Napoleon Forges an Empire

Chapter 7

Section 3

Section 2 Review

Main Ideas

Napoleon Bonaparte, a military genius, seized power in France and made himself emperor.

In times of political turmoil, military dictators often seize control of nations.

Introduction Despite his short stature,

Napoleon left a large mark on history.

He was one of the world’s greatest military geniuses.

In four years, Napoleon rose from an officer in the army to the leader of France.

He was a courageous man with an ability to inspire others.

Hero of the Hour 1795 - Royalist rebels marched

on the National Convention. Napoleon was told to defend

the delegates. Napoleon bombarded the

royalists.They fled within minutes.

He became the hero of the hour.

Napoleon 1796 – The Directory appointed

Napoleon to lead an army. He was successful and they

asked him to lead an expedition in Egypt.

Napoleon was not successful.Newspapers did not publish that

information. He remained a hero.

Coup d’État The Directory no longer had control of

the political situation. Napoleon drove out most of the

members of the national legislature, in an effort to seize power.

The remaining members voted out the Directory and established a group of three consuls.

Napoleon took the title of first consul and assumed the powers of a dictator. Example of a Coup d’État – “blow

to the state”.

Napoleon Rules France Napoleon pretended to be

the chosen leader of a free republic.

A plebiscite, vote of the people, was held to approve the new constitution.

People were eager for order and approved it.

Napoleon received all real power.

Restoring Order at Home Napoleon supported laws that

would: Strengthen the central

government Achieve some goals of the

French Revolution He established a fairer tax code. He set up government-run public

schools, lycees. He set up a comprehensive

system of laws, Napoleonic Code.

Napoleon Crowned as Emperor 1804 – Napoleon wanted to

crown himself emperor. The ceremony took place at

Notre Dame and the pope was ready to crown him.

Napoleon took the crown from the pope and crowned himself.

He was more powerful than the Church.

Napoleon Creates an Empire

Read pages 231-233 on your own.

Answer 3-5 on page 233 on a left page in your notebook.