based on talent, not birth  3. Merit- Based Pay  4. Workers organizations are forbidden  5. Men are granted FULL control of their families  6. Divorce was made difficult, if not impossible, for women

Napoleon’s Empire  Napoleon could put as many as 700,000 men in the military at one time.  Nobody could match his army  He could not wipe out England because they had a better Navy  So…He adopted the Continental System to cripple their trade

The Continental System  France forbids any of the conquered nations to trade with the British.  He hoped to create a revolution in England and drive them to war  The system was a COMPLETE FAILURE  The British economy survived by trading with…  North and South America.

The Fall of Napoleon  Russia did not like him  1810 – Russia withdraws from the Continental System and prepares for war  Napoleon’s Biggest Mistake:  Napoleon creates an army of 600,000 men to fight Russia.  Russia practiced a “scorched earth” policy. They destroyed all food, supplies, and land as they retreated from an area.  Napoleon’s army could not live off of the land  It was bitterly cold…so, Napoleon abandons his own army and retreats.

…Sad Napoleon…  Weakened, Napoleon is captured and exiled to Elba.  The Hundred Days – Napoleon escapes, takes control of France again, and is finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo…and exiled again… Napoleon is now Sad…