The Age of Napoleon
“Since one must take sides, one might as well
choose the side that is victorious, the side which
devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the
alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten.”
I. Napoleon Rises to Power
A. Victories Cloud Losses
1. Napoleon rises quickly in the
army
2. Forces are crushed in Egypt
a. Establishes a network of spies,
censors the press
3. Napoleon overthrows
Directory and sets up a
three-man governing body
called the Consulate
a. He takes the title of First
Consul
B. Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor
1. Takes crown from the hands of the pope
2. Holds a plebiscite
a. Popular vote by ballot
b. Still holds absolute power
II. Napoleon Reforms France
A. Restores economic prosperity
1. Controlled prices, encouraged new industry,
built roads and canals
B. Napoleonic Code
1. Equality of all citizens before the law
2. Religious toleration
3. Abolished feudalism
III. Napoleon Builds an Empire
A. The Map of Europe is Redrawn
1. He annexed the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts
of Italy and Germany
a. Incorporated into his empire
2. Napoleon controlled most of Europe through
forceful diplomacy
a. His successes increased the spirit of nationalism
A. Napoleon Strikes Britain
1. Britain remains outside of Napoleon’s control
a. The British destroy the French navy before Napoleon
can invade
2. Instead Napoleon wages economic warfare
through the Continental System
a. Both British and French blockade the other’s ports
b. As a result, prices soar which increases resentment of
the French
IV. Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges
A. Nationalism Works Against Napoleon
1. Nationalism fuels French armies’ successes
2. Also encourages resentment and revolt by controlled
areas
B. Spain and Austria Battle the French
1. Spanish patriots conducted a campaign of guerrilla
warfare
a.
b.
Hit-and-run tactics
This keeps French troops in Spain when needed elsewhere
2. Napoleon conquers Austria
C. The Russian Winter Stops the Grand Army
1. Napoleon invades Russia with his Grand Army of
600,000 soldiers and 50,000 horses
2. Russia avoids battles with Napoleon practicing
scorched-earth policy
a. Russians burn crops and villages as they retreat
which leaves the French without food or shelter
when winter arrives
3. Napoleon retreats
a. 1,000 mile retreat takes toll on troops
b. Less than 20,000 soldiers survive
V. Napoleon Falls From Power
A. Napoleon Abdicates Briefly
1. Napoleon steps down from power
a. Exiled to Elba
2. King Louis XVIII restored to the throne
3. Napoleon returns to Paris and seizes power
B. Crushed at the Battle of Waterloo
1. Napoleon’s return is short-lived
2. British and Prussian forces destroy the
French at the Waterloo
3. Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena
C. Napoleon’s Legacy
1. Napoleonic Code
2. Elections, suffrage, education were all
expanded
3. Sparks nationalism throughout Europe
VI. Leaders Meet at the Congress of Vienna
A. Congress Strives for Peace
1. European leaders want to create a lasting peace
in Europe
a. Balance of power
b. Protect the system of monarchy
2. Map of Europe is redrawn
a. France is surrounded with strong countries
B. Congress Fails to See Traps Ahead
1. Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain
form the Quadruple Alliance
2. Concert of Europe- European powers
pledged to meet periodically to discuss
problems affecting peace in Europe