The Rise and Fall of Napoleon

  1. Napoleon took command and his popularity soared as he restored order, stimulated prosperity, and defeated the Second Coalition
  1. Napoleon used his power to make France an efficient modern nation (embodying the philosophe’s concept of enlightened despotism)
  1. Napoleon’s legal experts consolidated 100s of laws into uniform legal code which remains the basis of French law (the Napoleonic Code)
  1. code increased authority of husbands over families (a major blow to women’s rights)
  1. the Concordat of 1801 made Church de facto religion of France again and Napoleon earned right to appoint French clergy
  1. Napoleon disliked republics (reduced power of National Assembly, censored the press, and suppressed all political opposition)
  1. (1804) Napoleon declared himself emperor (the nation was grateful)
  1. (1805-1807) Napoleon defeated Austria, Prussia and Russia in series of brilliant military victories
  1. (1808) French rule extended from the North Sea to Spain and much of Italy
  1. Napoleon’s navy beaten by Britain’s Lord Horatio Nelson at Battle of Trafalgar (Britain remained outside of Napoleon’s rule)
  1. Napoleon dissolved the Holy Roman Empire (abolished feudalism and serfdom in Germany)
  1. Napoleon appeared invincible but his insatiable desire for power led him to three disastrous mistakes
  1. (1806) Napoleon introduced the Continental System closing all European ports to British trade (mistake #1)
  1. Napoleon hoped Continental System would destroy Britain’s economy (it didn’t)
  1. (1808) Napoleon overthrew Spain’s monarchy and installed his brother Joseph which outraged Spanish people (mistake #2)
  1. Spanish fighters called guerillas repeatedly ambushed French forces (300,000 French troops killed in next five years)
  1. (1812) Napoleon ordered invasion of Russia because Czar Alexander I refused to stop trade with Britain (mistake #3)
  1. Napoleon’s Grand Army seized Moscow but Alexander refused to surrender (forcing French troops to
  1. bitterly cold weather, disease, and Russian attacks nearly destroyed the Grand Army as it retreated
  1. (Oct 1813) the Grand Alliance (Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria) defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Nations
  1. (March 1814) allied armies entered Paris (Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to island of Elba)
  1. (March 1815) Napoleon escaped from Elba and formed new army
  1. (June 1815) the Grand Alliance defeated Napoleon at Battle of Waterloo
  1. Napoleon abdicated again and was exiled to St. Helena in South Atlantic (died in 1821)