Napoleon & Nationalism

Napoleon birthdate/place

August 15, 1769, Ajaccio, Corsica

what did napoleon carry out in 1799

coup d'état  or seizure of power.

Plebiscite

poll/vote

What happened during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign in 1798?

-ended in disaster when the British destroyed the French fleet, but Napoleon concealed the truth and left his army behind.

How did Napoleon seize power in France?

His supporters conducted a coup d’état to overthrow the Directory, making Napoleon dictator of France.

What did Napoleon mean when he said, “I found the crown of France lying on the ground, and I picked it up with my sword”?

He took power by force and saw himself as the rightful ruler of France.

What was the Consulate, and what role did Napoleon have in it?

The Consulate was a three-person executive government, with Napoleon as First Consul, giving him almost unlimited power.

What key changes did Napoleon make under the Consulate?

• Reorganized government
• Created the Bank of France and required tax payments
• Controlled inflation
• Placed education under national control
• Introduced the Napoleonic Code

What was the Napoleonic Code?

A law code based on Enlightenment ideas, promoting:

• Equality for all citizens
• Religious toleration
• Advancement based on merit
  However, it placed the state above the individual and limited freedom of speech and press.

How did Napoleon handle religion in France?

Signed the Concordat of 1801 with Pope Pius VII:

• Catholicism was recognized as the majority religion
• Religious toleration was allowed
• Napoleon retained control over church appointments.

What happened in 1804 when Napoleon became emperor?

He crowned himself to show that his authority came from himself, not the Pope or any other ruler.

How did Napoleon attempt to expand French control overseas?

He restored slavery in French colonies and tried to reclaim lost territories, but faced resistance, especially in Haiti.

How did other European nations react to Napoleon’s empire?

• Britain, Austria, Russia, and Sweden formed the Third Coalition against France.
• France dominated Europe by 1808, spreading the Napoleonic Code and abolishing feudalism.
• However, nationalism grew in conquered regions, leading to resistance.

Why was Napoleon’s invasion of Russia (1812) a disaster?

• Russia used the scorched-earth policy to starve and weaken Napoleon’s army.
• Harsh winter and lack of supplies forced Napoleon to retreat, abandoning his troops.
• One of the greatest military disasters in history.

What led to Napoleon’s first downfall in 1814?

• After his defeat in Russia, European monarchs broke their alliances with him.
• Prussia, Austria, and Britain captured France.
• Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Elba.

What was The Hundred Days?

• Napoleon escaped Elba and returned to France in 1815.
• He regained power but was defeated at Waterloo on June 18, 1815.
• He was exiled to St. Helena, where he died in 1821.

What was the Congress of Vienna, and what did it do?

A meeting of European powers to restore order after Napoleon. Key principles:

1. Compensation – Countries that suffered under Napoleon were compensated.
2. Balance of Power – Prevent any one nation from becoming too powerful.
3. Legitimacy – Restore former ruling families to their thrones.

Why did the Continental System fail?

The Continental System did not work because it did not include nationalism.

What is the Continental System?

A form of economic warfare that closed European ports to British goods; a foreign policy in which Europe adopted Napoleon’s reforms.

What is Nationalism?

Strong feelings of loyalty and pride in one's own country, along with the belief that it is superior to others.

What were The Hundred Days?

In 1815, Napoleon escaped from the Island of Elba and fought with Louis XVIII’s army. He was defeated by the allies at Waterloo and surrendered from the throne, ultimately being banished to the island of St. Helena, where he spent the rest of his life.

What was the Battle of Waterloo?

On June 18th, 1815, Prussia, Great Britain, and the Netherlands fought Napoleon’s French army one last time, marking the end of Napoleon and becoming the new symbol of his defeat.

Nationalism in this context

In this context, many people in Napoleon’s conquered territories became nationalists because they wanted to break free from French rule and have their own leaders instead.

Who was Klemens von Metternich, and where was he from?

Metternich was the Foreign Minister of Austria and a key figure at the Congress of Vienna.

What terms did Metternich use to describe revolution, and why?

He called it a 'sickness,' 'plague,' and 'cancer' because he believed revolutions caused war and disorder. He wanted to prevent them by reinforcing monarchies.

Why couldn’t Europe fully restore the old monarchy system (1815-1848)?

Because of 18th-century developments:

• Enlightenment (expanded public knowledge)
• Liberalism (rights and government by consent)
• Socialism (economic reform focus)
• Romanticism (creativity and possibility in art)

Why was Metternich called the 'Architect of Peace'?

• He led the Congress of Vienna after Napoleon’s defeat.
• His policies prevented major European wars until WWI (1914).

What was the ‘Concert of Europe’?

An alliance formed at the Congress of Vienna to maintain peace and suppress revolutions. Members: Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia (France joined in 1818).

How did Latin American revolutions inspire European nationalists?

Latin American leaders like Simón Bolívar fought for independence, showing that people could successfully overthrow foreign rulers. This inspired European nationalists who wanted to challenge Metternich’s system.

Who were the Decembrists in Russia?

• Russian army officers who wanted political and social reforms.
• They led a failed uprising against the Tsar.
• Tsar Nicholas I executed their leaders in 1825.

Which country dealt the 'first decisive blow' to the Concert of Europe?

France (1830) – Protesters overthrew the Bourbon monarchy, showing that political change was still possible.

Why didn’t England have a revolution (1815-1848)?

England reformed its government:

• Reform Bill of 1832 shifted power to industrial areas.
• The middle class gained political influence.
  This helped prevent revolution.

What happened in 1848 that symbolized the decline of Metternich’s influence?

Metternich was forced to resign in Austria due to revolutionary uprisings.

How did nationalism challenge Europe’s dynastic rulers?

Monarchs ruled different ethnic groups, but nationalism promoted self-rule. People wanted leaders who shared their language, history, and culture.

Which countries successfully built strong nations in the mid-1800s, and why?

• Germany, Italy, France, Britain, Russia
• They industrialized, reformed governments, and centralized power.
• Nationalism unified people (e.g., Italy & Germany).

Which empires struggled with nationalism, and why?

• Austria-Hungary & Ottoman Empire
• They ruled diverse ethnic groups who wanted independence.

What caused economic hardship in Europe during the 'Hungry Forties'?

• Poor harvests → grain & potato shortages
• Inflation → food prices doubled
• Unemployment → led to protests & riots
  Governments that failed to manage the crisis were seen as weak or illegitimate.

Why did the French Revolution of 1848 fail?

• Divisions among revolutionaries
• Fear of chaos and disorder
• Authoritarian rulers regained power
  Other revolutions faced similar failures, shifting focus to imperialism instead.