Napoleon

Rise to Power

revolution provides young officer with opportunity→october 1795: protected national convention from an army/mob of royalists using artillery (cannons)→he was hailed as a savior of French republic→1796: appointed by the directory to command French army in Italy (against Austria and kingdom of Sardinia)→won a series of victories and ultimately conquered northern italy→gained fame throughout europe

Seizure of Power (coup)

1799: corrupt/ineffective French government, the directory, lost confidence of french people→november 9, 1799: Napoleon uses troops (500) to force national legislature to turn power to 3 consuls (Napoleon was one) →Napoleon assumes almost dictorial powers as first consul

Emperor

after defeating/making peace with a second coalition (Britain, Austria, Russia) Napoleon returns home to govern France

Plebiscite

a vote of the people (typically yes or no)

1st plebiscite

1800: French voted overwhelmingly for Napoleons constitution→gave all real power to Napoleon as first consul→legitimizes 1799 coup

2nd plebiscite

1802: French voted to make Napoleon first consul for life

3rd plebiscite

1804: French voted to allow Napoleon to become emperor

Restoration of Order

Emperor Napoleon kept many of the changes of the Revolution but restored many old things as well

Economic Order

-setup a national bank

-efficient tax collection

-balanced the budget

-slowed inflation

Religious Order

restore the relationship with the Catholic Church

Religious Order (actual reforms)

-concordant with Pope Pius VII

-Catholicism was recognized as religion of majority of France

-Church was no longer an enemy

-Everyone in France was free to worship as they wished

-Pope and Church would stop trying to reclaim land

-Pope recognized toleration of Protestants and Jews

-All reforms were widely supported (especially people with land)

Legal Order- Napoleonic Code

a new, comprehensive, uniform set of laws for France

Napoleonic Code- Positives

-officially abolished serfdom and all feudal obligations

-people are equal before the law (all classes)

-religious toleration

Napoleonic Code- Negatives

-government had power to censor press

-women lost rights gained during revolution (property + divorce)

-slavery restored in French colonies in Caribbean

-laws were applied equally to everyone except Napoleon (above the law)

Social Order

-noble emigres allowed to return as long as they behave politically

→they bring lots of $$$

-created a new aristocracy/nobility based on merit (60% from middle class)

→bourgeoise was happy that political office and promotion (also military) was now based on merit not family

-attempted to eliminate corruption and dismissed corrupt officials

→lycees

Lycees

government run public schools open to all male students→trained future officials of French government

Revolution/Enlightenment spread

many of these reforms were applied to conquered territories as well, that helped the spread of the ideals of the Revolution and Enlightenment

Battle of Trafalgar

-Naval Battle→led by Horatio Nelson (British Admiral) who died in battle

-HUGE British victory

-Secured British Naval Supremacy for years (until WWI)

-Napoleon could no longer invade Britain

Continental System (1806)

-Napoleon could no longer invade so he came up with this system

-it was a blockade of continental Europe from Britain

-he issued orders forbidding trade w/Britain

-smuggling allies violate orders because they need goods and profit

-Britain made their own blockade but theirs was much stronger because of their good navy

-continental europe’s economy is crushed which leads to more smuggling→Napoleon punished all smugglers/allies which leads to his own downfall

Peninsular Wars (1808-1814)

-France lost 300,000 soldiers, lots of $, and materials

-Portugual violated the continental system→Napoleon went after Portugal→he had to go through Spain

-Outside aid was provided by Britain (provided materials, $, and soldiers)

What events (3) triggered Spanish Nationalism?

-Disposing the Spanish King

-The invading army (especially killing civilians)

-Spanish feared crackdown on the Catholic Church

Guerrilla Warfare

-hit and run tactics

-cant distinguish civilians from soldiers

-french army commits atrocities

Nationalism

loyalty to one’s own country

Invasion of Russia (1812)

-Czar Alexander I refused to stop trading w/Britain (violated system)

-Napoleon wanted to punish him→he invaded russia

-Alexander refused to fight→used scorched earth policy

-Russians make a stand at Bordino→inconclusive (Napoleon’s sick)

-French got to Moscow and found the city burned + released prisoners

-Alexander refused to negotiate/surrender

-French army struggles in winter and Russians attack→1/3 of the army makes it home alive

-Napoleon was finally crushed at Leipzig

Congress of Vienna: Purpose

to stabilize Europe and restore order

Who led the Congress of Vienna?

Prince Metternich (Austrian)

Congress of Vienna: 3 Main Changes

-Balance of power→wont allow one country to gain too much power

-Containment → strong nations surround france

-Legitimacy→return old monarchies/dynasties to power (when able)

Extended Response Topics

-Congress of Vienna→What was its purpose + how did it achieve its goal?

-How did Napoleon use 3 plebiscites to gain power + why important?

-4 mistakes of Napoleon→How are they connected and how did they lead to Napoleons downfall?

-How did Napoleon hold and betray ideas from the French revolution and enlightenment? (2 ex. of each)