Napoleon's Rise to Power: From Lieutenant to Emperor in 6 Years

1. 12.4- The Age of Napolean

2. Rise to Power • When the French Revolution began, Napoleon Bonaparte was a young Lieutenant in the militia • He experienced several military successes in various foreign campaigns during the Revolution, and became a political leader • Helped overthrow the weak Directory and establish a 3-man Consulate that he led • Within 6 years, Napoleon had accumulated enough power and support to name himself the Emperor of France  At each stage in his rise to power Napoleon held a popular vote, and each time the French strongly supported him...why?

3. Popularity • Not only did Napoleon hold popular elections to maintain public support but his slogan of “Order, Security and Efficiency” was widely supported. • Order-after years of reform and chaos, the people were ready for stability. • Security- After the Reign of Terror the French people wanted safety and to live without fear. • Efficiency- The French people wanted a competent leader who could make decisions quickly and to the benefit of the people. How is this different from the French Revolution slogan of “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”?

4. The Napoleonic Code • Napoleon instituted a law code called the Napoleonic Code that focused on Enlightenment principles: • Equalityof all citizens • Religious toleration • Fair taxes • Public school system • But Napoleon valued order and authority over individual rights • Women lost their newly-gained rights to citizenship • Male heads of household regained complete authority over their wives/children

5. Expansion • Napoleon used French Nationalism to lead his armies to victory throughout Europe • He was able to join most of Western Europe to his empire through conquest or alliance • However, Nationalism also worked against the French. The people of the conquered nations (especially Spain) saw the French as an oppressing foreign force. Extent of French Empire in 1811 Navy = French Empire Royal = French satellite states Green = Allied states

6. Russia • Napoleon decides to invade Russia after the tsar withdraws his support • However, the Russians avoided direct battle with the French army and utilized a strategy called “scorched earth” • As the Russians retreated to the East, they burned crops, buildings, supplies and resources to prevent the French from using them. • Napoleon’s army invaded Moscow in September. By October, they were turned homeward. Why?

7. Downfall Abdicate-give up power • After failing to take Russia, Napoleon was forced to abdicate, and exiled to the island of Elba • Napoleon escaped and returned to France, where many soldiers and French citizens support his return • However, at the Battle of Waterloo, just 100 days after his return, Napoleon was again defeated. He was sent to the island of St. Helena where he stayed until his death

8. The Congress of Vienna • After Waterloo, European leaders sat down at the Congress of Vienna to restore order and stability to Europe after 25 years of war • The goal of the Congress of Vienna was to create lasting peace by establishing a balance of power and protecting monarchies. They did this by: • Redrawing the map of Europe- surrounded France with strong nations to keep them contained • Legitimacy- the congress replaced hereditary monarchs who had been unseated—Louis XVIII regains the throne in France • The Concert of Europe- a peace-keeping organization that included the major European powers. Theirgoal was to balance power and quellany uprisings inspired by the FrenchRevolution.

9. Success? • The Congress of Vienna created peace in Europe for 100 years. However, they ignored the groups of people they united in the redrawn boundary lines. • Additionally, ideas from the French Revolution continued to spread outside of Europe, further inspiring revolts in the Americas

10. Review Nationalism is most likely to develop in an area that has • Land suited to agriculture • Adequate industry to supply consumer demands • A moderate climate with rivers for irrigation • Common customs, language and history

11. Review The French people supported Napoleon Bonaparte because they hoped he would • adopt the ideas of the Protestant Reformation • restore Louis XVI to power • provide stability for the nation • end British control of France

12. Review What was the main purpose of the Congress of Vienna? • To regain the strength lost by the Catholic Church in Europe • To create a balance of power on the European continent • To create a new military plan for European domination in the Americas • To design a military plan to defeat Napoleon

13. Review A study of revolutions would most likely lead to the conclusion that pre-Revolutionary governments. • are more concerned about human rights than the governments that replace them • refuse to modernize their armed forces with advanced technology • attempt to bring about the separation of government from religion • fail to meet the political and economic needs of their people