Ch. 4 Sec. 3 & 4 Questions

Joshua Villarreal Mr. Jeans World History CP 10 September 2024 Ch. 4 Sec. 3 & 4 Questions 1. UNDERSTANDING CHANGE: The instability in the French government after the Revolution, particularly during the period of the Directory, opened the door for Napoleon’s rise. The Directory was weak, corrupt, and unable to address France’s economic and social problems. This led to widespread dissatisfaction. Napoleon, a successful and popular military general, seized this opportunity and led a coup, taking control as First Consul and eventually consolidating his power. 2. DETERMINING CONTEXT: Napoleon used the term consul, a title derived from ancient Rome, to describe his new government because it evoked the idea of strong, centralized leadership. The Roman consuls were powerful figures, and by choosing this title, Napoleon aimed to connect his rule to the stability, order, and grandeur of the Roman Republic, positioning himself as a legitimate and authoritative ruler. 3. EXPLAINING ISSUES: Nationalism is a sense of pride and loyalty to one's nation or cultural identity. Initially, Napoleon used nationalism to rally the French people around his cause and expand his empire. However, in the territories he conquered, this same sense of nationalism grew against him, as conquered peoples resented French domination. This resistance, fueled by their own national pride, contributed significantly to Napoleon's eventual downfall, particularly in countries like Russia. 4. COMPARING: Napoleon's achievements include modernizing French law through the Napoleonic Code, reforming the education system, and stabilizing the French economy. He also built a large empire across Europe. Compared to the French Revolution, which sought to establish liberty and equality, Napoleon's accomplishments were more about centralizing power and bringing order. However, they also extended some revolutionary ideas like legal equality across Europe. 1. SUMMARIZING: Napoleon’s downfall began with his failed invasion of Russia in, where harsh conditions destroyed much of his army. Following defeats by a coalition of European powers, he was forced to abdicate and was exiled. After briefly returning to power, he was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo in and exiled to St. Helena. European powers responded by restoring monarchies and forming the Congress of Vienna to maintain balance and prevent future revolutions. 2. EVALUATING: The French Revolution caused widespread fear among European monarchies, as its radical ideas of democracy and equality threatened their power. To prevent further uprisings, Europe reacted with a conservative approach, restoring traditional monarchies and reinforcing the old social order. This return to conservatism aimed to suppress revolutionary movements and maintain stability. 3. IDENTIFYING CONNECTIONS: The principle of interventionism, where powerful nations intervene to prevent revolutions in other countries, is based on conservatism. It seeks to protect traditional institutions like monarchy and prevent the spread of liberal or nationalist ideas that could disrupt the established order. European powers used this idea to suppress uprisings in countries like Spain. 4. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS: Napoleon lost his empire due to a combination of military defeats and growing nationalist resistance in occupied territories. His failed invasion of Russia severely weakened his forces, and a coalition of European powers capitalized on this, defeating him in several battles. Nationalist uprisings in Spain and other areas also eroded his control. Ultimately, he was defeated at Waterloo and forced into permanent exile.