Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power during the French Revolution as a military leader. He was able to gain control of France by overthrowing the Directory government in 1799 and proclaiming himself First Consul. Over the next decade, Napoleon conquered much of Europe and established an empire through brilliant military victories. However, his invasion of Russia in 1812 proved disastrous and marked the beginning of his decline in power. After being defeated by a coalition of European powers, Napoleon was exiled to Elba in 1814, but briefly returned to power in 1815 before being defeated at Waterloo and exiled again, this time to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.

1. Napoleon
Bonaparte
(1769
-1821)

2. Napoleon’s Early Days
 Napoleon was born in Corsica (a French
territory) in August 1769.
 His family belonged to the middle social group
 He was sent to military academy in France
 Napoleon graduated in 1785, at the age of 16,
and joined the artillery as a second lieutenant.
 During the French Revolution he served the
Revolutionary Army.

3. “I am no ordinary man.”
 Napoleon rose quickly in the army during
the revolution because so many officers
fled France.
 In 1793, Napoleon commanded the French
troops that ousted the British from Toulon.
By age 27, Napoleon was a general.

4. The Directory
 A new constitution established a new
government known as the Directory. The
Directory included an elected legislature
and an executive branch with five
directors.

5. The young
general soon
received command
of a French army
for an invasion of
Italy.
 He won several
brilliant victories
over the Austrians
who ruled there.
 Napoleon’s
successes forced
Austria to withdraw
from the war in
1797.

6.  In 1798, Napoleon invaded
Egypt.
 Napoleon quickly defeated
the Egyptian army.
Horatio Nelson (1758-1805)

7.  Leaving the army in Egypt, Napoleon
returned to París. The French people
welcomed him as a hero in París.
 In París, Napoleon found that many
people were unhappy with the Directory.
With the help of troops loyal to him, he
overthrew the government in November,
1799.

8. Napoleon as “First Consul”
 After returning from Egypt,
Napoleon launched a
successful coup d’ etat on
November 9, 1799.
 He proclaimed himself “First
Consul” [Julius Caesar’s title].
 In 1802, he made himself sole
“Consul for Life.”
 Two years later he proclaimed
himself “Emperor.”

9. Europe in 1800

10. Napoleon’s Domestic Policy
 By 1804, Napoleon had gained almost
absolute power. He knew the French
would never stand for a return to the Old
Regime. Therefore, he continued many
reforms of the revolution.
 But at the same time, he kept firm
personal control of the government.

11. Social Achievements
 Concordat: Patch relationship with Catholic
Church - 1801
 Napoleonic Code: Uniform laws for all (except
women and slaves) - 1804 (still basis of
Louisiana’s law)
 Lycees: Public Schools for all
 National Bank and Tax Reform: To fix
France’s financial Problems

12. The
Influence
of the
Napoleonic
Code
Wherever it was implemented [in the conquered territories], the
Code Napoleon swept away feudal property relations.

13.  In 1804, Napoleon became
“Emperor of the French.”
 As Pope Pius VIII prepared
to crown the emperor,
Napoleon took the crown
and placed it on his head
himself. By this gesture,
Napoleon showed that he
did not bow to any
authority.
 He then proceeded to
crown his wife, the
Empress Josephine.
Emperor Napoleon

14. “Consecration of theEmperor Napoléon & the Empress Josephine,”
1806 by David
December 2, 1804

15. The Imperial Image

16. Napoleon’s Bed Chamber

17. Napoleon’s
Throne

18. “Napoleon on His
Imperial Throne”
1806
By Jean Auguste
Dominique Ingres

19. Napoleonic Europe

20. Height of Napoleon’s Power

21. The Empire of Napoleon
 In the early 1800s, France fought all the
major European powers.
 Through shrewd diplomacy, Napoleon
usually kept the European powers divided
so they could not unite against him.

22. Europe under French rule
 From 1807 to 1812, Napoleon was at the height
of his power. He controlled an empire that
stretched from France to the borders of Russia

23. Napoleon’s Empire in 1810

24. Napoleon’s Family Rules!
 Jerome Bonaparte  King of Westphalia.
 Joseph Bonaparte  King of Spain
 Louis Bonaparte  King of Holland
 Pauline Bonaparte  Princess of Italy
 Napoléon Francis Joseph Charles (son) King of
Rome
 Elisa Bonaparte  Grand
Duchess of Tuscany
 Caroline Bonaparte  Queen
of Naples

25. Napoleon’s Family & Friends/Allies

26.  While ruling this vast empire, Napoleon
helped spread the ideas of the French
Revolution across Europe.
 He introduced religious toleration,
abolished serfdom, made the Napoleonic
Code into law and reduced the power of
the Catholic Church.
 However, Napoleon lost much support
when he imposed high taxes to finance his
continuing conflict with Britain.
Europe under French rule

27. The Continental System
 Although Napoleon defeated the major powers on the
continent, he was unable to bring Britain to its knees.
 Admiral Nelson destroyed Napoleon’s plans by sinking
most of the French fleet at Cape Trafalgar, near Spain.
 Napoleon then decided to blockade British ports and
ordered all European nations to stop trade with Britain.
 This was called the Continental System.

28. The Continental System

29. The Continental System
 Unfortunately for France, the Continental
System backfired. Britain did lose trade,
but France suffered more.
 The powerful British navy was able to cut
off overseas imports to France and the
rest of the continent. This weakened the
French economy.

