Chapter 6 - The French Revolution and Napoleon

Section 4 – The Age of Napoleon Begins

Napoleon Bonaparte I (1769-1821) Emperor of France

Setting the Scene

Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica, a French-ruled island in the Mediterranean. His family were minor nobles, but had little money. At age nine, he was sent to France to be trained for a military career. When the revolution broke out, he was an ambitious 20-year-old lieutenant, eager to make a name for himself.

I. Napoleon’s Rise to PowerDuring the revolution, Napoleon rose quickly after winning major battles against the British and Austrians

I. Napoleon’s Rise to PowerIn 1799, he helped overthrow the Directory and set up a three-man government known as the Consulate

A portrait of the three Consuls (between 1799 and 1804 ), with Napoleon in the center

I. Napoleon’s Rise to PowerBy 1804, Napoleon had acquired enough power to assume the title Emperor of France

Napoleon on His Imperial Throne by Jean Auguste Dominique

Ingres (1806)

II. France Under NapoleonNapoleon consolidated his power by strengthening the central government

"A Grateful France Proclaims Napoleon the First Emperor of the French"

II. France Under NapoleonNapoleon controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built roads and canals

II. France Under NapoleonHe made peace with the Catholic Church in the Concordat of 1801, recognizing religious freedom for Catholics

Vers le retour à la paix religieuse Towards the return to religious peace

II. France Under NapoleonNapoleon's most lasting reform was a new law code, which became known as the Napoleonic Code

III. Building an EmpireFrom 1804 to 1814, Napoleon won many battles and created an empire

III. Building an EmpireIn 1805, Napoleon tried to invade England but his fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Trafalgar

III. Building an EmpireNapoleon waged economic warfare through the Continental System, which closed European ports to British goods

Section 5 - The End of an EraNapoleon watched the battle for the Russian city of Smolensk from a chair outside his tent. As fires lit up the walled city, he exclaimed: "It's like Vesuvius erupting. Don't you think this is a beautiful sight?“ "Horrible, Sire," replied an aide."Bah!" snorted Napoleon. "Remember, gentlemen, what a Roman emperor said: The corpse of an enemy always smells sweet“ In 1812, Napoleon pursued his dream of empire by invading Russia. The campaign began a chain of events that eventually led to his downfall. Napoleon's final defeat brought an end to the era of the French Revolution.

I. Challenges to Napoleon's EmpireMany Europeans saw Napoleon’s armies as foreign oppressors

Napoleon and his Staff

I. Challenges to Napoleon's Empire

They resented the Continental System and Napoleon's effort to impose French culture

Napoleon in His Study by Jacques-Louis David,

1812

I. Challenges to Napoleon's EmpireThroughout Europe, nationalism unleashed revolts against France

I. Challenges to Napoleon's EmpireIn 1812 the czar of Russia withdrew from the Continental System and Napoleon responded by invading

French in Moscow, 1812 (Artist unknown)

I. Challenges to Napoleon's EmpireThe Russians retreated, burning crops and villages as they went - the "scorched earth" policy

I. Challenges to Napoleon's EmpireNapoleon entered Moscow in September, but because he couldn’t supply his army through the winter, began his withdraw in October

Napoleon's retreat from Moscow (Adolph Northern)

II. Downfall of NapoleonIn 1813, Napoleon was defeated in the Battle of the Nations at Leipzig. He abdicated and was sent into exile

II. Downfall of NapoleonLouis XVIII returned as king of France, but many remained loyal to Napoleon

Louis XVIII, King of France (1814–24)

II. Downfall of NapoleonIn March 1815, Louis XVIII fled as Napoleon returned to Paris in triumph

II. Downfall of NapoleonOn June 18,1815, the French were defeated at the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon was again forced into exile

III. The Congress of ViennaEuropean leaders met at the Congress of Vienna to restore stability and order

The Great Powers of Europe met at Vienna from September 1, 1814, to June 9, 1815 to settle the future boundaries of the continent