1. Napoleon Forges an Empire
Chapter 7
Section 3

2. Main Ideas
Napoleon Bonaparte, a military genius, seized power in France and made himself emperor.
In times of political turmoil, military dictators often seize control of nations.

3. Introduction
Despite his short stature, Napoleon left a large mark on history.
He was one of the world’s greatest military geniuses.
In four years, Napoleon rose from an officer in the army to the leader of France.
He was a courageous man with an ability to inspire others.

4. Hero of the Hour
Royalist rebels marched on the National Convention.
Napoleon was told to defend the delegates.
Napoleon bombarded the royalists.
They fled within minutes.
He became the hero of the hour.

5. Napoleon 1796 – The Directory appointed Napoleon to lead an army.
He was successful and they asked him to lead an expedition in Egypt.
Napoleon was not successful.
Newspapers did not publish that information.
He remained a hero.

6. Coup d’État
The Directory no longer had control of the political situation.
Napoleon drove out most of the members of the national legislature, in an effort to seize power.
The remaining members voted out the Directory and established a group of three consuls.
Napoleon took the title of first consul and assumed the powers of a dictator.
Example of a Coup d’État – “blow to the state”.

7. Napoleon Rules France
Napoleon pretended to be the chosen leader of a free republic.
A plebiscite, vote of the people, was held to approve the new constitution.
People were eager for order and approved it.
Napoleon received all real power.

8. Restoring Order at Home
Napoleon supported laws that would:
Strengthen the central government
Achieve some goals of the French Revolution
He established a fairer tax code.
He set up government-run public schools, lycees.
He set up a comprehensive system of laws, Napoleonic Code.

9. Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
1804 – Napoleon wanted to crown himself emperor.
The ceremony took place at Notre Dame and the pope was ready to crown him.
Napoleon took the crown from the pope and crowned himself.
He was more powerful than the Church.