Napoleon Bonaparte

Scoundrel or Savior?

• Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821 • Born on French ruled island of Corsica (in the

Mediterranean) • Minor aristocrat (noble).

– Poor noble but attended schools with the privileged.

– Discouraged he could not find acceptance by the upper class students.

– He struggled with the idea that he was brighter than most of his classmates but did not receive the recognition due to his lack of status. This drove him to study harder and fueled his ambitions.

1789 Napoleon was a French lieutenant during the French Revolutionary war.

Fought the British in 1793 and helped drive them out of France. The French Revolutionary War years proved to be successful ones for Napoleon. He finds himself on the battlefield. VERY POPULAR

Promoted to General and given an army. Defeats Austria, then invades Egypt. WHY Egypt??

His First Defeat (Egypt)

British Navy defeats French at Battle of the Nile.

Napoleon is cut off. Can not hope to take over the Middle East

Hears things are going bad in Paris

Napoleon Returns to France

1799 he leaves Egypt, returns to France and helps overthrow the weakened Directory (Govt).

1802 Napoleon names himself First Consul for life. 1804 named himself “Emperor of the French”.

Crowned Himself

Political Accomplishments Maintained firm control over

France – stability Napoleonic Code – a unified

legal system people could understand

Created a national bank, schools, 1st “modern” hospitals

Napoleonic Wars 1804-1812

Defeats Austria – again Takes over most of Europe > Spain, Prussia

(Eastern Germany), Holy Roman Empire (western Germany), Italy.

Could never manage to invade England. British Navy defeats him again at Battle of Trafalgar

(off the coast of Spain) Imposes Continental System to blockade Britain

Backfires – British navy cuts off supplies to France Also results in US and Britain going to war – the war of 1812

Stirrings of discontent

People in conquered nations not happy Guerrilla warfare in Spain (hit and run) Prussians raising their army secretly Russia stops playing by Continental

System Starts trading w/ Britain

This Continental System

Stinks!

Spanish Guerrilla

1812 1812 He invades RussiaHe invades Russia Estimated 600,000 soldiersEstimated 600,000 soldiers His troops draw close to His troops draw close to

Russian troops, only to Russian troops, only to find them constantly find them constantly retreatingretreating

Russians use “scorched Russians use “scorched Earth policy”Earth policy”

Nothing left to eatNothing left to eat All houses burnedAll houses burned

Napoleon meets “General Napoleon meets “General Winter” and “General Winter” and “General Mud”Mud”

Ooops!Ooops!

By Oct. 1812 Napoleon’s army By Oct. 1812 Napoleon’s army reaches Moscowreaches Moscow Hollow victory because the Hollow victory because the

city is emptycity is empty As soon as Napoleon’s As soon as Napoleon’s

army enters the city the army enters the city the Russian army set it on fire.Russian army set it on fire.

Winter sets inWinter sets in Napoleon must retreatNapoleon must retreat Thousands of soldiers dieThousands of soldiers die

Ooops ContinuedOoops Continued

•His army must endure the trek home through the brutal European winter w/o supplies or adequate clothing

•This is when the Russian army finally strikes

•They begin attacking Napoleon’s retreating army

•Only approx 200,000 made it back to France

Defeated and ExiledDefeated and Exiled

Napoleon can not defend Napoleon can not defend FranceFrance

Allies gang up Allies gang up Defeat Napoleon at the Defeat Napoleon at the

Battle of NationsBattle of Nations

Napoleon Exiled to Elba Napoleon Exiled to Elba

The 100 Days – The The 100 Days – The Return of NapoleonReturn of Napoleon

Napoleon escapes exileNapoleon escapes exile

June 18, 1815 – Battle of WaterlooJune 18, 1815 – Battle of Waterloo

• Largest battle up to that timeLargest battle up to that time

• Finally defeated by The British Finally defeated by The British “Duke of Wellington”“Duke of Wellington”

Waterloo – the endWaterloo – the end

Sent to exile again on Sent to exile again on St. HelenaSt. Helena

St. Helena

Who was Napoleon?Who was Napoleon?

His Glory DaysHis Glory Days• He said, "I am a superior individual." He said, "I am a superior individual." • He said, “Since one must take sides, one might as He said, “Since one must take sides, one might as

well choose the side that is victorious, the side well choose the side that is victorious, the side which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten." alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten."

In ExileIn Exile

Paraphrase - He said, "I know men and Jesus Paraphrase - He said, "I know men and Jesus Christ was no mere man. I, Charlemagne, Christ was no mere man. I, Charlemagne, Hannibal, and others have devoted our lives Hannibal, and others have devoted our lives accumulating power, and we have no accumulating power, and we have no followers. Jesus Christ has died, and at this followers. Jesus Christ has died, and at this very moment millions would die for him." very moment millions would die for him."