THE RISE OF….NAPOLEON!
Lesson 3.6
Knight’s Charge
Who filled the “power vacuum” that was created after Louis XVI was executed?
What happened during the “Reign of Terror?”
Why did Robespierre have so many people killed?
How were people executed? Why? If Mr. Sliwa were any television show
character, who would he be?
Weird Disney Fact of the Day!
French Turmoil
By the late 1790’s, people were begging for some sort of stability in France
The “Directory” was not providing stability
The one force that was able to take “charge” of the nation was…
The Army!!!
Rise of Napoleon Napoleon was a political leader in the army The army embodied the popular values of the nation Born in 1769 – Napoleon received a large scholarship to the
military academy He quickly became a lieutenant in the army He inspired and motivated troops Was one of the first to study famous military campaigns and the
use of technology The French revolution gave him the opportunity to use his
knowledge and talents
Military Successes Napoleon led successful campaigns against
France’s enemies – Particularly Italy Some of his tactics:
Speed: Use of a cavalry to outflank the opponent
Surprise: To gain a territorial advantageDecisive Action: Aa centralized chain of
commandQuick Artillery Strikes: to injure the enemy
before an attackUsed “overwhelming force” to disperse the
enemy lines
Rise of Napoleon He returns to Paris a hero! His only remaining enemy: England! But, Napoleon is ….Smart. He decides to attack England’s colonies in Egypt
instead!
Napoleon Grabs Power
When he returns to France, he uses the army to overthrow the directory and establish a consulate.
Consulate = A 3 person executive branch
The consulate had democratic principles…but, Napoleon seized power for himself and named himself “First Consul.”
Napoleon as Emperor
Has a BIG EGO! Re-Writes the French Constitution to
include his title as “Emperor of the French.”
Invites Pope to Coronation – But, places crown on his own head!
Extends Napoleonic Code (set of laws) around Europe
Napoleonic Code 1. Safeguards all forms of property 2. Employment to be based on
talent, not birth 3. Merit- Based Pay 4. Workers organizations are
forbidden 5. Men are granted FULL control of
their families 6. Divorce was made difficult, if not
impossible, for women
Napoleon’s Empire
Napoleon could put as many as 700,000 men in the military at one time.
Nobody could match his army
He could not wipe out England because they had a better Navy
So…He adopted the Continental System to cripple their trade
The Continental System
France forbids any of the conquered nations to trade with the British.
He hoped to create a revolution in England and drive them to war
The system was a COMPLETE FAILURE
The British economy survived by trading with…
North and South America.
The Fall of Napoleon Russia did not like him 1810 – Russia withdraws from the Continental
System and prepares for war
Napoleon’s Biggest Mistake: Napoleon creates an army of 600,000 men to
fight Russia. Russia practiced a “scorched earth” policy.
They destroyed all food, supplies, and land as they retreated from an area.
Napoleon’s army could not live off of the land It was bitterly cold…so, Napoleon abandons his
own army and retreats.
…Sad Napoleon… Weakened, Napoleon is captured and exiled
to Elba. The Hundred Days – Napoleon escapes,
takes control of France again, and is finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo…and exiled again…
Napoleon is now Sad…