YOUR MISSION:
 Put the events listed below in the proper chronological order on a timeline, with
a short explanation of each event.
 Where appropriate, explain the significance of these events for Napoleon’s life.
 You may do either a PowerPoint presentation or a poster.
 Be creative, use pictures or whatever else that will help to illustrate Napoleon’s
life.
 Use your textbook, library books, the Internet and whatever other sources you
can find.
 Be sure to write this in your own words. I am not asking for a bibliography but
you may include one if you wish.
 You may work alone or in pairs.
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birth of Napoleon
death of Napoleon
“a whiff of grape-shot”
Napoleon becomes head of the
French state, establishes the
consulate
Concordat
The Napoleonic Code (list the
main features)
“Emperor of the French”
“First Consul for Life”
“Continental System”
Congress of Vienna
Waterloo
Trafalgar
St. Helena
Elba
EVALUATION: see rubric
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Treaty of Lunéville
Treaty of Amiens
Treaty of Tilsit
battles of Jena and Auerstadt
campaign in Italy
campaign in Egypt
Napoleon beats Spanish armies
campaign in Russia
defeat at Leipzig in the Battle of
Nations
becomes officer in French
artillery
becomes a General in the French
Army
Allies enter France
First Treaty of Paris
Second Treaty of Paris
1. birth of Napoleon: August 5, 1769: Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio,
Corsica.and was given the name Napoleone (in French his name became Napoleon
Bonaparte). He was the second of eight children of Carlo (Charles) Buonaparte and Letizia
Ramolino Buonaparte, both of the Corsican-Italian gentry. No Buonaparte had ever been a
professional soldier. Carlo was a lawyer who had fought for Corsican independence, but
after the French occupied the island in 1768, he served as a prosecutor and judge and
entered the French aristocracy as a count.
2. becomes officer in French artillery: Through his father’s influence, Napoleon was
educated at the expense of King Louis XVI, at Brienne and the École Militaire, in Paris.
Napoleon graduated in 1785, at the age of 16, and joined the artillery as a second lieutenant.
December 1793: Napoleon successfully defeated the British ships at Toulon and was
promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
3. becomes a General in the French Army: June 13, 1795: Napoleon was promoted to
General of the army de l'Ouest and immediately went on leave. Bonaparte was made
commander of the French army in Italy. He defeated four Austrian generals in succession,
each with superior numbers, and forced Austria and its allies to make peace. The Treaty of
Campo Formio provided that France keep most of its conquests. In northern Italy he
founded the Cisalpine (Italian) Republic (later known as the kingdom of Italy) and
strengthened his position in France by sending millions of francs worth of treasure to the
government. October 26, 1795: Bonaparte became commander in chief.
4. “a whiff of grape-shot”: October 5, 1795: After being asked by Barras, he played a part
in the suppression of the Royalist insurrection against the Convention. He saved the
revolutionary government by dispersing an insurgent mob in Paris. Napoleon ordered
artillery fire directly into the mob. This incident took place near a church and became
known as the “whiff of grape-shot.”
5. campaign in Italy: March 11, 1796: Bonaparte left for the Italian Campaign. April 1796:
Napoleon scored victories at Montenotte and Mondovi, and an armistice of Cherasco. May
1796: Napoleon scored another victory at Lodi and entered Milan. August 1796: Yet
another victory at Castiglione. September 1796: Napoleon seemed unstoppable as he scored
another victory at Bassano. November 1796: Napoleon scored another victory at Arcole.
January 1797: Victory at Rivoli. February 1797: Capitulation of Mantua. April 1797: Italy
had enough, and the preliminary Peace of Leoben was signed. October 17, 1797: The
Treaty of Campo-Formio was signed between France and Italy. December 5, 1797:
Bonaparte returned to Paris as a hero.
