The Fall of Napoleon

The Fall of Napoleon Revolutions Day 5 Notes

It’s been a long chapter… • How bout some review!!!

The ruler of France before the French Revolution was… • Robespierre • Louis XVI • Marat • Napoleon

The bourgeoisie belonged to this estate in France… • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th

If you believed Louis should stay in power you were… • Conservative • Radical • Moderate

Opinion: Did Louis and Marie Antoinette deserve their fate? • Yes • No

This person was the leader during the Reign of Terror… • Napoleon • Robespierre • Louis XVI • Marie Antoinette

Which man was not beheaded at the Guillotine… • Louis XVI • Danton • Robespierre • Napoleon

Which country had France not conquered under Napoleon? • Britain • Russia

Napoleon’s enemies… • Britain felt extremely threatened by a growing France. • They were France’s top rival and enemy. • Countries like Spain and Portugal depended on Britain for trade. • Russia began trading with Britain in 1812, infuriating their now former ally Napoleon. • The idea of Nationalism started popping up in conquered territories.

Conflict with Britain… • Britain feels their control of the seas threatened as France grows in the early 1800s. • Napoleon tries in 1805 to invade Britain by sea. • The French are stopped by forces led by Admiral Horatio Nelson and Britain is saved from invasion. • Yet, Napoleon’s troops remain strong on land. • Britain recruits Austria, Russia, and Sweden to fight France on land. • They are easily crushed by 1809. • Meanwhile, Britain and France set up blockades on each other.

Conflict with Russia • After being defeated Czar Alexander I allies Russia with Napoleon. • In 1812 he goes back on his word however, and begins trading with Britain. • Napoleon is infuriated, and decides to invade Russia. • Recruits 600,000 men from all over his empire to march east to Russia. • They are called the Grand Army!

The Scorched Earth Policy • The Russians knew they had no chance, so they decided to retreat in a practice called the scorched-earth policy. • They burned or destroyed crops and housing while retreating, leaving nothing that the Grand Army might use. • When the Grand Army reached Moscow they entered the city as the buildings were set on fire. • There was nothing to eat and no place to stay as the harsh Russian winter approached. • Nearly 400,000 members of the French army died while retreating back to France as they were attacked on the streets on the way back. • The Russians then invaded France.

Napoleon’s Defeat • Kings in Europe who were allies with Napoleon quickly turned on him. • Prussia, Austria, and Britain all joined Russia to crush Napoleon. • They had Napoleon retreating and captured Paris in March 1814. • The Allies banished Napoleon to a small island off the coast of Italy, and brought a king back to power. • King Louis XVIII, the brother of Louis XVI, was now the new king of France, but had little power in France’s constitutional monarchy.

But wait just a minute…. Napoleon ain’t done yet!!!!

Defeat at Waterloo • The new king and queen made many enemies in France. • Supporters of Napoleon helped him escape from Elba island and return to France in 1815. • Napoleon rallied the French army and led them into Paris. • Louis XVIII runs into hiding as Napoleon returns to power in March 1815. • Allied powers send armies to stop Napoleon again. • June 1815, Napoleon is given final defeat at Waterloo in Belgium. • Was exiled for rest of life, but legend grew after his death.

Napoleon’s impact… • He has become a French legend after death. • The Napoleonic Code was spread throughout his empire. • He introduced modern military tactics throughout Europe. • Unintentionally, he increased feelings of nationalism in countries that became aware of France’s loyalty and patriotism to their nation. • The Declaration of the Rights of Man was an inspiration to the peoples of many countries across Europe in gaining individual rights.

Your choice… • Louis XVI • Robespierre • Napoleon

The Fall of Napoleon