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The Age of Napoleon Begins. Rise to Power Napoleon’s France Creating an Empire. Napoleon Bonaparte. Born in 1769 on the Island of Corsica. His family were nobles but had little money. At age 9 he was sent to France to begin training for a military career.
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The Age of Napoleon Begins Rise to Power Napoleon’s France Creating an Empire
Napoleon Bonaparte • Born in 1769 on the Island of Corsica. • His family were nobles but had little money. • At age 9 he was sent to France to begin training for a military career. • By the beginning of the revolution, he was 20 years old and eager to make a name for himself.
Early Successes • Defeated the British and pushed them out of the French Port of Toulon. • Won huge victories against the Austrian Empire in Northern Italy forcing the Austrian Emperor to make peace. • These victories catapulted Napoleon into huge popularity and gave him tons of leverage politically.
Victorious General to Political Leader Getting Rid of the Directory Creation of the “Consulate” A three man governing board. Wrote another constitution. Napoleon quickly takes the title of “First Consul” In 1802, Napoleon had himself named consul for life. (very much like a monarch) • In 1799, Napoleon helped overthrow the weak “Directory.” • The Directory had failed to bring France back into prosperity. • Napoleon, having proven himself as a leader will have the support he needs to move to the top.
Napoleon as Emperor • By 1804, Napoleon’s power as First Consul and his overwhelming popularity is enough for him to assume the title of Emperor of France. • He invited the Pope to his coronation but took the crown and placed it on his own head as it to show that he owed his thrown to no one. • At each step in Napoleon’s rise he held a plebiscite, a ballot in which voters say yes or no. Each time, the French people supported him.
How did Napoleon fix France? Reforms • To restore economic prosperity Napoleon controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built roads and canals. • Also set up a public school system under strict government control. • Made peace with the Catholic Church who the revolutionaries had tried to punish. • Invited emigres to return (with an oath of loyalty) • Recognized peasant’s rights to land
The Napoleonic Code • Napoleon’s new law code. • Embodied Enlightenment principles like the equality of all citizens before the law, religious toleration, and advancement based on merit. • However, undid some reforms of the French Revolution: - Women lost most of their newly gained rights. - Male heads of household regained control of their families. - Napoleon valued order and authority over individual rights.
Building an Empire • 1804-1814: Napoleon expanded his military power to all of Europe. • As he marched his armies across Europe, Napoleon redrew the map of Europe, annexing each new territory into the French Empire. • He took over the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany. • Nationalism grew in France- as Napoleon won more battles they had more parades and celebrations at home.
France versus Britain • Britain was just about the only country in Europe that France didn’t control. • Since Britain was an Island nation and France controlled most of mainland France, Napoleon instituted the “Continental System,” which established blockades in all French controlled ports of mainland Europe. • The continental system was an attempt to weaken Britain by restricting their trade with the rest of Europe. • As Trade was restricted in Europe, prices went up, increasing resentment against French Power.