6. campaign in Egypt: May 19, 1798: Bonaparte set sail for Egypt. June 11, 1798: Napoleon
captured Malta. In July 1798, to strike at British trade with the East, he led an expedition to
Turkish-ruled Egypt, which he conquered: Bonaparte took Alexandria, won the Battle of the
Pyramids, and entered Cairo. August 1, 1798: British admiral Horatio Nelson destroyed the
French fleet at Aboukir in the Battle of the Nile, leaving him stranded. Undaunted, he
reformed the Egyptian government and law, abolishing serfdom and feudalism and
guaranteeing basic rights. The French scholars he had brought with him began the scientific
study of ancient Egyptian history. They found the Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering
hieroglyphics. In 1799 he failed to capture Syria, but he won a smashing victory over the
Turks at Ab Qr (Abukir). France, meanwhile, faced a new coalition; Austria, Russia, and
lesser powers had allied with Britain. March 7, 1799: Napoleon took Jaffa. March 1799:
The siege of Saint John d'Acre began. May 1799: After eight unsuccessful attacks on Saint
John d'Acre, Bonaparte decided to lift the siege. June 14, 1799: Bonaparte was once again
in Cairo. July 25, 1799: Bonaparte was victorious at Aboukir. August 1799: Napoleon left
Egypt for Paris. October 16, 1799: Bonaparte arrived in Paris.
7. Napoleon becomes head of the French state, establishes the consulate:
Bonaparte, no modest soul, decided to leave his army and return to save France. On
November 9-10, 1799: Napoleon participated in a coup d’etat that overthrew the Directory.
In Paris, he joined a conspiracy against the government. In the coup d’etat of November 910, 1799 (18-19 Brumaire), he and his colleagues seized power and established a new
regime—the Consulate.
8. Treaty of Lunéville: February 9, 1801: Treaty of Lunéville signed. In the spring of 1800
Napoleon led a French army across the Alps and attacked the Austrian rear. Austria was
compelled to negotiate after Napoleon’s victory at Marengo in Italy and the victory of
French general Jean-Victor Moreau at Hohenlinden on the German front. Austria left the
Coalition after the Treaty of Lunéville on Feb. 1, 1801, under which Austria conceded the
left bank of the Rhine and the Austrian Netherlands to France. This Treaty was a renewal of
the earlier, Treaty of Campo Formio, which secured France's defeat of Austria and right to
administer Italian lands independent of Austria's will. This treaty also ended the Second
Coalition.
9. Concordat: July 15, 1801: Napoleon concluded an agreement with the pope (the Concordat
of 1801), which contributed to French domestic tranquillity by ending the quarrel with the
Roman Catholic church that had arisen during the Revolution. In France the administration
was reorganized, the court system was simplified, and all schools were put under centralized
control.
10. Treaty of Amiens: March 25, 1802: Treaty of Amiens was signed with England. The
only year of peace during Napoleon's reign. After the collapse of the Second Coalition,
even Britain sought a grudging peace under the Treaty of Amiens on Mar. 27, 1802. This
settlement gave England control of the seas but left the French victories on the continent
intact. For the first time in a decade Europe enjoyed peace. England restored all conquests
except Ceylon and Trinidad and the French had to evacuate Naples and Rome.
11. “First Consul for Life”: The constitution was revised in 1802 to make Bonaparte
consul for life. The Consulate, composed of 3 consuls, was really a dictatorship disguised
as a democratic republic. Under its constitution, Bonaparte, as first consul, had almost
dictatorial powers.
12. “Emperor of the French”: May 18, 1804: The constitution was revised and Napoleon
Bonaparte was proclaimed the French Emperor. Each change received the overwhelming
assent of the electorate. December 2, 1804: Napoleon's coronation took place. Napoleon
became hereditary “Emperor of the French” on May 18, 1804 by crowning himself, a
departure from tradition. The pope was officiating but Napoleon took the crown from the
pope’s hands and placed it on his head himself – in response the pope left before the
ceremony was completed. The ceremony took place at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
rather than at Rheims, where the kings of France were crowned, because Napoleon wanted
to be regarded as the successor of Charlemagne, king of the Franks
13. The Napoleonic Code (list the main features): On 21 March, 1804 French law was
standardized in the Code Napoléon, or civil code, and six other codes. They guaranteed the
rights and liberties won in the Revolution, including equality before the law and freedom of
religion. In all the new kingdoms created by the emperor, the Code Napoléon was
established as law. Feudalism and serfdom were abolished, and freedom of religion
established (except in Spain). Each state was granted a constitution, providing for universal
male suffrage and a parliament and containing a bill of rights. French-style administrative
and judicial systems were required. Schools were put under centralized administration, and
free public schools were envisioned. Higher education was opened to all who qualified,
regardless of class or religion. Every state had an academy or institute for the promotion of
the arts and sciences. Incomes were provided for eminent scholars, especially scientists.
