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Italian Campaigns
The Italian Campaigns were fought during the French Revolution. Napoleon was able to take most of northern Italy due to the French victory. -
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Egyptian Campaign
Napoleon campaigned in territories of Egypt and Syria. He claimed it would protect French trade interests, open the door to other alliances, disrupt Britain’s access to India, and establish scientific enterprise. It was a major defeat for Napoleon, but he managed to hide most of it from his admirers in France. -
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Consulate
Napoleon set up the French Consulate. It was comprised of Jean Jacques Régis de Cambacérès, Charles-François Lebrun, and himself. This acted as France’s executive government, though it didn’t last long. -
Banque de France
Napoleon created the new Bank of France as a rewarded monopoly to the bankers that supported him in the revolution in the year 1800. -
Concordat of 1801
This was an agreement between Napoleon and Pop Pius VII that sought national reconciliation between revolutionaries and Catholics. Napoleon selected the bishops and supervised church finances. -
Consul for Life
Napoleon named himself as the Consul for Life to add to his power and fame. This led to his proclamation as France’s emperor. -
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon wrote this code under the French Consulate. It is the French civil code and is still in use today, with frequent amendments. -
Declared self emperor
Napoleon wanted to show that France was not going back to a monarchy, so he declared himself emperor to introduce a new political system to France. During the coronation, he placed the crown on his own head, making it clear that his power came from himself and not anyone else. -
Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon wanted to have complete control of Europe, and to have that, he needed Britain, so he launched a naval engagement to attempt to control the English Channel. This would open the doors to invade England. The battle ended with British victory, and a large loss for France. -
Abolished Holy Roman Empire
After the Napoleon-led French victory in the Battle of Austerlitz, the Holy Roman Empire was abolished and its territory was taken by France, Austria, and Prussia. -
Continental System
Napoleon cut off European ports from British goods and Britain cut off European ports from France in response. Any neutral ship passing through the area suspected of trading with the other country was attacked and sunk. This sparked the War of 1812. -
Resistance in Spain
Madrid, Spain exploded into revolt against Napoleon as he invaded Spain and forced King Charles IV to abdicate. Napoleon put his brother Joseph on the throne, pinning Spain against France. -
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Invasion of Russia
Napoleon wanted Russia to cease trading with Britain because it would pressure the UK to sue for peace. He had to defeat the Russian army first, but his attempt failed miserably. He had a long supply chain that couldn’t keep up to feed and supply his soldiers and eventually, Napoleon turned to get home. Many of his soldiers died in the harsh Russian winter. -
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Battle of Nations at Leipzig
Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia all attacked France in the battle and defeated Napoleon, leading to Napoleon’s abdication and first exile. -
Abdication
Napoleon was forced to give up his power after the events of the Battle of Nations and was exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba. -
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Hundred Days
Napoleon escaped form Elba and returned to France, where the people rejoiced at his arrival. He regained his power, but only for one hundred days, as he was quickly defeated a second time at the Battle of Waterloo. -
Waterloo
Napoleon was crushed by the British and the Prussians at the Battle of Waterloo. He was forced to give up his power a second time and was exiled again to the island of St. Helena, which was in the South Atlantic. He was finally defeated for good.
