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Napoleon Bonaparte . A military genius, seizes power in France and makes himself emperor . Who is Napoleon and how did he gain so much power?. Born in Corsica, went to military school and joined the army
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Napoleon Bonaparte A military genius, seizes power in France and makes himself emperor
Who is Napoleon and how did he gain so much power? • Born in Corsica, went to military school and joined the army • By 1795 he has made his way to France and helps defeat the royalist when they attack the National Convention- helps beat Italy and hides defeats in Egypt from the public • Coup d'état: • November 1799- he seizes power • Beats back attacks from England, Russia and Austria, who all join forces to fight against him
Napoleons Reforms • Vote of approval and new constitution via plebiscite- vote of the people • He creates a national bank and efficient tax collection system • Establishes lycees- government run public schools to train officials • Signs Concordat- an agreement restoring Catholicism in France • Napoleonic Code- uniform set of laws
Napoleon Creates an Empire • Sells the Louisiana Territory to U.S. for $15 million in 1803 – helps him focus on taking over Europe • Britain, Russia, Austria, Sweden join forces • Napoleon crushes most opponents, forcing Austria, Russia and Sweden to sign peace treaties • 1805-Battle of Trafalgar- Napoleon tries to attack England – but their naval forces prove too strong, Napoleon gives up invading England
Napoleon’s Empire Collapses: Costly Mistakes • Blockade and Continental System fail to impact England • Peninsular War: invades Spain to attack Portugal – Spain protests, Napoleon puts brother in as king – Spain uses guerrilla warfare to fight French troops – losing 300,000 soldiers • Invasion of Russia: Invades with 420,000 -600,000 men in June 1812- Russians use Scorched-earth policy- by September Napoleon reaches Moscow only to find it burning, he must retreat across Europe in harsh winter conditions – only 100,000 men survive
Napoleon’s Downfall • With only a small fraction of his army remaining, Napoleon is finally defeated by England, Prussia, Sweden, Russia and Austria – exiled to Elba • Hundred Days! • Napoleon returns with help from loyal soldiers, overthrows Louis XVIII • Battle of Waterloo- England and Prussian forces defeat Napoleon, for good – exiled further away to St. Helena
Congress of Vienna • A meeting intended to restore order and reestablish peace in Europe • European nations do not want to carve up France but weaken it while making surrounding nations stronger • Strengthened Legitimacy- restoring monarchs to their thrones • Peace lasts almost 40 years