The Reign of Napoleon
Agenda
1. Bell Ringer: Was a revolt necessary within the French
Revolution?
2. Lecture, The Reign of Napoleon
3. Group Image Interpretation, Napoleon as Emperor
4. Napoleonic Code Activity
5. Propaganda Analysis: Napoleon
6. Phases of the French Revolution Matching Activity
7. Test Information
HW: Study for test.
The Directory
• After Robespierre,
moderates took over.
• Power was with the
upper-middle class,
executive group of five
men.
• Napoleon is the general
of France’s army.
Napoleon takes power
• Begins career fighting the
Royal rebels attempted to
attack National Convention,
1795.
• Leads a coup d’Etat against the
Directory, who lost control of
the chaotic situation in
Europe.
• He controlled the army, so he
drives out the Directory, and
becomes First Consul.
• People held a plebiscite to
vote for new Constitution.
– Napoleon chosen for his strong
leadership.
Napoleonic Code, Emperor
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He allowed reform, but promoted
order and stability similar to a
dictator.
Set up tax collections, and a national
banking system.
Reduced government corruption by:
– Removing corrupt officials.
– Setting up “lycees” to educate
students so they could work for
government.
The Church was no longer part of the
State.
Napoleonic Code: uniform set of laws
that limited social freedom and the
rights of Citizens.
The French Empire: Napoleon Style
• 1804, Napoleon is
crowned as Emperor.
– Scandal!!! He crowns
HIMSELF!
– That’s the Pope’s Job.
• He wants to expand the
French Empire.
– Sells Louisiana to the
United States, (1803)
– Needs the money, and it
makes Britain look bad.
Conquering Europe
• French forces are
unstoppable against Britain,
Austria, and Russia.
• Central Europe would sign
peace treaties with
Napoleon.
• Attempts to take Britain
failed.
– Battle of TrafalgarFrench/Spanish Navy is
defeated by smaller British
Navy.
• French Empire would reach
height in 1812.
Napoleon’s Mistakes: Continental
System
• Blockade to prevent
communication between
Great Britain and Europe.
• Napoleon thought Europe
would be self-sufficient.
• Smugglers could get
through the blockade
• Britain allowed its own
blockade, and caused
economic turmoil in
France.
Mistakes: Peninsular War
• Napoleon disregarded Spain
and invaded Portugal in 1808.
• Deposing the monarch, people
begin to rebel in Spain.
– Defended their faith.
• Guerrilla warfare would
weaken French forces (they
couldn’t figure out how to
fight them)
• Britain would help the rebels
against the French.
• Nationalist ideas worked
against Napoleon.
Mistakes: Invasion of Russia
• Decided to attack Alexander I for selling
grain to Britain.
• Napoleon’s grand army was a
conglomeration of many cultures.
• Russians would retreat in a “scorchedearth” policy, leaving no supplies for
the invading army.
• Russian winter kept them in Moscow,
soldiers began to retreat to Europe.
• The winter, and Russian raiders would
attack troops sporadically in -30 degree
weather.
• Begins war with 422,000 and leaves
with less than 10,000.
The Downfall
• Everyone went against
France, including Austria.
• 1814, Russia and Prussia
make it to Paris. Napoleon’s
generals refuse to fight.
• Exiled to Elba, Louis XVIII
takes power in France.
• 1815, Napoleon escapes,
rounds up an army, and
takes France from the King.
– Quickly removed from power
after 100 days.
• Waterloo- Final stand for
Napoleon.
Restoring Stability in France
• Foreign Minister of Austria,
Metternich, leads the
Congress of Vienna.
• Distrusted the Revolution,
• Prevent French aggression
by surrounding it with
stronger countries.
– Contain France
• Restore a balance of power.
(Alliances)
• Restore Europe’s royal
families.
Group Image Analysis
• As a group, you will be
given a propaganda
image to analyze and
describe to the class.
1. What is the image
depicting? Is it a
positive or negative
image?
2. Does it seem realistic?
Explain.
3. How does the image
show Napoleon?
Explain.