The Rise & Fall of Napoleon

The Rise & Fall of Napoleon 1799-1815 Napoleon Bonaparte • 1769-born in Corsica • Sent to military school in France, at the age of 9 • Joins army of the National Assembly • Becomes general of the French Army by Directory in 1796. • “savior of the Republic” after successful cannonade to ward off conservatives Two important early battles • 1796 the Directory sent Napoleon against Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia • Across the Alps • Won a series of battles, eliminating Austrian Threat • He led army into Egypt • To protect trade interests • Disrupt British/Indian trade • Navel forces defeated by British general • Horatio Nelson • He was able to keep this out of the press in order to protect his image Coup d'état • Coup d'état- “blow of state” • November 9, 1799 Napoleon put in charge of the military by the Directory • November 10 uses that military to drive out members of one chamber of the national legislature. • Why? • Believed the Directory was corrupt & not interested in promoting the betterment of French welfare • Also lost confidence of the people Dissolves the Directory French Consulate • Three Consuls instated • 3 leaders called Consuls • 1st Consul- Napoleon Bonaparte • 2nd Consul- Napoleon’s brother Lucien Bonaparte • 3rd Consul-former Director- Sieyes • Napoleon drafts a new constitution • naming him as 1st consul of France The 2nd Coalition of anti-French Powers • Britain, Austrian & Russian agreement to drive Napoleon from power • Eventually all three sign a peace agreement, with France • Through Diplomacy and War Europe at peace for the 1st time in 10 years!! Napoleon’s Rule of France • 1800 plebiscite- vote of the people on specific questions • 1800- plebiscite votes YES-1st Consul of France • 1802-plebiscite votes YES-1st Consul of France for life Why would the French people vote to give power back to a single ruler? • 1804-plebiscite votes YES- EMPEROR OF FRANCE They were desperate for strong leader who could provide order and stability. Napoleon's Coronation December 2, 1804 Napoleon’s Coronation at Notre Dame Cathedral He crowns himself -big controversy-WHY?? Restoring Order in France • • • • Restores order & stability to France Although he was Emperor he did not return to the days of King Louis XVI Kept many of the changes achieved by the revolution Reforms focused on 4 areas • Economy • Society • Religion • Laws Economic Changes • 1st priority was to get the economy on solid ground • Established a National Bank • Efficient tax collection system • Which assured govn’t a steady income • Balanced budget • Paid off debt • Sold Louisiana Territory • To whom? • What was it called? • Who explored it? The United States The Louisiana Purchase, 1803 Lewis & Clarke Benefits of Selling Louisiana Territory • Earned Napoleon $15 million that he could spending on conquest of Europe. • Increased power of U.S., creating rival for Britain “who sooner or later, will humble her pride.” Social Changes • • • • Wanted to reduce government corruption & improve services Welcomed émigrés (nobles) back on good behavior Promoted officials by merit not nobility Set up Lycees (public schools) • Both ordinary citizens & nobility Religious Changes • Signed CONCORDAT (agreement) with Pope Pius VII • New relationship b/w church and state • Separated church from national affairs • Allowed freedom of religion • Promoted Catholicism as “great majority” and “true” religion of France • Eliminated any political control of Pope Legal Changes • Established the Napoleonic Code of Laws • • • • • Set of 101 new laws establishing strong sense of law and order • Many laws still in use today Equality under the law Censured newspapers Reduced women’s rights • Right to sell property Restored slavery in French Colonies He believed this was his greatest work!! October, 1805 Napoleon’s Only Major Defeat Battle of Trafalgar The Battle of Trafalgar • British commander Horatio Nelson defends large Spanish-French fleet • What did this mean for France? • British navy remained Supreme for the next 100 years • Forces Napoleon to give up plans of invading Britain Complete PKT pg. 35 Death of Lord Nelson December, 1805 Battle of Austerlitz • One of Napoleon’s greatest victories. • Defeated armies of Russia and Austria. • Austria made peace with France and lost territory as a result. Read and complete pkt. Pg. 38 Napoleon’s Empire At Its Peak, 1807-1812 • Largest empire in Europe since the Roman Empire • What were the only major countries not under Napoleon’s control ? ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ ➢ Britain Portugal Sweden Ottoman Empire Russia Decline and Fall of Napoleon’s Empire • French empire was huge but unstable. • Short-lived. Only lasted for five years (1807-1812). • Quickly collapsed due to three costly mistakes made by Napoleon. The Collapses of Napoleon’s Empire • Napoleon’s conquests aroused nationalism in France & across Europe • Empowered France as well as it’s enemies • Napoleon’s love of power was a contributing factor to his ultimate downfall • “I love power, as a musician loves his violin” • Three Costly Mistakes • The Continental System • The Peninsular War • The Invasion of Russia The Continental System ~ 1806 • Unsuccessful attempt to cut off all trade, called a blockade, between Britain & the rest of the European continent. • Intended to destroy Britain’s economy • Why did it fail ? • Smugglers • European countries disregarded it • Britain imposed it’s own blockade, and had a stronger Navy to enforce it • Blockade hurt France more than it helped • War of 1812 • Between Britain & U.S. over blockade imposed on France • Ended in draw • Minor inconvenience for Britain The Peninsula Wars~1808 • Napoleon sent his armies through Spain to invade Portugal. Why? They were ignoring the Continental System • Deposed Spanish king and put brother on the throne, inflaming Nationalist feelings throughout Spain. • Nationalist feelings were spreading all across Europe • Five year Peninsula War (1808-1813) against Spanish guerrillas and British forces drove Napoleon’s troops out of Spain. • Napoleon lost 300,000 men, weakening the French empire . The Invasion of Russia~1812 The Biggest Mistake of All • Napoleon was convinced that Russia Tsar Alexander I was conspiring with Britain against him. • And breaking the Continental System • Invaded Russia June, 1812. • Against the advise of Many • Napoleon’s armies included many nonFrench draftees with little loyalty to him. The Biggest Mistake  Russian strategy? Russian armies retreated towards Moscow, practicing “scorched earth” policy. Finally get to Moscow, but… • Napoleon entered Moscow on Sept. 14 to find the city in flames. • Napoleon’s fatal mistake? • Waited fatal five weeks in Moscow for peace offer from Russia czar that never came. • Mid-Oct.: Ordered starving armies to turn back -but it was too late… Battle of Borodino September 7, 1812 30,000 French Deaths 45,000 Russian Deaths Approx 450,000 troops ~ April 1812 Approx 170,000 troops ~ Why, So few? Sept 1812 ?? Importance?? Moscow ~ approx 100,000 troops Moscow burned, resources lost Napoleon's Withdrawal from Russia by Adolph Northen Nov. 1812 Smolensk, finds starvation & disease. Crossing the Berezina River Dec 6 1812 only 10,000 make it out of Russia -30° -20° Oct 1812 no surrender from Russia, Retreats w/ 100,000 troops Napoleon’s Defeat, 1813 • Napoleon’s enemies now Unite against him. • AGAIN • Britain, Russia, Prussia, join Austria, and Sweden coalition against France • 4th Coalition . • In Battle of Leipzig, Germany (Oct.1813) Napoleon’s army is crushed by Allies. • army of inexperienced, unmotivated soldiers Napoleon’s Defeat • By January 1814 Austrian, Russian & Prussian armies push into Paris • Napoleon wants to fight but generals refuse • April napoleon abdicated throne to Russian Czar Alexander I • Napoleon banished to Elba • Island of the coast of Italy Island of Elba Not a bad place to be Exiled ?? France’s Bourbon king • Louis XVIII (brother to Louis XVI) • Crowned king of France • Very unpopular • Suspected of wanting to undo reforms of the Revolution • All the motivation Napoleon needed to regain his throne What about Louis XVII?? Napoleon Regains Power, 1815 • Escapes Elba with 7 ships and a small army • He rallied the French people and regained control of the army • “you will be liberators of you country” • Reinstated as Emperor • Brother fled • Reigned for 100 Days Napoleon landing in France • Complete pkt. Pg. 42 Napoleon at Waterloo The Battle at Waterloo • European powers quickly gathered their armies against Napoleon. • Duke of Wellington commanded the British Army, joined by Prussian Army defeated Napoleon in the Belgium town of Waterloo • Wellington later became Prime Minister Duke of Wellington Napoleon’s Final Defeat: The Battle of Waterloo Battle of Waterloo (5:00) See PBS segment on Waterloo (12:00) Napoleon Exiled Again, 1825 • St. Helen’s in the South Atlantic • Died of a stomach ailment (possibly cancer) six years later Napoleon on St. Helena, 1815-1821 PBS segment on St. Helena (start at 5:55) Napoleon’s Legacy • Military genius and brilliant administrator, but… • His military victories must be measured against the millions of lives lost in his wars. • Only real lasting achievements were non-military: • Napoleonic Code and other government reforms. “He was as great as a man can be without virtue.” -Alexis de Tocqueville French Statesman and writer Napoleon’s Legacy • Napoleon’s conquests aroused feelings of Nationalism across Europe. • His defeat opened the door to the establishment of a new order in Europe – established at the Congress of Vienna in 1815-1816. Views on Napoleon • Complete Packet pages 44-47. • Is he a Hero or a Villain? • What were the lasting effects of Napoleon’s rule? • Napoleon Political Cartoon Assignment Can we? • Explain how the French Revolution led eventually to the rise of Napoleon. • Explain how Napoleon’s rule led to war in Europe. • Analyze how the French Revolution and Napoleon led to revolutions in Europe and Latin America.