RISE OF NAPOLEON AND THE NAPOLEONIC WARS Chapter 22.3

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Napoleon was a skilled military leader

Captain at age 22

Brigadier general at age 24

Commander of the French armies in Italy at age 26

Napoleon won many battles as Commander of French armies in Italy

Earned respect of his troops and fellow officers

CONSUL AND EMPEROR

After overthrowing the Directory in a coup d'état, Consulate becomes gov’tA republic in theory

Napoleon named consul, held absolute power Later crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I

Napoleon made peace with Catholic Church and the pope

He created the Napoleonic CodeCode of laws that preserved many principles fought for in the Revolution Equality of all citizens before the law

Religious toleration

Loss of rights for women and children

PRESERVER OR DESTROYER OF THE REVOLUTION?

Preserver

Created national education system

Guaranteed many rights in the Napoleonic Code

Reopened newspapers

Created merit-based bureaucracy

Destroyer

Education was heavily indoctrinated

Women and children lost many rights in Napoleonic Code

Heavily censored the press and even mail

Gave highest offices to friends and family

Became dictator and emperor

NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE

Napoleon warred with various European nations including Russia, Spain, and Britain

Continually won decisive battles; master strategist

Napoleon spread some Revolution principles to nations he conquered

Equality before law; religious tolerance; merit-based gov’t

Napoleon helped influence development of modern Europe

RESISTANCE TO NAPOLEON

Napoleon never conquered Great Britain because of its powerful navyNapoleon suffers first major defeat at Battle of Trafalgar

Napoleon then demanded his allies cease trading with Britain

Most continue in secret or refuse

Britain trades more with Middle East and Latin America instead

Rise of nationalism helped defeat Napoleon

Nationalism: unique cultural identify of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols