French Revolution

Stage Three

I. The Directory

A. A group of men known as the Directory were in charge after the Jacobin lost power

1. Leaders were tired of the terror and sent Robespierre, ironically, to the guillotine 2. The group called the Directory came to power. Under this government, 5 men all led the country. This made decisions difficult 3. The Directors were also corrupt. They enriched themselves at the expense of the government 4. The only SUCCESSFUL thing during the Directory was the military

II. Napoleon A. Napoleon Bonaparte rose to lead the French army under the Directory because… 1. His wife had friends among the Directors 2. Most military officers were of noble birth. They had been executed during the terror or had fled elsewhere. Napoleon was one of the few military people left. 3. Napoleon was able to control a rioting crowd by firing grapeshot into the crowd. The Directors saw this and were impressed.

B. General Bonaparte won some remarkable victories against Austria in Italy C. Although defeated in Egypt, Napoleon was welcomed back as a hero because… he never told them he lost – he let the people think he had won D. At this point, the Directory had lost control of France. Napoleon was granted some power, and then took total control of the country in a coup d’ etat. This is a sudden overthrow of the government, usually by force

E. Napoleon became a dictator at the age of 30, and gave himself the title of First Consul and Emperor of the French (he even crowns himself emperor) F. Surprisingly, a popular vote of the people overwhelmingly supported Napoleon’s coup. Why? In times of chaos, people want a strong ruler.

III. Napoleon’s Domestic Policy (his policy for the country of France)

A. THE NAPOLEONIC CODE – KNOW THIS 1. Established uniform laws throughout France 2. Recognized all men as equal before the law 3. Established freedom of religion 4. Granted people the right to work in any occupation

IV. Napoleon’s Foreign Policy

A. Empire 1. When a ruler has an empire, he/she controls many countries 2. To “annex” means to take over another country and

make it part of your own. Napoleon annexed parts of Austria and Italy 3. Through battle, he eventually controlled all of Europe EXCEPT Great Britain, Russia and Sweden 4. He badly WANTED to control Great Britain 5. He prepared a fleet of ships to invade Britain, but lost in a crushing defeat to Lord Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalger. Ask about extra credit.

6. Napoleon was so mad he implemented the Continental System. THIS WAS ONE OF THE CAUSES OF HIS DOWNFALL a. The Continental System forbid any other country from trading with Britain b. Russia defied Napoleon’s order, so Napoleon invaded Russia in the winter. THIS WAS A SECOND REASON FOR NAPOLEON’S FALL FROM POWER. The French were drawn deep into Russia, and the people of Russia adopted a “scorched earth” policy. They burned their houses and crops, leaving the French troops without shelter or supplies. Of the 600,000 French soldiers who went in, only 100,000 did not die or desert. c. As his remaining troops limped out of Russian the Prussians, British and Austrians pounced on them.

B. Nationalism CONTRIBUTED TO THE DOWNFALL of Napoleon 1. Other countries were tired of sending their sons to be soldiers, and tired of sending their money in taxes for his wars. 2. Napoleon put his brother on the throne of Spain – people deeply resented him for this.

Joseph Bonapart

V. The End… A. Napoleon abdicated (gave up) the throne and is banished to an island. He escapes here, is emperor again for 100 days, but if finally defeated once and for all at the Battle of Waterloo. B. He spent his final days on the island of St. Helena

VI. Similarities between Napoleon and Hitler A. Both came to power in chaotic times B. Both had a deep desire to conquer Great Britain C. Both made the fatal mistake of invading Russia in the winter d. Both were excellent speakers and used new military techniques