The Age of Napoleon

Napoleon’s Rise to Power

Born in 1769 as Napoleon Bonaparte in Corsica

At the age of nine, placed in Military School By 16 at become an artillery officer

By 1795 was the Savior of French Republic Defeated royalist rebels attacking National Convention Appointed to lead an army against enemies Wins against Italy help gain popularity

By 1799 Seized power with the use of troops (coup d’ etat) Defeats British, Russians, Austrians who join forces

against him

Napoleon Rules France

In 1800 New Constitution is approved through plebiscite (vote of the people)

Rebuilt government by Fixing economy = national banking system and efficient taxes Removed dishonest gov’t, promotion based on ability Establishes lycées—government-run public schools to train

officials Signs concordat—agreement—with pope restoring Catholicism Creates Napoleonic Code—uniform system of laws (Equal

rights) Preserved equality for all citizens Right of the individual to choose a profession Religious tolerations Abolition of feudalism

Limited Rights under Napoleonic Code

Limited Rights Women Rights

Divorce allowed but difficult (Property belonged to husband)

Treated as minors

Liberty replaced by despotism (Tyrant)

Eliminated Freedom of the Press (60/73 papers) Approval before publication

Mail opened by gov’t officials

Napoleon Creates an Empire

Need for more land In 1801, attempts to retake colony of Saint Domingue but fails Sells the Louisiana Territory to United States for $15 million in

1803 In December 1804, Napoleon crowns himself emperor of France

Gives up on the Americas and concentrates on Europe

Empire consists of: French Empire (Rhine to half of Italy), Dependent states

(controlled by relatives), and Allied States (defeated and forced to fight)

The Battle of Trafalgar In 1805, ensures British naval superiority and ruins ideas of

invading Britain

Fall of Napoleon’s Empire

Napoleon’s Costly Mistakes - threatened by his own personality and need to expamnnd Desire to crush Britain

Ordered a blockade—forced closing of ports Fail of the Continental System—economic plan to strengthen

Europe, weaken Britain Britain by its stronger navy

Made Brother King of Spain Spanish fight as guerrillas with support from Britain—small

groups that attacked and then disappear Lost 300,000 troops to The Peninsular War

Tries to Conquer Russia In June 1812, Napoleon’s army marches into Russia with 420,000 men Russians use scorched-earth policy—destroying crops, livestock Napoleon retreats, losing thousands of soldiers to raids, cold weather

Fall of Napoleon’s Empire Continues

Napoleon Suffers Defeat Britain, Prussia, Sweden, Russia, Austria join forces

against Napoleon Battle of Leipzig -raises another army, but defeat due to

inexperience Napoleon finally surrenders and is exiled to island of Elba King Louis XVIII is crowned King of France and struggles

The Hundred Days: Napoleon’s last attempt at power Louis XVIII is overthrown and Napoleon returns Battle of Waterloo—British, Prussian forces defeat

Napoleon

Congress of Vienna

A Meeting of Nations Congress of Vienna—series of meetings that reshape Europe

Kingdom of the Netherlands formed, and Switzerland made independent Austria dominates new German Confederation of 39 German states

Klemens von Metternich—foreign minister of Austria, influential at Congress French couldn’t attack another country Balance of power—a chief Metternich goal, with no one country a threat L egitimacy—monarchs deposed by Napoleon are returned to thrones Leaders hope to

restore order through these changes European nations agree to preserve peace, which lasts almost 40 years

Political Changes Holy Alliance—Russia, Prussia, Austria pledge to fight revolution Concert of Europe—European nations pledge to help fight revolutions Conservative governments rule across Europe, but new ideas have impact

Revolutions in Latin America Napoleon’s replacing king of Spain set off rebellions in Spanish America Many former colonies of Spain and Portugal gain independence Britain, Prussia gain power; spreading nationalism leads to revolutions