Napoleon Bonaparte

I. the 2 periods of the reign of Napoleon

1 consulate: 1799 – 1804 => Napoleon appoints himself consul (Roman antiquity)

2 Empire: 1804 – 1815 => Napoleon crowns himself Emperor

II. Characteristics of Napoleon's administration.

1) in France itself

• politics: The consulate and the empire are distorted dictatorships. Napoleon takes all power to himself. On the other hand, he does apply the ideas of the Enlightenment. Ex. Code Napoleon = Civil Code

• to the Church: Napoleon concludes a concordat with the Pope, and reconciles with the Church. Religious freedom is preserved.

• economic: economic revival under Napoleon - he stimulated France's own economy through the continental blockade (i.e. the prohibition on the mainland to trade with the English) RESULT: cultivation of new products: potatoes, sugar beet, chicory - The industry is mechanized : mainly in textile and arms industry. - Modernization of highways - Financial stability through the creation of the National Bank

=> economy comes to an end due to the numerous wars of Napoleon

2) Napoleon becomes boss in Europe:

• Nepotism: relatives of Napoleon are placed on the throne Eg: in Naples / Spain

• Alliances: Vb Austria & Prussia

• Wars: “La grande Armée” - until 1813 with success - first defeat in Russia in 1814 => Russians apply scorched earth tactics (Russians themselves burn their fields and buildings) => Winter breaks out when Napoleon reaches Moscow - second defeat at Leipzig by a European coalition 1814 - Napoleon is exiled to Elba - 1815 Napoleon returns, but is definitively defeated at Waterloo 1815 - Exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.