The New Dictator

Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte• Born on the French

island of Corsica• During revolution

moved up the ranks to General led soldiers against the French royalists in 1795 who were attacking the National Convention.

Napoleon Bonaparte•Overthrew The Directory•Named himself First Consul

•1802 named Consul for Life

Napoleon’s Reforms1.Regulate Economy –

control prices

2.Encouraged New Industry

3.Built roads &

canals

Napoleon Reforms

4. Made public schools under gov’t control

5. Napoleonic Code – new laws based on Enlightenment ideas

Napoleon Reforms

6. Tax collection was made more fair and orderly so France could rely on a steady supply of money.

7. Dishonest government workers were removed.

Louisiana Purchase

HERO• 1803 to get money

for all France debts is considered a hero when he sells off the swampy, unexplored land of the Louisiana Purchase to America.

ZERO• 1803 when an army he

sent to re-conquer Haiti was destroyed he realizes French possessions on the mainland of North America would now be indefensible, and facing imminent war with Britain, he sold them to the United States —the Louisiana Purchase—for less than three cents per acre.

•1804 took title Emperor of the French

Napoleonic Code

•Equality for all citizens•Religious Toleration•Advancement based on merit

Expanding French Empire

•Major goal is to take over the world and expand French empire through Military Conquests.

Expanding French Empire

• Is successful at first and begins to slowly gain more land and power for France.

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Great Britain only nation to remain outside

Napoleon’s European Empire• Napoleon attacked British Economy• Creates Continental

System

(Blockade of England)

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Spain• Bro – Joseph is King• Introduced liberal

reforms• Many still loyal to old

King• Used Guerrilla

Warfare on French

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Spain•Attacks kept French troops in Spain when needed elsewhere

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Russia• Czar Alexander I

resigned from Continental System

• France invaded w/ 600,000 men

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Russia• “Scorched Earth Policy”

–Russians retreated burning everything

–Left NO Supplies

for French!

Challenges to Napoleon’s Empire

Russia• French take Moscow in Sept.• Cannot survive the winter (no

supplies)• Forced to retreat home• Only 100,000 survived the retreat

Napoleon’s Empire at its Largest

Dark Blue-French EmpireMedium Blue-Conquered "Rebellious" StatesLight Blue-Allied States

Napoleon’s Downfall• Russia, GB, Austria, & Prussia

joined forces against France• French Army is defeated. • Napoleon forced to abdicate the

thrown. • Exiled to Elba – island in

Mediterranean

Napoleon’s Downfall•Napoleon Escapes!•Returns & has support of army

•New King flees•Napoleon returns to power – for 100 days!

Napoleon’s Downfall• European allies join together• Battle of Waterloo – French are

defeated

Napoleon’s Downfall• Napoleon is exiled to St.

Helena – Island in South Atlantic

• Stays there

until his death

in 1821

Aftermath of Napoleon • France kept Napoleonic Code &

Reforms• People under Napoleon gained rights,

education, and suffrage. • Holy Roman Empire disbanded and

Europe is built to what it is today. • United States doubles in size because

of Napoleon and Louisiana Purchase.

Europe's great

powers after 1815

Any Questions?