The Napoleonic Era
The Life and Times of Napoleon
Early Life and Personal Information
Born in 1769 on the French island of
Corsica
 Attended military school
 Became a general at age 26
 5’2” tall
 Married Josephine de Beauharnais

Rise of Napoleon
String of military victories
 Exaggerated his exploits in Egypt
 The gov’t was turned over to Napoleon

“Bloodless Revolution”
 Coup d’etat- “blow of state” or the seizing of
power by force


“I found the crown of France lying on the
ground, and I picked it up with my
sword”- Napoleon Bonaparte
The Napoleonic Era


Napoleon supported many of the reforms of the
Revolution
Napoleon as Dictator

Consulate- executive branch of gov’t


Napoleon could propose laws and legislature could only approve
them.
Put the new Constitution to a Plebiscite, or vote of the people.


People could only vote yes or no
Accomplishments




Napoleonic Code- Organization of all French Law
Est. the Bank of France
Public Education System- High Schools, Universities, &
Technical Schools
Concordat- agreement (treaty) w/ the pope
Napoleonic Era

Napoleon as Emperor
Voted Emperor in another plebiscite
 Put into place Continental System

A blockade of Britain
 Hurt France economically more than helped it


Increased Nationalism


Pride in one’s country
Peninsular War
Fall of Napoleon

Napoleon tried to invade Russia


Russians retreat & practice Scorhced-earth policyburning and destroying crops, etc.
Many troops died of starvation, freezing, and attack.
Many also deserted.

Napoleon agrees to give up claim to throne.
 Napoleon returned a year later to take back
his throne


Time of this reclaiming was called the 100 Days
Napoleon was defeated @ Waterloo & sent into
exile by the British.