Transcript Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon
Bonaparte
A Child of the Revolution?
Think About This Quote---You Will Be Asked
Later You If You Agree---Why or Why Not?
"I closed the gulf of anarchy and brought
order out of chaos. I rewarded merit
regardless of birth or wealth, wherever I
found it. I abolished feudalism and restored
equality to all regardless of religion and before
the law. I fought the decrepit monarchies of
the Old Regime because the alternative was
the destruction of all this. I purified the
Revolution.“
-Napoleon Bonaparte
Early Life
• Born (1769) to a poor family in Corsica
(Italian by culture, but French owned)
• Moved to mainland France in 1778 to
study in military college.
• Studied French philosophy
-Analyzed famous military
campaigns and strategy
• 1785 he joined the
French military.
On the Rise…
• The revolution provided Napoleon with the
perfect opportunity to take advantage of his
knowledge and talents.
• France was at war with Austria, Prussia,
as well as England (called First
Coalition)
• Also fighting counter-revolutionaries
• Napoleon used his knowledge to bring
victory
• – ie. Siege of Toulon, 1793
• Becomes a General at 24 years old
• Supported Jacobins and the Republic!
The Directory
• The chaos of the Reign of Terror resulted in
the change from National Convention to
The Directory in 1795.
• Royalists were uprising in Paris, so the army
was sent in…
What does Napoleon do?
“FIRE!!!!”
Napoleon took
the chance to
show his
decisiveness by
ordering his
soldiers to fire
into the mob
“Saviour of
The Directory”
“Whiff of Grapeshot”
Taking Power
• By 1799, after more military
victories, Napoleon was a
national hero
But…
• He was upset by the weakness of the
revolutionary government and the
lack of stability
• In November 1799, Napoleon carried
out a “coup d’etat,” and took control
of the government.
First Consul
• Napoleon leads
democratic
government with the
title of First Consul
• Main goal was to
bring stability to
France
Napoleon as First Consul
“Order, Security, and Efficiency”
• Concordat of 1801 – Peace with the Pope
– Recognizes Catholic Church and religious toleration
• Napoleonic Code 1804– Reflects Enlightenment ideas
• Equality of all men in the eyes of the law and taxation
• Meritocracy: No recognition by birthright (can make your
own way by working hard)
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom to find an occupation of choice
• -Still the basis for French law TODAY!
• Lycees – Government-run high schools and colleges –
training for engineers and teachers. Future opportunity
now based on academic achievement, not social status
Napoleonic Code
Strengths and Weaknesses
• Strengths
• Weaknesses
– Guaranteed civil
– Women could not vote
liberties
– Wife owed obedience
– Continued the social
to her husband
aims towards the
– Minors had few rights
French Revolution
– Males were given more
– Protected the
freedoms than Women
interest of the
in French Society
middle class
Economic Reforms
• Set up a special bank to guarantee 5% interest
rates on bonds
• Set up the Bank of France to issue bank notes
• Silver and gold coins were standardized
• Provided financial stability
• Industrial and commercial growth began
Meanwhile, the fighting with Europe
continued….
Wars from the French Revolution
developed into the…
Napoleonic
Wars
Napoleon Crossing the Alps (1800)
Napoleon on
his way to
conquer Italy.
Austria would
soon follow.
Not …
More likely …
Art as Propaganda
Emperor
Became Emperor for life in 1804
after winning a plebiscite
(yes or no vote)
-Declared by THE PEOPLE
-Became a dictatorship
-Censorship,
-Secret police
-Executions
But because Napoleon was a dedicated leader who worked 18
hour days, listened to the advice of others, and provided
political and economic stability, the people accepted it.
The Creation of an Empire
• 1804-1814: Napoleon creates an empire by annexing or
holding territory.
– Netherlands
-Attempts Spain
– Belgium
-Austria
– Parts of Italy
– Parts of Germany
• Many countries signed treaties with France to avoid conflict
• Napoleon placed relatives on the thrones of several places
to solidify his control
• Spread Napoleonic Code wherever he took control.
• Attempted to invade England but was defeated
Napoleonic Europe, 1810
Napoleon’s Tactics
“Military Genius”
• Divide and Conquer – Split the enemy in two
and flank them from one side.
• The enemy will be literally half the size after
the one side is annihilated
• Reconnaissance – Search for gaps
• Concentrate artillery fire on these gaps
• Napoleon increased the use of artillery
Invasion of Russia (1812) Napoleon goes in with
500,000 + troops, comes back with 10-20,000
Russia:
Napoleon’s
Big Mistake
Weakened France enough
for Europe to get together
and force him to give up
his power in 1814.
But would that be the end
Of Napoleon Bonaparte?
We will find out later