Constitutional government remained only a promise, but progress and increased efficiency
were widely realized. Not until after Napoleon’s fall did the common people of Europe,
alienated from his governments by war taxes and military conscription, fully appreciate the
benefits he had given them.
The Napoleonic Code established:
o legal uniformity
o equality before the law
o the sanctity of private property
o the authority of the male head of the family
o religious toleration
o the right to choose one’s own profession
o abolition of serfdom and primogeniture
On the reactionary side The Napoleonic Code:
o Prohibited trade unions
o Permitted the imprisonment of adolescent children by their fathers
o Denied illegitimate children rights accorded those who were legitimate
o Increased the penalties for political crimes
14. Trafalgar: October 21, 1805: The Franco-Spanish invasion fleet was destroyed at
Trafalgar. On Oct. 21, 1805, Britain’s Lord Nelson defeated the combined Spanish-French
fleet off Cape Trafalgar, Spain. At this time, Austria, Russia, and Sweden had joined Great
Britain to form the Third Coalition.
15. battles of Jena and Auerstadt: 14th October 1806: victories at Iéna and Auerstädt.
Napoleon had established the Confederation of the Rhine, a federal union of Bavaria,
Baden, Würtemberg and thirteen lesser states, of which Napoleon acted as a protector. This
departure of sixteen German states led the Emperor of Austria to acknowledge the
dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, leaving him with only the title of Francis I, Emperor
of Austria. This action provoked the Prussian army to declare war on France on Oct. 1,
1806. The Prussian army, led by the incompetent Duke of Brunswick, had deteriorated
badly since the days of Frederick the Great and was no match for Napoleon’s seasoned
troops. Outmanoeuvred and outgunned, the Prussian forces were humiliated at the twin
battles of Jena and Auerstadt on Oct. 14. Napoleon marched into Berlin and occupied it on
Oct. 25, while the Prussian king, Frederick William III, fled to Königsberg in the east where
he tried unsuccessfully to continue the struggle. Napoleon reduced him to little more than a
puppet, reduced Prussia’s army to 42,000 men, and took away half of Prussia’s territory and
population. The portion of Poland owned by Prussia was made into the Grand Duchy of
Warsaw.
16. “Continental System”: November 21, 1806: Napoleon established the Continental
System, a French-imposed blockade of Europe against British goods, designed to bankrupt
what he called the “nation of shopkeepers.” In 1807 Napoleon seized Portugal. In 1808, he
made his brother Joseph king of Spain, awarding Naples to his brother-in-law, Joachim
Murat. Joseph’s arrival in Spain touched off a rebellion there, which became known as the
Peninsular War. Napoleon appeared briefly and scored victories, but after his departure the
fighting continued for five years, with the British backing Spanish armies and guerrillas.
The Peninsular War cost France 300,000 casualties and untold sums of money and
contributed to the eventual weakening of the Napoleonic empire.
17. Treaty of Tilsit: July 7, 1807: Tilsit is the name of two treaties signed at the East
Prussian town of Tilsit (now Sovetsk, Russia), between France and Prussia (July 9), ending
the War of the Third Coalition. The Treaty of Tilsit was signed between Napoleon and
Alexander I in a boat in the middle of a lake. The King of Prussia waited for them on the
shore. Preliminary discussions were held by Napoleon of France and Alexander I, emperor
of Russia, during a famous meeting on a raft on the Memel River (now Niemen River), on
June 25, 1807. The meeting took place following the defeat of Russia by France in the
Battle of Friedland on June 14, 1807. After an inconclusive battle with the Russians at
Eylau, and a victory over them at Friedland in June 1807, Tsar Alexander I asked for an
armistice. By the Treaty of Tilsit, Russia dropped out of the Coalition and Russia and
France divided Europe in an acknowledgement by Russia of the territorial gains Napoleon
had already made. In return, Russia was given a dominant hand in eastern Europe,
acquiring Finland, Sweden, and Turkey, and Prussia was divided between France and
Russia. In response for not asking for any Russian territory, the only thing Napoleon asked
was that the Tsar pledge to cease trade with Britain and secretly join Napoleon’s war against
Britain. The signing of the Treaty of Tilsit marked the pinnacle of Napoleon’s fortunes.
