Transcript The French Revolution and Napoleon

The French Revolution and
Napoleon
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

Napoleon
Bonaparte- grew up
in Corsica. At an
early age went to
the military.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

Because he was not of nobility he was told he
would have no future in the military.
 Through many genius moves, Napoleon
would rise in rank quickly.
 To reward Napoleon for his victories he was
given the lead of the French Armies to fight
Austria.
 Becomes a 26-year-old officer
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Upon returning to France, the people
lost faith in the Directory (Robespierre
and his council) and asked Napoleon to
lead France.
 Napoleon led a “Coup” that took over.
 In 1804 Napoleon was named Emperor
by the people of France.

The French Revolution and
Napoleon

He was democratically chosen but held all
power.
 Napoleon used his vast powers to restore
order in France.
 Restored the economy and balanced the
French budget.
 In 1804 Napoleon instituted the Napoleonic
Code (France’s first legal system)
The French Revolution and
Napoleon


Napoleonic Code- Guaranteed religious
tolerations and granted equal rights before
the law to people of all classes.
Napoleon tried to extend his powers into
nearby countries.
 Because of this; Britain, Austria, Prussia and
Sweden formed a coalition to stop him.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Napoleon quickly defeated this Coalition.
He even came close to defeating the
British however the Naval superiority
held the island.
Who was going to stop him??
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

By 1810 Napoleon ruled an empire that
stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the
border of Russia.

As they marched across Europe they
spread French Ideas
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

Napoleon did not recognize the limits of
his powers.
Because of the failure to see his limit,
Napoleon made 3 disastrous
misjudgments that led to his downfall.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
1. Cut trade from Britain and the rest of
Europe. (Since England controlled the
seas they actually cut trade off to
Europe)

This upset many allies in Europe
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
2. Misjudging the power of Nationalism.

Just as it helped France in the late
1700’s. It will help Germany and Spain
protect themselves against Napoleon.

Guerrilla warriors will attack the French
often. (300,000 men will be lost)
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
3. Invading Russia
 Led by Czar Alexander will refuse to
stop selling grain to France. Because of
this Napoleon will direct his attention to
them.
 Napoleon expected an easy victory over
the small Russian armies
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Invading Russia (cont)
 Alexander will use the “scorched earth”
policy as they lure Napoleon inside
Russia.
 By the time he arrived in Moscow,
everything was gone.
 France retreated, suffering many loses.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Sensing that Napoleon had been
weakened, Britain formed an alliance
with other European powers.
 Members of this alliance sought to gain
their lands back.
 Within a year, the allies had defeated
Napoleon and exiled him to the island of
Elba.

The French Revolution and
Napoleon
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There on Elba, Napoleon was to die and
never be seen again….
Oh but wait there is more!!!!
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Napoleon will escape and return to
France.
 A wave of enthusiasm will sweep
France.
 Thousands of citizens will create a new
Army under Napoleon.

The French Revolution and
Napoleon
In 1815 British and Prussian armies will
rush towards France.
 They will meet at a small Belgium
village named Waterloo.
 There, the opposing armies waged
desperate battles, with the outcome
unclear until the very end.

The French Revolution and
Napoleon
Until finally a victory was won.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

In the end, Napoleon’s troops were
exhausted and retreated.

Napoleon was captured again and sent
to the island of St. Helena this time
where he lived for the next 6 years and
died.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon

Connecting Past and Present
As you have seen, the storming of the Bastille
launched the French Revolution and helped
to remove Louis XVI from power. The French
Revolution, however, changed far more than
that. It became a vast political and social
upheaval that influenced events around the
world.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
The ideals of liberty, equality, and
fraternity have inspired many oppressed
people to revolt against tyranny.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
While the French Revolution provided
many reasons for celebrating, it also
gave important warnings about the
excesses of power. While claiming to
defend liberty, Robespierre used the
Reign of Terror to eliminate his rivals.
Napoleon used his democratic
processes to destroy democracy and
seize power.
The French Revolution and
Napoleon
As you will see, Hitler and other modern
dictators have also used those same
strategies to gain power.