30. …And Then Things Fall Apart!
Three Costly Mistakes:
1. The Continental System
2. The Peninsular War
3. The Invasion of Russia

31. Napoléon’s MajorMilitaryCampaigns
Trafalgar (Lord Nelson: Fr. Navy lost!)
 BritainFrance 1805: Sea
Power

32. The Peninsular War - 1808
 Portugal ignored Continental System
 Napoleon sent army through Spain to overthrow
Royal Family
 Spanish towns rioted in response, so Napoleon
deposed Spanish king and made brother king of
Spain and Portugal
 Portugal Royals fled to Brazil, which became
only colony to be the capital of its “mother
country”

33. The Peninsular War - 1808
 REALLY made Spanish mad
 Very loyal to king
 Feared that Napoleon would weaken power of
Church as had happened in France
 Engaged in 5 years of guerrilla warfare,
which cost Napoleon 300,000 troops
 Encouraged Nationalism in other countries
like Germany and Italy, who also started
guerrilla warfare

34. “Third of May, 1808” by Goya (1810)

35. Stirrings of Nationalism
 During the reign of Napoleon, the concept
of Nationalism began to become popular.
Nationalism is the belief that a people
group can make one great nation
together.
 Napoleon used the desire of people to
have their own nation to help him defeat
the Austrian Empire.

36. Nationalism turns against Napoleon
 Opposition to Napoleon also grew among the
conquered and allied peoples of Europe, who
were developing a sense of nationalism, or pride
and devotion to one’s own country.
 They resented paying taxes to France and
sending soldiers to serve in Napoleon’s armies.
They wanted to restore their own governments,
customs, and traditions.
 As nationalists feelings grew, revolts broke out
all over Europe.

37. The Emperor’s Downfall
 In Spain, people fought against French troops.
They were the first place where people didn’t
accept his government.
 In 1812, Napoleon decided to invade Russia.
Napoleon assembled an army of over 500,000
soldiers, and in May 1812, he led this Grand
Army into Russia.
 Napoleon planned to defeat the Russians in a
quick, decisive battle. To his surprise, the
Russians refused to stand and fight. Instead,
they retreated, burning their crops and homes
as they went. They forced Napoleon to lead his
army deeper into Russia.

38. Napoléon Invades Russia: 1812
614,000 French troops

39.  The Russians finally engaged the French near Moscow,
500 miles inside Russia. The French won, but when
Napoleon entered Moscow, he found the Russian capital
in flames. Napoleon soon realized he could not feed and
house his army in Moscow. Thus, in October 1812, he
ordered a retreat.

40. Moscow on Fire!

41.  During the retreat, the bitterly cold Russian winter
turned the French victory into a disastrous defeat.
Thousands of Napoleon’s soldiers starved or froze to
death. The Russian army attacked the French.
Fewer than 100,000 escaped from Russia.

42. Napoléon’s Retreat
from Moscow(Early 1813)
100,000 French troops retreat—40,000 survive!

43.  A powerful alliance
made up of Britain,
Austria, Russia, and
Prussia attacked the
weakened French army
as it limped out of
Russia.
 Napoleon rushed home
to raise a new army,
but his efforts failed.
In March 1814, the
allies captured Paris.
 Napoleon abdicated
and went into exile on
the island of Elba, off
the coast of Italy.

44. Napoleon in Exile on Elba

45.  After Napoleon was exiled, the
monarchy was restored, but
the king was quite different
than his ancestors.
 In 1814, Louis XVIII issued a
constitution that provided for
equality under the law for all
citizens, an elected legislature,
and religious freedom. He
also kept the Napoleonic
Code. Louis XVIII (1755-1824)

46.  In March 1815, Napoleon
fled Elba and again
proclaimed himself
emperor. Discontented
soldiers rallied to his side.
For 100 days, he worked
to rebuild the French
army. But the European
allies acted.
 In June 1815, a joint
British and Prussian army
led by the Duke of
Wellington defeated the
French at Waterloo.
Duke of Wellington
(1769-1852)

47. Napoleon’s
Final Exile
Napoleon was exiled to the
island of St. Helena in the
Atlantic, where he died in
1821.

48. Napoleon’s Tomb

49. Key Events of the Empire
 Loss of Haiti, Sale of Louisiana, 1803
 Loss at Trafalgar, 1805
 Victories in Central Europe, 1805-1807
 Establishment of Continental System
 Spread of Napoleonic Code

50. Key Events of the Empire
 Nationalist Resistance to Napoleon
 Retreat from Russia, 1812-13
 Defeat at Leipzig, 1813
 Return, and defeat at Waterloo, 1815

52. Haitian Independence, 1792-1804
Toussaint L’Ouverture

53. Louisiana Purchase, 1803
$15,000,000

54. Josephine’s Divorce Statement (1807)
With the permission of our august
and dear husband, I must declare
that, having no hope of bearing
children who would fulfill the needs
of his policies and the interests of
France, I am pleased to offer him
the greatest proof of attachment
and devotion ever offered on this
earth.

55. Napoléon’s Divorce Statement (1807)
Far from ever finding cause for
complaint, I can to the contrary
only congratulate myself on the
devotion and tenderness of my
beloved wife. She has adorned
thirteen years of my life; the
memory will always remain
engraved on my heart.

56. Marie Louise
(ofAustria)
married Napoléon on
March 12, 1810
in Vienna

57. MarieLouise
(of Austria)
with
Napoléon’s Son
(Napoléon Francis Joseph Charles:
1811-1832)