Homework – Napoleon – Adapted from Ch 20 Sect 5 – AGS Textbook
Napoleon Bonaparte was born in 1769 on the small island of Corsica. As a boy, he went to a military school in
France. When he was 16, he joined the king's army. The French Revolution began in 1789. At that time,
Napoleon was a little-known, low-level military officer. But he developed a new military tactic, or plan. He
moved his soldiers quickly, then put most of them at the weakest point of the enemy line.
Soldiers liked to fight for Napoleon. He was a natural leader and helped them win battles against stronger
armies. Within four years, he became a general. (He was only 24.) Six years later, Napoleon took control of
the disorganized government of France. Later, he said, "I found the crown of France lying on the ground, and I
picked it up with a sword."
For the next 15 years, Napoleon ruled France as a military dictator. As time passed, he conquered most of
Europe. His actions dominated European history from 1800 to 1815. Historians call those years the Age of
Napoleon.
1) What years in French history do historians call the Age of Napoleon?
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2) What did Napoleon do before he came to power in France?
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Who Crowned Napoleon As the Emperor?
In 1802, the French people voted to make Napoleon their First Consul for life. More than 3 million people
voted, and only 9,000 of them voted against Napoleon. Then, on December 2, 1804, Pope Pius VII came to
Paris. He waited at the Cathedral of Notre Dame to crown Napoleon emperor of France. Napoleon, dressed in
purple, came into the cathedral. He walked up to the pope, took the crown from him, and placed it on his own
head! Through his own military skill, he had risen to power. Now, by his own hand, he made himself Emperor
Napoleon I.
3) When did Napoleon become the emperor of France?
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4) Napoleon took the crown from the pope and placed it on his own head. Why did Napoleon do this?
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EXTENSIONS – Homework
Why Did Napoleon Invade Russia?
In 1807, Czar Alexander I of Russia had agreed to support the Continental System. But lack of trade
hurt the Russian economy. In 1812, Alexander began to trade with Britain once again. His decision
made Napoleon angry. To punish Russia, Napoleon organized the largest army in history up to that
time. His Grand Army of 500,000 was made up of soldiers from all parts of the French Empire. In May
1812, this army set out to invade Russia.
How Did the Russian Army Fight?
Napoleon thought that he could defeat Russia in a few months. But the Russian army did not want to
fight one big battle. Instead, it kept retreating. As the French army followed, the Russian soldiers
retreated eastward, deeper and deeper into Russia. As they pulled back, the soldiers destroyed
anything that could help Napoleon's invading army. The Russians left behind only burned fields and
houses.
Near Moscow, the French and Russian armies finally met. The French won the battle. But when the
soldiers entered the capital, they found only a burnt-out and deserted city. Once again the Russians
had destroyed food and shelter that Napoleon's army needed.
What Happened When Napoleon Left Russia?
Napoleon sent several messages of peace. However, he heard nothing from the Russians. In
October 1812 - after five weeks of waiting-Napoleon ordered his army to return to France. The Grand
Army had already lost thousands of soldiers. Many had died of disease. Now the soldiers faced a cold
Russian winter without food and warm clothing.
The Russian winter was a hard enemy. As the French army moved slowly westward, thousands of
soldiers died of starvation. Many froze to death. Over 500,000 soldiers had marched boldly into
Russia. Only 40,000- tired and beaten-returned to France. And only 10,000 of them were still able to
fight. Napoleon's retreat from Russia was a military disaster.
What were some of the reasons Napoleon was unsuccessful when invading Russia?
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