Napoleon Study Guide – Key Terms & Events (Vocabulary)

A vocabulary-style set of flashcards covering major battles, reforms, political events, and key figures from the Napoleonic era as reflected in the notes.

Austerlitz (Battle of Austerlitz, 1805)

A major Napoleonic victory against Austria and Prussia, often cited as Napoleon's greatest military triumph.

Jena (Battle of Jena, 1806)

Napoleon defeat of Prussia, significantly weakening Prussia and shifting European power.

Continental System

1806 economic blockade intended to weaken Britain by excluding British goods from European markets; ultimately failed.

Guerrilla warfare in Spain (1808-1814)

Spanish resistance using guerrilla tactics that drained French resources.

Russian Campaign 1812

Napoleon's invasion of Russia that ended in disaster due to winter, scorched-earth tactics, and supply failures.

Sixth Coalition

Alliance of European powers that united to defeat Napoleon.

First Exile to Elba

Napoleon abdicated in 1814 and was exiled to the island of Elba.

Hundred Days

Napoleon's brief return to power in 1815 after escaping Elba.

Battle of Waterloo

Napoleon's final defeat, crushed by Wellington and Prussian forces in 1815.

Final exile to Saint Helena

Napoleon was banished to Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, where he died in 1821.

Napoleonic Code

A unified civil code (1804) establishing equality before the law, property rights, and secular authority.

Nationalism

A force that strengthened loyalty to nation-states and resistance to foreign rule across Europe.

Modernized military

Reforms in training, organization, and tactics that improved Napoleonic warfare.

Legacy: Brilliant leader and power-hungry

Napoleon's lasting impact includes military genius and authoritarian ambitions.

Law of Suspects (1793)

Law allowing arrests without evidence during the Reign of Terror.

Decrees of the National Assembly (1789)

Abolished feudal privileges and restructured French political society.

Jacobins

Radical revolutionary club pushing for a republic and often endorsing terror.

Sans-Culottes

Working-class revolutionaries demanding further radical reforms.

Second Estate

Nobility that held privileges before the Revolution.

Nobility of the Robe

Nobles who held judicial or administrative positions.

Estates-General

Advisory assembly called by Louis XVI in 1789, consisting of Clergy, Nobility, and Commoners.

Storming of the Bastille (1789)

Revolutionaries attacked the fortress-prison, symbolizing the Revolution.

Reign of Terror (1793-94)

Period of mass executions led by the Committee of Public Safety under Robespierre.

Conspiracy of Equals (1796-1797)

Radical plot to overthrow the Directory; leaders attempted to create an egalitarian society and were arrested/executed.

Flight to Varennes (1791)

Louis XVI and family attempted to escape Paris, undermining trust in the monarchy.

Treaty of Campo-Formio (1797)

Treaty with Austria expanding French territory, including Belgium and Italian ports.

Maximilien Robespierre

Leader of the Jacobins and the Reign of Terror; promoted the Cult of the Supreme Being; executed in 1794.

Louis XVI

King of France; executed in 1793 for treason.

Marie Antoinette

Queen of France, Austrian-born; executed in 1793.

Lazare Carnot

Known as the Organizer of Victory; key planner of French military strategy.

Cult of the Supreme Being

Robespierre's attempt to replace traditional religion with civic virtue and revolutionary values.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790)

Law placing the Church under state control, causing deep divisions.

Plebiscites

Popular votes Napoleon used to legitimize his rule.

Assignats

Revolutionary paper currency that depreciated in value.

Directory (1795-1799)

Weak and corrupt government established after Robespierre's fall; overthrown by Napoleon.

Coup d'État of 18 Brumaire (1799)

Napoleon's coup that overthrew the Directory and established the Consulate.

Consulate

French government after the coup, with Napoleon as First Consul.

Emperor (1804)

Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French, consolidating power.

Lycées

State secondary schools created to train officials for the state.

Concordat with the Pope (1801)

Agreement restoring relations with the Catholic Church while keeping it under state control.

Grand Army

Napoleon's large, highly disciplined army that conducted campaigns across Europe.

Empire (by 1812)

Napoleon controlled most of Europe through conquests and alliances.