1. Chapter 3-4 Notes
Lecture 4
Napoleon
Standard

2. Standard
Explain how the ideology of the French Revolution led France to develop from constitutional monarchy to democratic despotism to the Napoleonic empire.
Essential Question: Was Napoleon a hero or a tyrant?

3. Napoleon… The Man, The Myth, The Legend
5’2
Born in Corsica
Moved up quickly through the French ranks
Seized power in a coup d’etat
“Savior” of the French Republic

5. Napoleon’s Rule Pretended to be a constitutionally chosen leader
Kept many of the revolutionary changes
Equal taxation, less corruption, & equal opportunities
Supported across class lines

6. The French Civil Code (Code Napoleon- still around today)
Good
Uniform set of laws
Embodied enlightenment
Equality of all citizens before the law.
Elimination of many injustices
Individual choice & religious tolerance
Bad
Limited liberty
Took away freedom of speech & press
Elimination of some rights for women
Napoleon favored his order and authority over the
people’s individual rights

7. Napoleon Creates an Empire
Attempts to expand empire in the Americas
Sells Louisiana Territory to United States
Annexes – the Netherlands, Belgium, parts of Italy, and Germany
Attacks Britain by sea and loses
this is his first mistake

8. Napoleon Makes 3 costly Mistakes

9. Mistake # 1: Continental System
No one is allowed to trade w/Britain
Starve them into submission
Plan fails
Russia/Portugal continue to trade w/Britain
France’s economy weakens

10. Mistake # 2: Peninsular War
Napoleon sends troops through Spain to invade Portugal
Inflames Spanish “nationalism” people riot
Spread of nationalism aroused opposition to France
Resistance to foreign rule
Napoleon loses 300,000 men in campaign

11. Mistake # 3 Invasion of Russia
Napoleon takes 600,000 troops into Russia in June, 1812
Grain disputes
Russia created the “scorched-earth policy” burning grain fields & slaughtering livestock
Left nothing for France
Winter kicks in (-35 degrees)
Army retreats~ less than 20,000 survive

12. Napoleon’s Downfall Enemies take advantage of Napoleon’s weakness
4th coalition (Austria, Prussia, Sweden, Britain) attack.
Napoleon surrenders in April 1814~ exiled to Elba
Escapes Battle of Waterloo-1815
Napoleon exiled (again)
Dies 1821

13. Congress of Vienna (1814) Peace lasts for 100 years
The International conference to remake Europe after the downfall of Napoleon I
Create a balance of power that would preserve the peace & restore the monarchy
German Confederation & the Netherlands was created
Concert of Europe: leaders from countries meet to talk out problems and avoid future wars.
One Hundred Days. (Sept 1814-June 1815-congree)
Peace lasts for 100 years

14. Hero? or Tyrant? Democratic despotism (dictatorship) Code Napoleon
Vote counts BUT he maintained absolute power
Liberty destroyed
Caused massive deaths of his soldiers
Cared only for his own gains
Code Napoleon
Equality for all/individual choices/religious freedoms
Conquered many lands
Bigger empire
Liberty was destroyed by Napoleon’s despotism.
Equality had been preserved by the Civil Code.

15. Vocabulary Napoleonic Code Annex Continental System Guerilla Warfare
Scorched Earth
Abdicate
Congress of Vienna
Concert of Europe