AP Euro French Revolution Part 2

Rise to Power:

  1. Military Prowess:

    • Napoleon rose rapidly through the ranks during the French Revolutionary Wars, gaining fame for victories in Italy (1796–1797) and Egypt (1798–1799).

    • His military success and charisma earned him the support of both soldiers and the public.

  2. Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799):

    • Napoleon capitalized on political instability in the French Directory to stage a coup, establishing himself as First Consul of France and consolidating executive power.

  3. Coronation as Emperor (1804):

    • Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French, symbolizing his authority and ambition while distancing himself from both monarchical and revolutionary traditions.

Political Impact:

  1. Wars of Expansion:

    • Napoleon sought to dominate Europe through military campaigns, creating the Grand Empire that included France, satellite states, and allied territories.

    • Key victories like Austerlitz (1805) and Jena-Auerstedt (1806) expanded French influence, while defeats such as the disastrous Russian campaign (1812) marked the beginning of his decline.

    • These wars spread revolutionary ideals like nationalism and legal equality but also caused massive devastation and resistance in occupied territories.

  2. Domestic Reforms:

    • Napoleonic Code (1804):

      • Napoleon’s civil code standardized laws across his empire, promoting equality before the law, property rights, and secular governance.

      • However, it also reinforced patriarchal authority, limiting women’s rights, particularly in marriage and property ownership.

    • Centralized Governance:

      • Napoleon restructured the French administration, strengthening state control through efficient bureaucracy and educational reforms.

  3. Limitations on Women:

    • The Napoleonic Code curtailed women’s legal rights, making them subordinate to their husbands in family matters and restricting their ability to own property independently.

    • These policies rolled back some of the gains women had made during the French Revolution, reflecting Napoleon’s conservative views on gender roles.

  4. Legacy of the Grand Empire:

    • Napoleon’s empire spread Enlightenment ideals, modernized legal systems, and inspired nationalist movements in regions like Germany, Italy, and Spain.

    • However, his domination also provoked resistance, leading to coalitions against France and ultimately his defeat at Waterloo (1815).

Key Factors in Napoleon’s Fall:

  1. Continental System (1806–1814):

    • Napoleon imposed an economic blockade against Britain, aiming to weaken its economy by prohibiting trade with continental Europe.

    • The system backfired, as it hurt European economies more than Britain’s, fueling resentment and noncompliance among allies and occupied territories (e.g., Portugal and Spain).

    • British naval dominance ensured the blockade’s limited effectiveness, undermining Napoleon’s credibility and authority.

  2. Invasion of Russia (1812):

    • Napoleon’s decision to invade Russia, prompted by Russia’s withdrawal from the Continental System, was a catastrophic miscalculation.

    • The campaign faced logistical challenges, harsh weather, and scorched-earth tactics by the Russians, leading to the decimation of Napoleon’s Grand Army.

    • The defeat shattered Napoleon’s aura of invincibility and emboldened his enemies.

  3. Abdication and Exile (1814):

    • Following defeats in the War of the Sixth Coalition (1813–1814), including the pivotal Battle of Leipzig, Allied forces invaded France and captured Paris.

    • Napoleon abdicated in April 1814 and was exiled to the island of Elba, marking the temporary end of his rule.

  4. Hundred Days and Waterloo (1815):

    • Napoleon escaped from Elba in 1815 and returned to power for a brief period known as the Hundred Days.

    • His return reignited fears among European powers, leading to the formation of the Seventh Coalition.

    • At the Battle of Waterloo (June 1815), Napoleon was decisively defeated by British and Prussian forces, led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, respectively.

    • He was subsequently exiled to Saint Helena, where he spent the remainder of his life.

  5. Congress of Vienna (1814–1815):

    • The Congress of Vienna sought to restore order and balance of power in Europe after Napoleon’s wars.

    • Chaired by Austrian diplomat Klemens von Metternich, it reestablished monarchies and redrew European borders to prevent future French aggression.

    • The principles of legitimacy and stability guided decisions, aiming to curb revolutionary ideals spread during Napoleon’s reign.

  6. Quadruple Alliance:

    • The coalition of Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, formed during Napoleon’s campaigns, remained united in opposition to his return during the Hundred Days.

    • Their military and diplomatic efforts ensured Napoleon’s final defeat and exile.

  7. Restoration of the Bourbon Dynasty:

    • After Napoleon’s first abdication, Louis XVIII, brother of the executed Louis XVI, was installed as king of France.

    • The Bourbon restoration aimed to reestablish monarchical rule while incorporating some revolutionary changes, such as a constitutional monarchy under the Charter of 1814.

    • Napoleon’s return briefly disrupted the restoration, but Louis XVIII resumed the throne after Waterloo, signaling the end of Napoleon’s political influence.