Unit 8 Module 6 Part 1

When the Revolution broke out in 1789, who did Napoleon side with and why?

Napoleon sided with the revolutionaries because was already familiar with Enlightenment ideas and resented the aristocratic pretensions of those around him.

How did Napoleon attract attention in 1793?

He attracted attention in 1793 because of his role in the recapture of Toulon.

How did Napoleon become the hero of the Convention 2 years after the recapture of Toulon?

2 years after the recapture of Toulon, the National Convention called on him to quell a threatening Parisian crowd. Using artillery, Napoleon quickly dispersed the crowd and thus became the hero of the Convention.

Who did Napoleon fall in love with and marry?

He fell in love with and married the politically well-connected Josephine de Beauharnais, a 32-year-old widow eager to provide security for her children.

What did Napoleon use to secure command of the French army still fighting in northern Italy?

He used his growing prominence to secure command of the French army still fighting in northern Italy.

How did Napoleon galvanize the lethargic French forces in northern Italy into defeating the Austrians and Sardinians?

Calling his forces "soldiers of liberty" and announcing to the people of Italy that "the French army comes to break your chains", he skillfully galvanized the lethargic French forces into defeating the Austrians and Sardinians.

In 1797, what did Napoleon negotiate?

He negotiated the favorable Treaty of Campo Formio with Austria, which recognized French expansion and the creation of the Cisalpine Republic in northern Italy.

Over the next 2 years after Napoleon negotiated the Treaty of Campo Formio, where did French armies move?

Over the next 2 years, French armies moved south, helping to set up more French-controlled republics throughout the Italian peninsula.

What established Napoleon's reputation as a brilliant military leader and able statesman?

Napoleon's successes in Italy established his reputation as a brilliant military leader and able statesman.

Why did Napoleon and the Directory conclude that an expedition to Egypt would be beneficial?

An expedition to Egypt would deal a telling blow to British commerce with its colonies in Asia. Egypt could also serve as the foundation for a new French colony. Moreover, a conquest there might enhance Napoleon's image as a daring, heroic conqueror.

Why did the expedition to Egypt end up being a failure?

It failed, despite some spectacular battlefield successes from France, because Admiral Nelson (one of Britain's most admired naval commanders) destroyed the French fleet at the Battle of the Nile. On land, the expedition persisted for a while, but it was doomed by a lack of supplies and reinforcements.

How did Napoleon avoid personal disaster in Egypt?

He avoided personal disaster by slipping back to France with a few chosen followers, cleverly controlling the reports from Egypt and emphasizing the expedition's scientific explorations, exotic discoveries, and few victories.

How did the expedition to Egypt make matters take a bad turn for the Directory?

The expedition to Egypt prompted Great Britain, Austria, and Russia to join in a new coalition that defeated French armies and threatened to invade France itself. Eyeing this foreign threat, as well as bankruptcy, rival factions within France vied for power over the government.

What did the conservative faction led by Directory member Abbe Sieyes conclude would gain them needed control of the government?

It concluded that a coup d'etat would gain them needed control over the government.

The coup d'etat planned by Abbe Sieyes provided Napoleon with?

It provided Napoleon with another opportunity to advance his career. So, he conspired with Abbe Sieyes to overthrow the Directory.

What did Abbe Sieyes and his conspirators incorrectly expect Napoleon to be after they overthrew the Directory?

They incorrectly expected Napoleon to be merely a popular figurehead representing authority, and that in reality, they would be the ones governing the country.

True or false: Napoleon quickly outmaneuvered his partners (Abbe Sieyes and his conservative faction) after the coup d'etat.

True: Napoleon quickly outmaneuvered his partners (Abbe Sieyes and his conservative faction) after the coup d'etat.

Napoleon had a new "short and obscure" constitution drawn up and accepted by?

He had a new "short and obscure" constitution drawn up and accepted by members of the old legislature. In a national plebiscite where people could vote to accept or reject the constitution, the French overwhelmingly accepted it (though the government falsified the results to give it a more lopsided victory).

True or false: At both the national and local levels, Napoleon ended meaningful democracy in France.

True: At both the national and local levels, Napoleon ended meaningful democracy in France.

How did Napoleon end meaningful democracy in France at the NATIONAL level?

By naming himself "first consul" and assuming the powers necessary to rule - all with the ready support of the Senate. The remaining 2 consuls, as well as the voters and the handpicked legislative bodies they thought were electing, had only minimal powers.

How did Napoleon end meaningful democracy in France at the LOCAL level?

By placing each of France's 83 departments under the control of a powerful agent of the central government - the prefect.

True or false: After becoming first consul, Napoleon, with the touch of a skilled authoritarian politician, proceeded to gather support.

True: After becoming first consul, Napoleon, with the touch of a skilled authoritarian politician, proceeded to gather support.

Who did Napoleon welcome into his service?

He welcomed former Old Regime officials as well as moderate Jacobins into his service.

How did Napoleon win the favor of the peasantry?

By approving the end of serfdom and feudal privileges as well as all transfers of property that had occurred during the Revolution, Napoleon won favor with the peasantry.

How did Napoleon gain the backing of the middle class?

He gained the backing of the middle class by affirming the property rights and formal equality before the law that adult males had secured during the Revolution.

True or false: Napoleon welcomed back to France all but the most reactionary emigres, most of whom had come from France's old aristocracy.

True: Napoleon welcomed back to France all but the most reactionary emigres, most of whom had come from France's old aristocracy.

Why did the educated elite admire Napoleon?

They admired Napoleon because he was a patron of science and he invited leading scientists to join him in his government.

To deter opposition, what did Napoleon do?

To deter opposition, he created a secret police force, suppressed independent political organizations, and censored newspapers and artistic works.

What did Napoleon create for those who displayed the highest loyalty to him and those who made the most spectacular achievements (particularly in the military)?

For these people, he created the prestigious Legion of Honor.

Keenly aware of the political and social importance of religion, who did Napoleon make peace with?

Keenly aware of the political and social importance of religion, Napoleon made peace with the pope and ended the 10-year struggle between the French revolutionary governments and the Roman Catholic Church.

What did Napoleon and the pope's Concordat (formal agreement) of 1801 declare?

It declared the Catholic religion the religion of the majority of the French people but ensured freedom for the Protestants. Later, Napoleon granted new rights to Jews as well.

Under Napoleon's rule, what restrictions were there on the power of the Catholic Church?

Under Napoleon's rule, the clergy was paid by the state and required to take an oath of allegiance to the state. Confiscated Catholic Church property was also not returned.