World History II H - Napoleon (First Half)

Napoleon Bonaparte

A French military leader who rose to power during the French Rev (artillery officer → general → first consul → consul for life → emperor)

Corsica

The Mediterranean island where Napoleon was born (1769)

Egyptian Campaign

the expedition Napoleon led into Egypt to protect French trade interests and disrupt trading between G.B. and India; was defeated at sea and “pinned down” in Egypt but was able to keep that out of the news and stay as France’s hero

The Directory

A new plan of government made by moderates in the National Convention in 1795 which placed power in the hands of the upper middle class (had a two-house legislature and an executive board of five moderate [not revolutionary idealist] men; some were corrupt)

Coup d’etat

Napoleon’s forceful overtake of the Directory in 1799; most members were drove out and the rest that stayed voted to dissolve the Directory

Plebiscite 

A vote of the people where people vote using “Yes” or “No”; in Napoleon’s case a plebiscite was held to approve his constitution and make him leader in desperation of a strong govt

Lycee(s)

A government set up school to provide the new govt with educated and trained officials because Napoleon was sick of untrained officials

Concordat

An agreement that Napoleon signed with the Church (Pope Pius VII) that acknowledged the influence of the Church but said they had not power in national affairs; set up a new relationship between the country and the Church

Napoleonic Code

His comprehensive system of laws which he thought was his greatest work, gave the country an equal set of laws and eliminated many injustices; actually limited liberty and promoted order/authority over indiv rights (freedom of speech and press); also brought back slavery in Caribbean colonies

Haiti

The island where enslaved Africans wanted the same privileges as the people of France; also where a civil war started and enslaved Africans took over led by Toussaint L’Ouverture 

“Careers Open to Talent”/Idea of Merit

Roles (especially in govt) are earned through merit (knowledge, smarts, and skills) rather than family connections; officials from lycees were appointed to the govt based on merit