1. Napoleon Forges an Empire

2. Napoleon Seizes Power
Oct 1795: royalist rebels marched on the National Convention, Napoleon was put in charge of defense
he became a hero, savior of the French Republic
Nov 1799 Napoleon’s troops surrounded the National Legislature, forced members to dissolve Directory, set up a group of three consuls
Napoleon quickly assumed the powers of a dictator in a Coup d’Etat: blow to the state, a sudden seizure of power

3. Napoleon Brings Stability and Order
1800: a plebiscite, or vote of the people, was held to approve new constitution-gave real power to Napoleon as first consul
1st task: fix economy
national banking system
efficient method of tax collection
Dismissed corrupt officials, set up lycees, or gov’t run public schools, Open to male students of all backgrounds-graduates appointed to public office

4. Napoleon Rules France
He signed a concordat, or agreement, with Pope Pius VII: gov’t recognized influence of church, but rejected church control in national affairs
Greatest work was comprehensive system of laws: Napoleonic Code
Gave country uniform set of laws and eliminated many injustices
BUT limited liberty
restricted freedom of speech and press

5. Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
1804 becomes Emperor

6. Napoleon in St Domingue
1789 Revolution ideas spread to St Domingue(Haiti)
they demanded same privileges as ppl of France
Civil war erupted, enslaved Africans under Toussaint L’Ouverture seized control
1801 Napoleon tried to take power back-failed
Napoleon decided to cut his losses-sold Louisiana Territory to US in 1803 for $15 million

7. Conquering Europe
Annexed Austrian Netherlands, parts of Italy, puppet gov’t in Switzerland
British, Russia, Austria, and Sweden joined together against France
Napoleon crushed the opposition
Battle of Austerlitz in 1805 was one famous victory
Signed treaties with Austria, Prussia and Russia-enabled him to build largest European empire since the Romans; only major enemy was Britain

8. The Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon only lost one major battle: The Battle of Trafalgar: 1805 vs. British commander Horatio Nelson
He split the French fleet, captured many ships
It ensured British navy supremacy for the next 100 yrs and forced Napoleon to give up plans to invade Britain

9. The French Empire
First decade of 1800s Napoleon’s victories gave him control over most of Europe
Only areas free were Sweden, Britain, Portugal, and the Ottoman Empire
Napoleon controlled many independent countries via puppets, alliances
Huge but unstable-able to maintain it from