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Birth of Napoleon
Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Corsica, a Meditteran island. -
General Napoleon
When asked to defend the delegates from a royalist attack, Napoleon opens fire on the royalists and they flee. He is considered a hero among the French and is appointed a general.
Significance- Napoleon can now command troops. This allowed him to soar above others and make a name for himself. -
Campaign in Italy
After Napoleon was appointed a general, he lead his army into Italy and won a considerable amount of battles. This campaign lasted about two weeks.
Significance- This victory helped Napoleon gain popularity and authority. -
Campaign in Egypt
1798-1799
In hopes of hurting Britain's trade and helping France's, Napoleon and his troops journey to Egypt. However, Britain crushes Napoleon's naval forces which caused Napoleon to face defeat. He kept his loss out of the public eye so he was still France's hero.
Significance- Napoleon was now eager to beat Britain. -
First Consul for Life
After Napoleon takes control of the French government, he establishes three consuls to head the government. He makes himself the first, giving him the most authority.
Significance- Napoleon essentially became a dictator. -
Concordat
Giving the public what they wanted, Napoleon restored the Church and the Clergy in France. He signed an agreement which gave the Church less power than before.
Significance- Napoleon got the support of the Church and the peasants after bringing the Church back. Additionally, the Concordat showed the bond between the state and the church, a bond that allowed Napoleon to appoint clergy members. -
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon created his own laws that he put in place. This gave France laws that were to be followed and helped end injustice.
Significance- This set of laws allowed slavery and took away basic rights such as freedom of speech and the press. -
"Emperor of the French"
Napoleon crowned himself emperor with the support of the French people. The pope waited for Napoleon with a shimmering crown that Napoleon took and placed it on his own head.
Significance- Napoleon has more power than the church and in general now that he is an emperor. France is now called an "empire". -
Battle of Trafalgar
As Napoleon tried to conquer more of Europe, his loss of the Battle of Trafalgar was significant. British troops cut off half of Napoleon's ships and captured them.
Significance- After losing significantly, Napoleon abandonded all his plans of invading Britian. -
Continental System
As Napoleon attempted to weaken Britain, he called for a blockade on the British to stop the flow of trade. This policy was referred to as the Contential System as it tried to make continental Europe more self-sufficient.
Significance- This blockade gave Napoleon a reason to invade Russia, something he was already considering. -
Campaign in Russia
June of 1812 - December of 1812
Russia continued to sell Britain grain. Napoleon decided to invade Russia as their alliance was crumbling. When Napoleon's army finally reached Moscow, starving and freezing, it was deserted. Napoleon tried to retreat but Russian troops ambushed them on their way back, killing most of Napoleon's army.
Significance- This major defeat started the downward spiral of Napoleon's career. -
Defeat at Battle of Leipzig
October 16-19, 1813
Napoleon struggles to find enough soldiers to do battle. His army is made up of inexperienced and untrained soldiers. He and his troops marched into Leipzig, Germany. His enemies, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden, easily took his army down.
Significance- Because of this defeat, France was invaded. Reluctantly, Napoleon surrendered his throne. -
Elba
After surrendering, the allied forces against Napoleon exiled him to Elba, a small island near Italy. Louis XVI's brother became king while Napoleon was in Elba.
Significance- Because Louis XVIII was ruling France, French citizens were afraid the monarch would undo what the Revolution changed. Napoleon escaped Elba and was welcomed back with open arms. -
Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was Napoleon's final battle against the allied forces. Napoleon waited for the last possible minute to start his attack, allowing more enemy troops time to walk over and fight. Napoleon was tired and did not give the best tactical commands, resulting in his last defeat against the British.
Significance- This battle marked the end of Napoleon's career. -
St. Helena
After Napoleon's crushing defeat in Waterloo, the British exiled him to St. Helena, an island in the Southern Atlantic Ocean.
Significance- Napoleon could live out the rest of his years in peace as he wrote his memoirs. -
Death of Napoleon
After living in St. Helena for six years, Napoleon passed away from what others think was stomach cancer.
Significance- Napoleon was a masterful strategist who helped France become a force to be reckoned with.
