In-Depth Notes on Napoleon Bonaparte and the Congress of Vienna

Early Life
- Born in 1769 in Corsica, a French-occupied island.
- From a noble yet impoverished family.
- Enrolled in military school in France at the age of 10.
- Supported the French Revolution in 1789, adopting the name 'Bonaparte'.

1796-1799
- Became the Commander of the French army in Italy.
- Identified by Director Sieyes as a potential leader for the government.
- Coordinated the coup d'état of 18th Brumaire (November 9, 1799), leading to the formation of the Consulate.
- Assumed sole power as dictator from 1802 until becoming Emperor in 1804.

Key Policies and Actions
- Abolished free elections to consolidate power.
- Restored the Catholic Church's influence under limited terms while maintaining religious freedom.
- Discarded the revolutionary calendar but retained the metric system.
- Reintroduced slavery in the French colonies.
Military Victories and Expansion
- By 1802, France had achieved military victories over Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and parts of the German states.
- The Peace of Amiens (1802) recognized French authority in continental Europe.
- Crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804, emphasizing his consolidation of power.
Leadership Qualities
- Regarded as a brilliant strategist; utilized a mix of combat divisions and battle formations.
- Opened military officer roles based on merit due to revolutionary principles, fostering strong loyalty.
Civil Code of 1804
- Established principles including:
- Legal equality among men.
- Freedom of religion.
- Promotion of meritocracy, although stripped women of rights and restricted press and labor associations.

Combined Military Campaigns
- Sought to conquer British and Russian territories simultaneously, which strained French resources.
- Launched the Peninsular War against Britain, leading to prolonged conflict until France's defeat in 1813.
Russian Campaign of 1812
- Invaded Russia with an army of 600,000; faced strategic retreat.
- Arrived in an abandoned and burnt Moscow in September 1812, leading to eventual disastrous retreat.
- Lost 560,000 soldiers, returning with only 40,000.
Political Maneuvering
- Diminished military strength prompted bureaucrats to plot against him.
- Abdicated in April 1814, leading to the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy under Louis XVIII.

Escape and Last Stand
- Louis XVIII’s unpopularity fueled Napoleon’s escape from exile on Elba in March 1815.
- Returned to power, amassing an army of 200,000 before meeting allies at Waterloo.
- Ultimately defeated by a coalition of allied forces in June 1815.
- Exiled to Saint Helena, where he died in 1821.
Casualties of the Revolutionary Period
- Estimated 3-4 million deaths resulting from revolutionary actions from 1789 to 1815.
- Notable quote by Napoleon: “I live only for posterity, death is nothing, but to live defeated and without glory is to die every day.”

Initial Steps
- Diplomatic negotiations started in October 1814, focusing on European restoration.
- Key diplomats included those from Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Britain.
Decisions Made
- Restored Louis XVIII to French throne and reduced French territory, avoiding reparations.
- Establishment of a balance of power to prevent dominance by any single state.
Post-Waterloo Agreements
- After Napoleon’s defeat, France faced reparations of 700 million francs and a five-year allied occupation.

Metternich’s Influence
- Leading conservative figure, imposed autocratic governance and opposed revolutionary individualism.
- Advocated for the restoration of monarchies and privilege for the nobility.
Revolt Suppression
- Conservatism challenged by revolts in Spain, Portugal, Naples, and Prussia post-1820.
- Military intervention by the Big Four to quash dissent and restore stability.
- Despite these actions, some concessions were made in response to various uprisings.