1. Aim: Explain how Napoleon Bonaparte came to power and restored order in France

2. Napoleon Seizes Power Napoleon was a lieutenant in the army
Became hero of Paris and hailed as savior of France
1796: Directory appointed Napoleon to lead a French army against forces of Austria & Kingdom of Sardinia
Young general swept to Italy & won a series of victories
1799: Directory lost control of French
Napoleon’s friends urged him to seize control
Napoleon troops surrounded legislature & dissolved the Directory & its members
In place, they established a group of 3 consuls (Napoleon was first)
Napoleons seizure of power is known as a coup d’etat or “blow to the state” 2

3. Napoleon Rule France
Napoleon pretended to be constitutionally chosen leader
Gave all real power to Napoleon as first consul
Napoleon kept many of the changes that came with the revolution
Supported laws that would both strengthen the central government
Set up an efficient method of tax collection & established a national banking system
Napoleon took steps to end corruption and inefficiency in government
Dismissed corrupt officials & set up trained officials with government run schools (lycees)
Napoleon signed a concordat
Agreement with Pope Pius VII that established a new relationship with government and church
Recognized influence of Church 3

4. Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
Napoleon’s greatest work was the Napoleonic Code
Uniform set of laws that eliminated many injustices but restricted liberty & promoted order and authority over individual rights
Ex: Freedom of speech restricted under code
1804: Napoleon made himself emperor
At Notre Dame Cathedral, thousands watched as Napoleon took the crown from the pope and crowned himself
Gesture symbolized that Napoleon was more powerful than church
Traditionally, Church would crown rulers of France 4