1. Napoleon Notes

2. The New Republic 1795 a new French constitution
A two house legislative body
Five man executive body (the Directory)
The constitution brought the government under the control of the wealthy middle class

3. Napoleon’s Rise Born in Corsica Went to military school
Joined the army of the new government
Oct – saved the National Convention from an army of Royalists
(FYI): Opened cannon fire at point blank range
(FYI): Became a hero of the new government
Napoleon became Europe’s most famous general

4. Corruption in Government???
1799- the Directory was corrupt
November 9, 1799 – Napoleon’s troops occupied one chamber of the National Legislature and forced members out
The second chamber elected to disband the Directory and create 3 consuls
Napoleon was one of the three

5. Napoleon Assumes Control
Napoleon assumed dictatorial powers over the other consuls
Napoleon destroys the republic

6. Napoleon becomes Emperor
1800 – Napoleon held a plebiscite
An election in which all citizens vote “yes” or “no” on an issue
The French voted for a continuation of power
1802 – plebiscite made him consul for life
December 2, 1804 Napoleon crowns himself emperor

7. Napoleon’s France Economy: Social Order: Religion:
Balanced the government budget
Created a national bank
Social Order:
Bourgeoisie were promoted according to merit
Religion:
Catholicism would be the official religion with tolerance for others

8. Napoleonic Code
Napoleon ordered the creation of a code of laws to enforce all territories in France
The Napoleonic Code became the benchmark for French laws
                      

9. By 1810 Napoleon controlled the majority of Europe
Created the Continental System
Europe tries to stay self-sufficient without trade to Britain
Britain blockades Europe
Wanted to isolate and hurt Britain

11. Invasion
1812 – Napoleon decided to invade Russia because Alexander I kept selling grain to Great Britain
June – Napoleon led 400,000 men (the Grand Army) into Russia
Russians use the scorched earth policy (burning of grain and slaughtering of cattle)

12. Caught in Winter September 14, 1812 – Napoleon enters Moscow
Napoleon’s soldiers froze, starved, and were struck by hit and run tactics on their march
Napoleon left with 400,000 soldiers and returned with 40,000
Only 10,000 were capable of fighting

13. Grand Alliance Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria attacked France
Battle of Leipzig [Battle of Nations (Oct. 1813)]
Napoleon was defeated
Napoleon’s empire crumbled
April 1814 Napoleon surrendered
Napoleon was exiled to Elba

14. Napoleon’s Comeback Louis XVIII became king
March 1, 1815 – Napoleon escaped Elba and landed in S. France
The French welcomed Napoleon and Louis XVIII fled
Napoleon ruled for 100 days

15. The Battle of Waterloo Napoleon was defeated
June 18, 1815 – Napoleon attacked the British army
Duke of Wellington commanded the British forces
All day, the French and British held firm
Prussian army arrived in the late afternoon
Wellington’s army made a fierce bayonet charge which broke the French army into retreat
Napoleon was defeated

16. Napoleon was Exiled Napoleon was forced to St. Helena
Remote island in the South Atlantic
Napoleon died in 1821

17. Congress of Vienna Goal: establish a balance of power in Europe
European monarchs held meetings in Vienna to establish a long-lasting peace
The most influential representative was from Austria: Klemens von Metternich wanted
Establish security and stability in Europe by:
Prevent future French aggression
Restore a balance of power
Restore Europe’s royal families
                        

18. Metternich’s Plan for Europe

19. Effects of the Congress of Vienna
Re-establishing the monarchies kept Europe at peace for the next 40 years
France and England were constitutional monarchies / Russia, Prussia and Austria were absolute monarchies
Metternich created the Concert of Europe which ensured European nations would aid each other if revolution broke out

20. Legacy of the French Revolution
The Three Estates were dissolved
The Ideas of the Enlightenment were established in France in Napoleon’s Code
The government was separated from church and state
Nationalism: the belief that people should be loyal to their nation or people
Even though the French Revolution failed, it had set ideas of freedom in the minds of European people and will eventually lead to revolutions later