18. campaign in Russia: 1810 - 1812: After beginning his attack of Russia, Napoleon
entered Moscow. France had invaded Russia in the attempts to restore the Polish state. The
Russian just kept on retreating, denying Napoleon any decisive victories. October 1812:
Napoleon decided to leave Moscow. December 5, 1812: Napoleon left the retreating army
so he could get to Paris faster. The invasion marked a turning point in the Napoleonic Wars.
The war resulted in the reduction of the French and other allied invaders strength. The
invasion is commonly referred to as the Patriotic War in Russia. This war was at a time
when Napoleon was at a the height of his power and many European countries did not dare
go against France.
19. Napoleon beats Spanish armies: February 1808: Murat was appointed as Napoleon's
lieutenant-general in Spain. May 1808: An uprising in Madrid against the French presence
occurred. Charles IV of Spain abdicated. June 1808: Joseph was made king of Spain and
Murat replaced him as king of Naples. June 20, 1808: Joseph entered Madrid. December 4,
1808: Madrid surrendered before Napoleon. Spain joined the Third Coalition in 1808 and
remained in it until Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1814. A savage guerrilla war broke
out in Spain against the French troops sent to impose Napoleon’s brother on the throne of
the Spanish Bourbons. The French shot, hanged, and impaled the guerrillas, who in turn
hacked away at the French with improvised weapons, led by nobles, priests and brigands.
The revolt became known as the “Spanish ulcer” and was as much against the ideas of the
French as the French themselves. Guerrilla bands poisoned wells, ambushed small isolated
units, raided convoys and outposts, and then disappeared into the mountains. Napoleon was
unable to fully subdue Spain, and the Spanish, aided by a British expeditionary force, ate
away at his control of Spain. The Peninsular War, as it was called by the British, dragged
on until 1814, drained Napoleon’s treasury, and tied down 400,000 French troops.
20. defeat at Leipzig in the Battle of Nations: October 19, 1813: French armies lost
the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig and Germany was lost by the Empire. The Battle of
Leipzig was also known as the Battle of the Nations. It lasted three days and was between
Russia, Prussia, and Sweden against the Napoleon’s armies. It was a gruesome battle that
left 100,000 people dead. On the third day of battle, Napoleon was surrounded and was
forced to retreat.
21. Allies enter France: March 30-31, 1814: In March of 1814, there was a Campaign for
France. The Allies wanted to restrict France’s borders. Napoleon did not agree to terms set
by Allied powers and war broke out as a result. Napoleon was out-numbered, leaving him
desperate. Paris fell as Napoleon went for a desperate gamble and he later surrendered to
the Allies. April 4, 1814: Napoleon abdicated.
22. Elba: April 6, 1814: Napoleon's unconditional abdication took place. After Napoleon’s
surrender to Allied governments, he was exiled to Elba. 22. May 1814: Napoleon set sail for
the island of Elba. Elba was an island in Italy and was only 20 km. long. At Elba,
Napoleon got the title of “Emperor of Elba” and enjoyed reforming the government system
and reestablishing the economy on the island. Napoleon promoted road construction and
modernized agriculture. Napoleon also knew the importance of public support and so he
flattered the bourgeoisie by giving out invitations to his court. Napoleon had a thousand
men as personal escorts and staff for his household. However, overall he did not
accomplish much on the island because his greed overtook him and he pocketed much of the
wealth that was coming in. Napoleon also started planning his return to France and he later
escaped off the island.
23. First Treaty of Paris: June 30, 1814: Treaty of Paris was signed between France and
the Coalition. Louis XVIII proclaimed king of France, and France reverted to her 1792
borders. The First Treaty of Paris was intended end the war between France and other
European countries (such as Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Sweden). The Treaty
made France give up territory back to Britain. It abolished the slave trade in France and it
gave independency to Switzerland. The whole point of the Treaty was to bring peace and
protection for the European Nations.
