1. Napoleon Bonaparte

2. As a military genius, Napoleon seized power in France and made himself emperor.

3. Why does this matter today?
In times of political turmoil, military dictators often seize control of nations.

4. Napoleon’s
Rise to Power

5. Born in 1769, on the island of Corsica
At age 9, sent to military school
At 16, became a lieutenant in army

6. In 1795, led fight against the royalists and became a hero
In 1796, the Directory appointed him general

7. His troops loved and admired him!
“He awakened in my soul the desire for glory.”

8. With wife, Josephine, he got support from influential people to put him in control of the military in November 1799.

9. Next day, his troops took over the legislature, forcing them to dissolve the Directory
3 Consuls established

10. Napoleon was named First Consul
This is a coup d’etat or “blow of state”

11. Plebiscite = vote of the people
1800:Constitution
1802:Consul for Life
1804:Emperor

12. Coronation:

13. December 2,1804
Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
Placed crown on his own head!

14. Achievements
as Emperor

15. Economic Order:
equal taxation
national bank
balanced budget

16. Social Order:
Welcomed back emigres
Lycees=government run public schools

17. Religious Order:
Tolerance but Catholicism recognized as France’s religion

18. Legal Order:
Napoleonic Code

19. Government Order:
Dismissed corrupt officials
Promotions based on merit

20. Expanded Empire: Army conquered land throughout Europe
Largest European empire since Rome.

21. In order to fund his conquests, Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the U.S. in 1803, for $15 million.

22. Napoleon’s Three Costly Mistakes

23. #1. Continental System:
1806, blockade of Britain

24. #2. Peninsular War:
1808, fought with Spanish guerillas after he made his brother king

25. #3. Invasion of Russia:
1812, French Army marched toward Moscow, but Russians used Scorched-Earth Policy

26. Napoleon’s Downfall
“I love power.” ---Napoleon

27. His enemies saw he was weakened
His enemies saw he was weakened. A coalition, the Grand Alliance, formed against him. (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria and Sweden)

28. Grand Alliance was too much for his army.
Surrendered in April 1814.
Exiled to island of Elba at age 45.

29. Louis XVIII became King of France but was disliked by the people.

30. The Hundred Days:
Escaped in March 1815, drove out Louis
Battle of Waterloo, June 18,1815, lost to Britain and Prussia

31. Exiled to St. Helena in South Atlantic
Died in 1821, of stomach ailment (cancer?)