The Age of Napoleon

“Since one must take sides, one might as well choose the side that is

victorious, the side which devastates, loots, and burns. Considering the

alternative, it is better to eat than be eaten.”

I. Napoleon Rises to Power

A. Victories Cloud Losses1. Napoleon rises quickly in the

army2. Forces are crushed in Egypt

a. Establishes a network of spies, censors the press

3. Napoleon overthrows Directory and sets up a three-man governing body called the Consulatea. He takes the title of First

Consul

B. Napoleon Crowns Himself Emperor1. Takes crown from the hands of the pope2. Holds a plebiscite

a. Popular vote by ballotb. Still holds absolute power

II. Napoleon Reforms France

A. Restores economic prosperity 1. Controlled prices, encouraged new industry,

built roads and canals

B. Napoleonic Code1. Equality of all citizens before the law2. Religious toleration3. Abolished feudalism

III. Napoleon Builds an Empire

A. The Map of Europe is Redrawn1. He annexed the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts

of Italy and Germanya. Incorporated into his empire

2. Napoleon controlled most of Europe through forceful diplomacy

a. His successes increased the spirit of nationalism

A. Napoleon Strikes Britain1. Britain remains outside of Napoleon’s control

a. The British destroy the French navy before Napoleon can invade

2. Instead Napoleon wages economic warfare through the Continental System

a. Both British and French blockade the other’s portsb. As a result, prices soar which increases resentment of

the French

IV. Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges

A. Nationalism Works Against Napoleon1. Nationalism fuels French armies’ successes2. Also encourages resentment and revolt by

controlled areasB. Spain and Austria Battle the French

1. Spanish patriots conducted a campaign of guerrilla warfare

a. Hit-and-run tacticsb. This keeps French troops in Spain when needed elsewhere

2. Napoleon conquers Austria

C. The Russian Winter Stops the Grand Army

1. Napoleon invades Russia with his Grand Army of 600,000 soldiers and 50,000 horses

2. Russia avoids battles with Napoleon practicing scorched-earth policy

a. Russians burn crops and villages as they retreat which leaves the French without food or shelter when winter arrives

3. Napoleon retreatsa. 1,000 mile retreat takes toll on troopsb. Less than 20,000 soldiers survive

V. Napoleon Falls From PowerA. Napoleon Abdicates Briefly

1. Napoleon steps down from powera. Exiled to Elba

2. King Louis XVIII restored to the throne3. Napoleon returns to Paris and seizes power

B. Crushed at the Battle of Waterloo

1. Napoleon’s return is short-lived2. British and Prussian forces destroy the

French at the Waterloo3. Napoleon is exiled to St. Helena

C. Napoleon’s Legacy

1. Napoleonic Code2. Elections, suffrage, education were all

expanded3. Sparks nationalism throughout Europe

VI. Leaders Meet at the Congress of Vienna

A. Congress Strives for Peace1. European leaders want to create a lasting peace

in Europea. Balance of powerb. Protect the system of monarchy

2. Map of Europe is redrawna. France is surrounded with strong countries

B. Congress Fails to See Traps Ahead

1. Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain form the Quadruple Alliance

2. Concert of Europe- European powers pledged to meet periodically to discuss problems affecting peace in Europe