Napoleon Bonaparte
Background
• Born on island of Corsica, off the coast of
Italy
• Sent to military school at a young age
• Led defense of National Convention
delegates in 1795, hailed as savior of
French Republic
• 1796 appointed by Directory to lead army
into battle in Italy
Napoleon Seizes Power
• 1799, Directory had
lost control.
Napoleon used his
army to stage a coup
d’etat—violent
overthrow of the govt
• Named First Counsel
• Britain, Austria, and
Russia quickly joined
to try to overthrow
Napoleon
Legitimacy
• 1800—plebiscite (vote of
people) strongly
supported Napoleon—
wanted strong leadership
• Kept many of the
revolutionary changes
• Strengthened economy
• Got rid of corrupt officials
• Set up lycees, govt run
schools
• Improved public services
Changes Instituted
• Signed Concordat, an
agreement with
Catholic Church,
giving some rights
and power back to
Church, pleased
many
• Established
Napoleonic Code—
established uniform
laws, but limited some
individual liberty
Napoleon the Emperor
• Crowned himself
Emperor in 1804—
attempt to show
himself more powerful
than the church
Empire Building
• Wanted to control Europe and parts of U.S.
• After loss of Haiti, sold Louisiana Territory to
U.S. to finance operations ($15 M)
• Set out to conquer Europe
• Successful in battles (Austerlitz)
• Forced other rulers to sign peace treaties
• By 1812, controlled most of Europe
Napoleon’s Errors
• Set up blockade to cut
Britain off (Continental
System)—intended to
hurt Britain, since he
couldn’t beat them
• Allies refused to follow
• Britain successfully
overcame
• Proved to be his downfall
Errors, cont.
• Peninsular War—
invasion force sent
through Spain to
Portugal—angered
Spain & Catholics
• Napoleon replaced
Spanish king with his
brother
• Resulted in guerrilla
war, very costly
Errors, cont.
• Invasion of Russia—
1812
• Russians employed
scorched earth
policy—left nothing
behind
• Russian winter
destroyed Napoleon’s
army, along with
Russian attacks
during French retreat
Downfall
• After Russia, he had far
fewer troops, and army
was inexperienced
• Defeated at Leipzig,
opponents captured Paris
• April 1814, surrendered
and gave up throne
• Exiled to Elba
The Hundred Days
• Returned from exile
1815, to much
support, quickly
became Emperor
again
• Final defeat at
Waterloo
• Return to power
lasted 100 days
• Napoleon exiled to St.
Helena, died in 1821