The Rise & Fall of Napoleon

1. The Rise & Fall of Napoleon

2. Rise of Napoleon • Became military leader after Robspierre executed • Still at war with Britain, Austria, & Russia • Defeated Austria in 1797 using rapid movement • Freed locals wherever he went • 1799 – Became ruler of France

3. Rise of Napoleon • Negotiated peace with European powers • Introduced domestic reforms • New legal code – Combined traditional laws with ideas from Revolution • 1804 – Crowned himself emperor • At war with Europe again, only Britain by 1805 • New French Empire covered most of Europe

4. Fall of Napoleon • Causes: • Inability to invade England • Economic problems due to boycott of British goods • Disliked by most Europeans • Conquests ignited nationalist feelings • 1809 – Spain revolted

5. Fall of Napoleon • 1812 – Invades Russia (600,000 Troops) • Defeated Russians • Tsar Alexander I refused to surrender • Russians burned Moscow to ground • Napoleon defeated on retreat (Disease, Hunger, Suicide) • Overthrown after returning to Paris

6. Fall of Napoleon • King Louis XVIII put in charge • Napoleon reemerged in 1815, defeated @ Battle of Waterloo • Sent to prison where he later died

7. Impact of Napoleon • France – Created stability by establishing Code Napoleon, law code combined social equality, religious tolerance, & trial by jury • Europe – Introduced ideas from French Revolution & ended feudal restrictions • World – Sparked nationalism, ended Spain’s Latin American colonial power, sold Louisiana Territory

8. Congress of Vienna • Goal – Settle issues arising from French Revolution & Napoleonic Wars • Restored many former rulers & borders • Celebrated Napoleon’s defeat • Leaders of Britain, Russia, Austria, & Prussia met privately for major decisions • Wanted to establish balance of power (no single country could dominate others)

9. Congress of Vienna • Accomplished this by combining smaller countries • Abolished slave trade & granted rights to German Jews • William Wilberforce – Leading voice in abolishing slave trade

10. Spirit of Nationalism • Nationalism – Belief that each ethnic group is entitled to its own government & homeland • French Revolution started this idea in Europe by teaching that government should be based on the will of the people. • Despite growing nationalism, Congress of Vienna failed to take into account the desire of the people to control their own governments

11. The Metternich Era • Prince Klemens von Matternich of Austria was one of the leaders of the Congress of Vienna • Played pivotal role in preventing attempts at nationalism or political change • Many European nations attempted revolutions, but were defeated by the Austrian or Russian Army • Greece & Belgium succeeded, and France overthrew their monarchy again & established a new constitutional monarchy

12. The Revolutions of 1848 • 1848 considered a turning point of the 19th Century • Constitutional Monarchy of France overthrown, & a republic was established • This inspires revolutions in Italy, Germany, Austria, & Hungary • By 1849 the combined Austrian & Russian armies proved to be too much for the revolutionaries