1. The Rise and Fall of Napoleon
How did Napoleon gain and eventually lose his empire?

2. E. Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état
I. Napoleon Takes Power
A. War continues, Royalists try to take over the French Assembly
B. 1795: Brigadier General Napoleon Bonaparte leads troops against Royalists
1. Easy win – seen as hero & appointed General of the Army
C. 1796: Napoleon’s troops beat Austria but lose to Brit’s in Egypt
D. 1799: people losing confidence in the Assembly
E. Nov: Napoleon seizes power in a coup d’état
F. Jan 1800: Plebiscite (vote of the people) approves a new constitution (#2)
1. New constitution gives unlimited power to Napoleon =

3. II. Napoleon Changes France
A. Napoleon begins public schools (Lycée)
B. Removes corrupt government officials
C. Creates new laws called Napoleonic Code
Code gave France “uniform” laws & eliminated injustices
limited freedoms gained in the revolution & restored slavery
* 1802: All wars in Europe end
D. 1803: Napoleon loses slave revolt in St. Domingue & $ell$ Louisiana Territory to U.S.
E. 1804: Napoleon is crowned Emperor of France – people approve

4. 1. Fights British Navy & loses Battle of Trafalgar
III. Napoleonic Wars
A. 1804: Napoleon uses U.S. $ to establish an Empire in Europe
1. Annexes some Italian States, Netherlands, Illyrian Provinces
B. 1805: Napoleon tries to cut off British supplies
1. Fights British Navy & loses Battle of Trafalgar
C. 1808: Peninsular War
1. Nap. invades Spain and puts his brother Joseph on the throne
D. Countries that lose forced to sign peace treaties with France
Battle of
Austerlitz
Peninsular War
Battle of Trafalgar

5. E. Napoleon tries to Blockade Britain – “Continental System”
1. Not successful
IV. Napoleon’s Empire Collapsing
A. Russian Czar against Continental System
B. June 1812: France invades Russia
1. Czar Alexander uses “scorched-earth policy” to defend Russia
2. Dec 1812: Cold Russian winter then sets in, Russians start attacking Napoleon’s tired & hungry army (422K to start – 28K left to retreat)

7. V. Napoleon’s Final Chapter
A. 1814: Napoleon defeated in Napoleonic Wars & is exiled to Elba
B. Louis XVIII (Louis XVI brother) takes the throne, becomes Absolute Monarch, people upset
C. 1815: Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France
D. People happy, Napoleon quickly recruits an army and retakes France starting the 100 Days
E. Britain & Prussia form alliance to stop Napoleon
F. Napoleon’s forces fight the British army at Battle of Waterloo
1. Britain holds Napoleon’s army until arrival of Prussia’s army
G. Napoleon is defeated and the British send him to a remote island (St. Helena) in the South Atlantic Ocean
1. On the island, Napoleon lives alone and dies of a stomach ailment in 1821

8. Voices from the Past: Napoleon’s Mysterious End
What was the original diagnosis about Napoleon's death?
What is the new theory of Napoleon’s death? How do we know this information?
Who are the suspects in Napoleon’s death? (four answers)
Which theory do you believe and why?