Napoleon Forges an Empire Section 7-3

Napoleon’s Background Was a very small man 5’3 & he had little man’s syndrome Was a very small man 5’3 & he had little man’s syndrome Was a revolutionary hero (protected the National Convention delegates from attacking royalists) and defeated Austria & Serbia Was a revolutionary hero (protected the National Convention delegates from attacking royalists) and defeated Austria & Serbia Could not defeat Britain in Egypt but kept news of his setbacks there out of the papers so not many knew of them Could not defeat Britain in Egypt but kept news of his setbacks there out of the papers so not many knew of them

Coming to Power The Directory had lost control of the political situation and confidence of the people in France The Directory had lost control of the political situation and confidence of the people in France Napoleon returned from Egypt and with the urging of his friends, he staged a coup d’ etat (military take over of the government) and took control of France Napoleon returned from Egypt and with the urging of his friends, he staged a coup d’ etat (military take over of the government) and took control of France He drove out most of the National Legislature and created a 3 Consul system (he made himself 1 st Consul) He drove out most of the National Legislature and created a 3 Consul system (he made himself 1 st Consul)

Coming to Power (cont.) Napoleon held a plebiscite - a vote by the people to okay a new constitution that gave him all of the political power Napoleon held a plebiscite - a vote by the people to okay a new constitution that gave him all of the political power He did this to make it appear that he was achieving power through proper channels and the people were tired of instability He did this to make it appear that he was achieving power through proper channels and the people were tired of instability He brought peace to France by ending the war with Britain, Russia, Austria, and other nations He brought peace to France by ending the war with Britain, Russia, Austria, and other nations

Napoleon’s Domestic Issues Didn’t change much (kept laws that strengthened the government and upheld Revolution values) Didn’t change much (kept laws that strengthened the government and upheld Revolution values) Fixed the economy (established a national bank & began efficient tax collecting) Fixed the economy (established a national bank & began efficient tax collecting) Dismissed many corrupt government officials & set up lycees - government run public schools Dismissed many corrupt government officials & set up lycees - government run public schools Graduates were appointed to public positions based on merit rather than family connections Graduates were appointed to public positions based on merit rather than family connections

Domestic Issues (cont.) Signed a Concordat – agreement that recognized the church’s influence but did not allow it to interfere in national affairs Signed a Concordat – agreement that recognized the church’s influence but did not allow it to interfere in national affairs Napoleonic Code – in his opinion this was Napoleon’s greatest achievement. It was a uniform set of laws that ended injustices but also restricted many personal rights Napoleonic Code – in his opinion this was Napoleon’s greatest achievement. It was a uniform set of laws that ended injustices but also restricted many personal rights Crowned himself emperor in 1804 to show the people that he was not being controlled by anyone else Crowned himself emperor in 1804 to show the people that he was not being controlled by anyone else

Napoleon’s Foreign Issues The Louisiana Purchase Louisiana Purchase – the selling of French owned land in the US (Jefferson is the President) Louisiana Purchase – the selling of French owned land in the US (Jefferson is the President) Did this to get money for France and to hurt Britain Did this to get money for France and to hurt Britain “the sale assures forever the power of the US and I have given England a rival who sooner or later will humble her pride” Napoleon “the sale assures forever the power of the US and I have given England a rival who sooner or later will humble her pride” Napoleon

Napoleon’s Foreign Issues The Battle of Trafalgar Napoleon gave up on the new world and turned his focus to Europe Napoleon gave up on the new world and turned his focus to Europe He beats up on every European nation around (England, Spain, Austria, Russia etc…) He beats up on every European nation around (England, Spain, Austria, Russia etc…) Until the Battle of Trafalgar-a sea battle between Napoleon’s navy and the British led by Horatio Nelson Until the Battle of Trafalgar-a sea battle between Napoleon’s navy and the British led by Horatio Nelson Nelson split the French up and captured much of the fleet, this victory ensured the supremacy of the British navy and stopped all plans of invading Britain Nelson split the French up and captured much of the fleet, this victory ensured the supremacy of the British navy and stopped all plans of invading Britain

Napoleon’s French Empire Only areas that were free of Napoleon’s control by 1812 were England, Sweden, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire Only areas that were free of Napoleon’s control by 1812 were England, Sweden, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire Split into 3 parts Split into 3 parts French Empire-captured by & directly controlled by Napoleon French Empire-captured by & directly controlled by Napoleon Independent nations that were ruled by Napoleon’s puppets or family members (Spain, Warsaw, and Germany kingdoms) Independent nations that were ruled by Napoleon’s puppets or family members (Spain, Warsaw, and Germany kingdoms) Allies – Russia, Austria, and Prussia who were easily controlled through military threat Allies – Russia, Austria, and Prussia who were easily controlled through military threat