Age of Napoleon CH. 3.4

Napoleon Rises to Power Bio Born on the Island of Corsica Began training in France for a military career at age 9 Was eager to make a name for himself Charismatic and dominant leader Victories Cloud Losses December 1793, drove British forces out of the French port of Toulon

Napoleon Rises to Power cont. Victories Cloud Losses cont. Followed w/ victories against Austria, captured most of northern Italy, & forced the Hapsburg emperor to make peace 1798, led his forces to Egypt, & faced disastrous results 1799, he moved from military leader to politician. Helped overthrow the directory and est. a three man governing board-”Consulate” New constitution is written Napoleon makes himself First Consul 1802 names himself Consul for life

Napoleon Rises to Power cont. Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor 1804 Napoleon assumes the title of Emperor of the French (Takes the crown from the Pope’s hands & placed it on his own head) With each step in his rise to power Napoleon held a plebiscite – popular vote by ballot. He was strongly supported by the French (still held absolute power)

Napoleon’s Reforms France Napoleon’s Government He valued order and authority He made reforms to improve the economy Controlled prices, encouraged new industry, built roads & canals public school system (to ensure well trained officials and military officers) Improved relations w/ the Catholic Church Concordat of 1801- kept church under state control, allowed for religious freedom

Napoleon’s Reforms France cont. Napoleonic Code New code of laws. Equality of all citizens before the law, religious toleration, absolution of feudalism, advancement based on merit (embodies enlightenment principles). Undid some rights women gained during the Revolution Napoleon favored authority & order over individual rights

Napoleon Builds an Empire Map of Europe is Redrawn 1804-1812 Napoleon invades & annex the Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Italy, and Germany. Abolishes Holy Roman Empire, created a 38 member Confederation of the Rhine River under French protection, and cut the Prussian territory in 1/2 Used friends and family through forceful diplomacy to control much of Europe.

Napoleon Builds an Empire cont. Napoleon strikes Britain 1805 Napoleon prepares to invade Britain Battle of Trafalgar British admiral Nelson smash the French fleet. Napoleon focuses on warfare w/ Continental System Closed European ports to British goods. Britain responded w/ its own blockade of European goods. Continental System failed to bring Britain down

Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges Nationalism works against Napoleon Europeans begin to see Napoleon and his armies as foreign oppressors Resentment of Continental system & French culture Revolts begin against France (Rome, Madrid, Netherlands, etc.) Spain & Austria Battle the French Reforms with Catholic Church spur Spaniards to be loyal to their king and the Church Spanish are met w/ brutal repression by French forces use guerilla warfare Austria is encouraged to resume war as well

Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges cont. Russian Winter stops the Army 1812 Napoleon invades Russia Russian army retreats eastward using a scorched-earth policy. Unable to feed his army (through winter)Napoleon turns homeward in Oct. Napoleon’s reputation for success is shattered

Napoleon falls from Power Napoleon abdicates Briefly 1814 Napoleon steps down from power Louis XVIII is crowned king of France Agreed to keep Napoleonic code, & honor land settlements Economic depression and fear of the return to the old regime, help rekindle loyalty to Napoleon 1815 Napoleon re-enters Paris in triumph

Napoleon falls from Power cont. Crushed at the Battle of Waterloo Jan. 18, 1815 French & British forces meet British forces under the Duke of Wellington crush the French Again Napoleon is forced to abdicate (step down) Napoleon’s Legacy Napoleonic Codes consolidated many of the changes of the Revolution Created a centralized state w/ a constitution

Napoleon falls from Power cont. Napoleon’s Legacy cont. More citizens had a right to property & access to education Napoleon's conquests spread the ideas of revolution & Nationalism across Europe

Congress of Vienna Meeting of Europe’s leaders Had the task of restoring stability to Europe Met to 10 months Sept. 1814-June 1815 Many diplomats spent the time socializing Congress Strives for Peace Peace is created by establishing a balance of power Map of Europe is re-drawn Leaders agree to meet periodically to discuss issues to avoid war