24. Congress of Vienna: November 1, 1814: Congress of Vienna assembled to redraw the
map of Europe. The Congress of Vienna was made up of Britain, Austria, Russia, and
Prussia. The Congress wanted to sort out problems and create a new peaceful way to bring
stability back to Europe. However, the Congress of Vienna was unsuccessful with dealing
with liberalism and nationalism in Europe at the time, therefore helping Napoleon to attempt
a comeback.
25. Waterloo: February 26, 1815: Napoleon succeeded in a daring escape from Elba.
March 20, 1815: Ready to start another empire, Napoleon arrived in Paris. June 16, 1815:
Victory at Ligny. After Napoleon’s escape from Elba, Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, and
Spain combined together once again to defeat Napoleon for the last time. June 18, 1815:
Napoleon lost at the Battle of Waterloo. June 22, 1815: Napoleon abdicated for the second
time. The Battle of Waterloo was Napoleon’s last battle and is what ultimately contributed
to his final downfall. Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo because the Allied Armies were
far more skilled and powerful. Mistakes in leadership and communication was also a major
factor in what led to the French defeat.
26. St. Helena: October 16, 1815: Napoleon arrived on the island of Saint Helena for his
second, and final, exile. After Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, he was exiled for the second
time to St. Helena. St. Helena was a small island under British control. St. Helena was half
the size of Elba (the first place Napoleon was exiled too). Napoleon spent his time on the
island complaining of his treatment and writing about his life. St. Helena later became
Napoleon’s final resting place.
27. Second Treaty of Paris: November 20, 1815: A second Treaty of Paris was signed
between France and the Coalition. Second Treaty of Paris provisions were essentially the
same as the first. The Second Treaty of Paris was signed by Britain, Austria, Russia, and
Prussia . The Treaty reduced France’s boundaries even more than then the First Treaty of
Paris did. France was also forced to pay hundred of millions of dollars because of war
damages induced by the Napoleonic Wars.
28. death of Napoleon: May 5, 1821: Napoleon died on St. Helena at the age of fifty-one.
He was able to confess his sins before his death. Lots of controversy surrounds Napoleon’s
death. Napoleon might have died because of stomach cancer or he could have been a victim
of arsenic poisoning. It is now believed he was poisoned by arsenic in the wallpaper.
Presentation,
Creativity and Style
(Application)
Communicating Ideas
(Communication)
0
1
2
3
4
0
1
2
3
4
LEVEL 1
LEVEL 2
LEVEL 3
5
6
7
displays an
understanding of few
historical events or
concepts
0
Below
Expectations
0
1
2
3
4
Below
Expectations
Depth of Research
(Thinking/ Inquiry)
0
1
2
3
4
Below
Expectations
Knowledge of History
(Knowledge/
Understanding)
Below
Expectations
CRITERIA
5
rarely gives complete
explanations & analysis
of the main points of
the timeline, some
events missing
5
lack of colour, little or
no attention to detail,
little or no accuracy,
few or no pictures
5
rarely explains ideas
with clarity and
precision, numerous
grammatical and/or
spelling errors
displays an
understanding of some
historical events or
concepts
6
occasionally gives
complete explanations
& analysis of the main
points of the timeline
6
some use of colour &
design, some attention
to detail, timeline
labelled appropriately,
a few pictures
6
occasionally explains
ideas with clarity and
precision, occasional
grammatical and/or
spelling errors
displays an
understanding of most
historical events or
concepts
LEVEL 4
8
8
8
10
9
10
excellent use of colour
& design, excellent
attention to detail,
labelling is carefully &
accurately done, many
relevant pictures
7
usually explains ideas
with clarity and
precision, minor
grammatical and/or
spelling errors
9
consistently gives
complete, relevant
explanations & analysis
of all of the main points
of the timeline
7
good use of colour &
design, good attention
to detail, labelling is
accurately done, some
relevant pictures
10
displays an
understanding of all
historical events or
concepts
7
usually gives complete
explanations & analysis
of the main points of
the timeline
9
8
9
10
consistently explains
ideas with clarity and
precision, almost no
grammatical and/or
spelling errors
NAME: __________________________________ NAME: __________________________