Napoleon Slides Review

Emperor Napoleon I

French military and political leader who became Emperor of France

Born in Corsica (1769)

Napoleon’s birthplace

Entered military school at 9

Early start to military education

Child of the revolution

Grew up during the French Revolution

Appointed to lead French army in Italy in 1796

Early military leadership role

Favored the revolution

Supported revolutionary ideals

Opportunity for promotion

Advanced due to revolutionary upheaval

Became a Jacobin

Joined a radical revolutionary political group

Easter 1792 – fired upon Church supporters

Early revolutionary military action

Dec. 1793 – defended Toulon

Defended revolutionary forces against royalists

Oct. 1795 – “whiff of grapeshot” put down royalist uprising

Used military to secure power for the Convention

Commander of French Army in Italy

Led military campaigns in Italy

Conducted military & foreign policy on his own

Exercised independent authority

Gained a lot of land for France

Expanded French territory

True national hero

Celebrated for military successes

Egypt campaign

Attempt to build an eastern empire

35

000 soldiers and scientists

French fleet destroyed by Horatio Nelson

Naval defeat by Britain

Coup d’etat

Quick overthrow of the government

Overthrew the Directory

Seized political power in France

18th Brumaire (11/9/1799)

Date of Napoleon’s coup

1799 – Established consulate

Took control as First Consul

1800 – Plebiscite gives him authority as First Consul

Popular vote legitimized leadership

1804 – Declares himself Emperor

Crowning as Emperor of France

Age of Napoleon (1799-1815)

Period of Napoleon’s rule

“Death is nothing

but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily.”

“Ability is nothing without opportunity.”

Quote about using talents effectively

“History is a set of lies agreed upon.”

Quote on perspective of history

“Impossible is a word to be found only in the dictionary of fools.”

Quote on ambition

Congress of Vienna

Meeting to restore order and peace in Europe (1814-1815)

Four major victors

Great Britain

Guiding Principles – Legitimacy

Restoring old ruling houses to power

Guiding Principles – Stability

Establishing a balance of power

Purpose of Congress

Create peace and stability in Europe

Goals – Strengthen countries surrounding France

Redraw territories for stronger neighbors

Goals – Create balance of power

Ensure no single country dominates Europe

Goals – Legitimacy

Restore monarchs to thrones

Securing the Peace – Holy Alliance

Russia

Securing the Peace – Concert of Europe

Military alliance to maintain stability and support one another

Consequences – Diminished size and power of France

France weakened politically

Consequences – Revolutions in Latin America

Inspired colonial uprisings

Consequences – Spread of nationalism

Rise of national identity movements

Consequences – Lasting peace for almost 100 years

Period of relative European stability

Conservatism

Restoring traditional order; hierarchy; elite rule; disliked bourgeoisie

Liberalism

Supported individualism

Radicalism

Advocated universal manhood suffrage and democracy