The Age of Napoleon11-3

Early Life Born 1769 in Corsica (small island in

Mediterranean) Father = minor noble in Italy, but not rich Napoleon won a scholarship to a famous military

school Lieutenant in French army Spoke w/ Italian accent Unpopular w/ fellow officers Read French Enlightenment philosophy Studied famous military campaigns

Military Successes Rose quickly through military Age 24 Committee of Public Safety

Brigadier general Won a series of battles

Speed, surprise, decisive action Defeated armies of Papal States and Austria France controlled north Italy

Military Success (con’t) During Italian campaigns

Won devotion of troops W/ intelligence, his ease w/ words, supreme self-

confidence

1797—Napoleon is a hero Given command of an army training to take

Britain, but Napoleon knew they couldn’t do that. So, Napoleon decided to attack Egypt

Egypt Egypt—Brit colony on route to India. HUGE

source of wealth for the Brits Brits—SEA POWER

Controlled Mediterranean 1799—Brits defeated French navy trying to

take Egypt Napoleon abandoned and went back to Paris

Consul and Emperor 1799—coup d'état overthrew Directory New gov’t called the consulate

“Republic” Absolute power Napoleon called first consul

Appointed officials Controlled army Conducted foreign affairs Influenced legislature

Consul and Emperor (con’t) 1802—Named consul for life 1804—Crowned himself Emperor Napoleon

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