Napoleonic Era

  • Napoleon attempts to conquer Egypt and cut off English trade lines and is defeated by Horatio Nelson

    Battle was the climax of a naval campaign that had ranged across the Mediterranean during the previous three months, as a large French convoy sailed from Toulon to Alexandria carrying an expeditionary force under then General Napoleon Bonaparte. In the battle, the British forces, led by Horatio Nelson (later Lord Nelson), defeated the French.
  • Napoleon's coup d'etat, overthrowing the Directory, declared the First Consul

    Overthrew the system of the government under the Directory and substituted with the three-member Consulate, making way for the despotism of Napoleon Bonaparte as the First Consul. Effective end of the French Revolution.
  • Napoleon is declared emperor

    Napoleon crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I at Notre Dame de Paris. According to legend, during the coronation he snatched the crown from the hands of Pope Pius VII and crowned himself, thus displaying his rejection of the authority of the Pontiff.
  • Battle of Trafalgar

    The British Royal Navy defeated French and Spanish ships. However, Napoleon still defeated the Third Coalition at the Battle of Austerlitz.
  • The Continental System is implemented

    As a response to the naval blockade of the French coasts enacted by the British government, Napoleon imposed a blockade to halt all trade between continental Europe and Britain, therefore weakening the British economy and military.
  • Napoleon is defeated in Russia

    One of the greatest military disasters in history. Napoleon's troops were no match for the Russian army, the Russian winter, and starvation. After 5 weeks in the scorched city of Moscow, Napoleon issued a retreat.
  • Spanish nationalists overthrow Napoleon

    Napoleon established his brother, Joseph Bonaparte as king of Spain. Spanish nationalists remained loyal to Ferdinand VII and with help from the Allies (Britain), they overthrew the French in the Battle of Vitoria and brought back Ferdinand VII with the Treaty of Valençay.
  • Napoleon is defeated at Leipzig (Battle of the Nations)

    Battle between Napoleon and alliance of Russian, Austrian Empire, Prussia, Sweden, and Saxony. Napoleon's army had already been defeated + depleted during the French invasion of Russia. Being outnumbered, he attacked. His allies in the Confederation of the Rhine changed sides, causing his defeat. One of the biggest battles before WW1. Part of the War of the Sixth Coalition. Napoleon was exiled to Elba after this battle.
  • Napoleon is exiled to Elba

    In the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Napoleon was exiled to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean. He had sovereignty over the island and retained his title of emperor. In the first few months on Elba he created a small navy and army, developed the iron mines, and issued decrees on modern agricultural methods.
  • Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo

    Napoleon, who had escaped exile and returned to France, was trying to re-establish his dominance over Europe and in doing so he invaded Belgium. At the Battle of Waterloo, the British led by Wellington defeated Napoleon and his army and Napoleon was taken into custody once again, this time exiled to St. Helena.
  • Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena

    Exiled to the island of Elba two years prior, Napoleon escaped to France in early 1815 and raised a new Grand Army that enjoyed temporary success before its crushing defeat at Waterloo against an allied force under Wellington on June 18, 1815. Napoleon was subsequently exiled to the island of Saint Helena off the coast of Africa.