Napoleon: Reformer Or Conqueror?
(1799-1815)
I. Intro: Background
& “The Man”
•
II. Reformer
•
A. Reforms
•
B. Limits
•
III. Conqueror
•
A. Empire
•
• Draft
•
B. Coalition
C. Fall
IV. Legacy…?
Key Terms
Plebiscite
Concordat
Napoleonic Code
Lycées
Conscription
Russian Invasion
Grand Army
Announcements: Extra Credit
• Friday 3/5 at 7:30: Otis Murphy (Classical
Saxophonist) at Ludington Center for the Arts
• Gypsy: March 12, 13; 19, 20 at 7:30; March 14
& 21 at 2:00 at Manistee’s Ramsdell Theater
• WSCC students will be admitted free if they
make reservations at the WSCC Box Office M-F
8-12:00 or leave a message at 843-5507
• To do: Attend the event & write a summary (one
page, single-spaced, typed, 350 word)
• Up to five points can be added to discussion
grade
Plebiscite
(Napoleon’s Use of “Democracy”)
A direct vote by the people on a specific issue.
1. Napoleon overthrew the Government (1799)
• 3,000,000 Approved
•
3,000 Disapproved
2. Napoleon was named Emperor (1804)
• 3,500,000 Approved
•
2,600 Disapproved
He used rhetoric of Revolution to “legitimize” his
actions, but gave people very little choice.
Concordat
(Between Napoleon & Pope in 1801)
Pope Pius VII
1. France reverted back to “old”
calendar.
2. Catholicism was the “preferred
religion” of France.
3. Catholic Church could control
primary education.
4. Church leaders had to take
loyalty oaths to the
government.
• This was VERY popular in France.
Napoleonic Code
(1804)
1. Established equality
under the law and
abolished privileges
based on birth.
2. Individuals may choose
their own occupations.
3. Father’s absolute
authority over family
was restored.
French coin minted in honor
of the Napoleon’s Code
Education Reforms
• Local churches controlled
primary education: open
to boys & girls.
• Established Lycées (high
schools): public
education system to train
public servants.
• Established university of
France
Limits To Reforms
1. No Freedom of the Press (only four statecontrolled newspapers in Paris by 1811).
2. Political opposition was crushed.
• Secret Police
French Empire
1. Napoleon’s Goal:
• Control all of Europe
• Paris = Capital
• Society based on Napoleonic Code
2. How to pay…?
• Sold Louisiana to US for $15,000,000
3. Successes…
• Skilled leader
• Conscription/Draft
Conscription/Draft
(Permanent Service Was Expected)
1. Each community was
required to provide a
“quota” of soldiers to fight.
2. A Draft Lottery was
conducted.
3. Those “drafted” had to
serve or hire a substitute.
• Demonstrates Napoleon’s TOTAL POWER!
Coalition Against France
• A coalition was formed to fight France
– Great Britain, Prussia, Austria & Russia—
Spain
Russian Invasion
(1812)
1. Napoleon gathered his “Grand Army”
– 600,000 troops vs. 160,000 Russians
2. France successfully attacked in July; Russians
retreated (scorched-earth policy).
3. French occupied Moscow, but were overextended
& retreated; only 100,000 Grand Army troops
remained.
• MAJOR mistake & led to his downfall!
Assumption Cathedral-1479
(Where Tsars were crowned; Napoleon kept horses
here)
Impact of Napoleonic Invasion
• 1812 Memorial Arch
recognizes the defeat
of Napoleon.
Napoleon’s Fall
• France was invaded & defeated in 1814.
• He returned for “100 Days” in 1815.
• He died in 1821 on the Island of St. Helena.
Napoleon’s Legacy
1.
His reforms created
opportunity for millions.
2. France was devastated
physically & economically;
hundreds of thousands died.
3. Influenced modern leaders:
• Used military force to
gain power and backed it
up with rhetoric of
Revolution.
Overall, was his legacy positive or negative for
the people of France?
Napoleon: Reformer Or Conqueror?
(1799-1815)
I. Intro: Background
& “The Man”
•
II. Reformer
•
A. Reforms
•
B. Limits
•
III. Conqueror
•
A. Empire
•
• Draft
•
B. Coalition
C. Fall
IV. Legacy…?
Key Terms
Plebiscite
Concordat
Napoleonic Code
Lycées
Conscription
Russian Invasion
Grand Army