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The Napoleonic Era. Post-Revolution France. Napoleon Bonaparte. From General to Emperor. General of the French army Overthrew the Directory First Consul Emperor of the French Democratic Despotism. The Napoleonic Code.
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The Napoleonic Era Post-Revolution France
From General to Emperor General of the French army Overthrew the Directory First Consul Emperor of the French Democratic Despotism
The Napoleonic Code • Order, security and efficiency replaced liberty, equality, and fraternity • Infrastructure and education • Restoration of Catholic Church under state control • Improved middle class with economic reforms • Government jobs based on merit • Equality before the law, religious toleration, and the abolition of feudalism
The Grand Empire • Military control of most of Europe • Brilliant military tactician • Annexed Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany
The Battle of Trafalgar • French set their sights on Great Britain • Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson led the British navy against the French • The French fleet lost 22 ships • The English lost none • Admiral Nelson was mortally wounded but lived to see the victory • “Thank God I have done my duty”
The Continental System • Attacked Britain’s economy by closing European ports to British goods • Britain’s navy maintained open trade routes with America and India • Rising prices caused by scarcity of goods • Nationalism in Spain and Austria disrupted French influence and diverted troops • Nationalism: devotion and loyalty to one's own nation
Invasion of Russia: 1812 • 600,000 soldiers and 50,000 horses • Russian scorched-earth policy • Long supply lines, lack of food and shelter • Could not sustain army for the whole winter • Retreated in October • Only 20,000 French soldiers returned from the 1000-mile retreat
French Decline • Unified European armies defeated a weakened Napoleon in 1813 • Napoleon abdicated and was banished • Louis XVIII was crowned king • Napoleon escaped and returned in 1815 • Popular support lasted for 100 days until his defeat at the Battle of Waterloo by a combined army of European allies
Congress of Vienna • Gathering of Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and France • Strengthened the countries surrounding France • Restored governments as they were in 1792 • The Quadruple Alliance (Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia) would endure for 100 years • Overlooked rising nationalism
Napoleon’s Legacy • Napoleonic Code included French Revolution ideas • Constitutional elections were common • More access to education and property rights • Many rights of the Revolution were restricted • Conquest ignited nationalism throughout Europe that would provoke future revolutions
Discussion Questions • Was Napoleon a national hero or a tyrant? • What makes a leader a hero or a tyrant? • Who are some modern heroes and tyrants?