Rise and Fall of Napoleon

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Early Life

Born on the island of Corsica (a French colonial possession)

Moved to France for his education

• Military College of Brienne

• Military Academy of Paris

• Graduated 42nd in a class of 58.

Military Career

After the commanding officer was wounded, Napoleon led the National Convention’s army in a successful assault on Toulon in 1793.

At age 24, in recognition of this accomplishment, Napoleon was promoted to brigadier general.

Jacobin Trouble

Napoleon had been an active with the Jacobins since graduation from military academies.

In 1794, when Robespierre was thrown from power and executed, Napoleon was arrested because he was seen as a student of Robespierre.

He was freed shortly afterwards, but he was not restored to his position.

Rescuer of the Directory

1795 – The Directory was faced with the threat of a royalist uprising in Paris.

They needed help to put down this threat, so they called on Napoleon.

Napoleon easily put down the columns of rebels and was seen as a savior of the National Convention.

He was given sole command of the Army of the Interior, based in Paris.

Becoming a Legend

During 1796 and 1797 Napoleon leads the French army against Austria. He wins victories at:

• Battle of Lodi

• Battle of Arcole

• Battle of Rivoli

He forces the Austrians to sign the Treaty of Campo-Formio.

The First Coalition (Prussia, Austria, and England) against Revolutionary France had collapsed.

He returns to Paris as a hero.

Napoleon v. England

1798 – Napoleon is assigned by the Directors to lead the army that is assembling on the coast in an invasion of England.

He takes a quick look at things and told the directors that it could not be done unless France had control of the Sea.

Next best thing…hurt their empire.

• The plan is changed to an invasion of Egypt, and the directors send Napoleon.

• Happy to get the ambitious young general further away from Paris

Napoleon v. NelsonRound One

Napoleon v. NelsonRound One

August 1, 1798 – Battle of the Nile

• The Royal Navy launches a surprise attack of the French Fleet at anchor in Abu Qir Bay

• Napoleon and his army have no ride home

He attempts to march the army home on land, but the British Army stops them in Syria.

The French retreat to Egypt…very costly.

War at Sea in the Age of Napoleon

Battle of the Nile

Battle of the Nile

Battle of the Nile

Napoleon v. Europe

The Battle of the Nile and the defeat in Syria showed the world that Napoleon was not undefeatable.

England, Austria, Russia, and Turkey form an alliance against Bonaparte.

Napoleon Comes to Power

By 1799, the moderate leaders of the Directory were seen as being too weak. Napoleon hears about the trouble in Paris, leaves his men in Egypt, and returns home.

The Directors were thrown out. A new government called the Consulate was placed into power.

One of the consuls = Napoleon

The other two were pretty weak. Napoleon, now just 30 years old, is the real leader of France.

Across the Alps to Italy

Napoleon leads the French army into Italy in 1800.

• Forces Austria to sign the Treaty of Lunville.

The Second Coalition (Russia, Austria, and England) against Revolutionary France had collapsed.

From Consul to Emperor

1802 – Napoleon takes a leading role in forming a new French Constitution…it makes him First Consul for life.

• In 1804 the senate would declare that Napoleon was Emperor.

Disaster in Haiti

1803 - Napoleon sells the Louisiana Territory to the United States.

Treaty of Amiens (1803)

England wins Battle of the Nile (1798)

France wins the Battle of Marengo (1800)

France wins the Battle of Hohenlinden (1800)

England wins the Battle of Copenhagen (1801)

1803 – The two sides call a ceasefire

Nelson v. NapoleonRound Two

The Battle of Trafalgar (1805)

Battle of Trafalgar

A Bittersweet Victory for England

HMS Victory

From Empire to Exile

Napoleon decides to issue orders that closed the ports of continental Europe in order to hurt England’s economy. This plan was called the Continental System.

Britain responds by issuing its own blockade. England’s blockade works better.

• The Royal Navy begins stopping American ships headed for Europe.

• War of 1812

From Empire to Exile

The Spanish people are not happy that Napoleon is marching his invasion army through their country = Peninsular War.

• Guerillas

• No traditional battles

• 300,000 French casualties

Napoleon’s Biggest Mistake

1812 – Napoleon leads the French Grand Army, of 420,000 troops, into Russia.

Russians refuse to meet Napoleon in open battle.

• Scorched-earth policy

• Early winter forces retreat

• Only 10,000 troops return home to France

Retreat From Russia

Into Exile(More of a vacation really)

Napoleon’s enemies (England, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Sweden) attack while Napoleon is weak.

• Battle of Leipzig (1813)

• April, 1814 – Napoleon gives up his throne and is sent into exile on the island of Elba.

Napoleon is Back…Briefly

Louis XVIII was placed in charge of France, but the French people feared that he wanted to undo the Revolution.

• That was all Napoleon needed to hear. He returns from Elba, lands in France, and marches to Paris.

• An army joins him along the way.

• Within days, Napoleon is Emperor again.

Exiled Again

Napoleon meets the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo

• The French Army is defeated by the combined English and Prussian forces

The defeat ended Napoleon’s second and final reign of power. This second bid for imperial power is known as the “Hundred Days”

The English shipped Napoleon to his second exile on the island of St. Helena.

Congress of Vienna

Representatives of the 5 “Great Powers” met to design a new Europe

• Russia

• Prussia

• Austria

• Great Britain

• France (under Louis XVIII)

The Goal = A stable and peaceful Europe

Prince Klemens von Metternich

Most influential representative at the Congress of Vienna.

• Represented Austria

• Three goals:

Surround France with strong nations

Restore a balance of power

Restoration of Europe’s monarchies

Taking it Easy on France

The representatives at Vienna did not want to punish France too severely.

• The goal was to establish a “balance of power” among the nations of Europe

• They believed that making France too weak would not result in a lasting peace

The Results of Vienna

No nation came away from the Congress holding a grudge

None of the Five Great Powers went to war against each other for 40 years

Many groups of people were placed under the rule of new nations after the Congress of Vienna redrew the map of Europe. This resulted in the growth of nationalism.

Europe Before Vienna

Europe After Vienna