Age of Napoleon

Italian Campaign (Green)

1796

This is one of Napoleon's first significant military successes that earned him fame and respect. He managed to capture most of northern Italy for France.

Egyptian Campaign (Yellow)

Jul 1, 1798

Napoleon and his French troops were defeated by the British Army and Navy. Even though he lost he returned home without the troops claiming he won. France believed Napoleon and gave him a hero’s welcome.

Consulate (Green)

Nov 9, 1799

After launching a coup d'etat to abolish the Directory, the old government of France, Napoleon helped establish the Consulate. Which Napoleon eventually became the first Consol of. This was helpful to the people of France since it established a stronger government.

Banque de France (Green)

1800

Napoleon completely reconstructed the banking system and economy of France. This is very helpful and needed for the French people. Before this, they were in constant debt.

Concordat of 1801 (Green)

Jul 15, 1801

Napoleon and the Pope came together to reestablish the Catholic Church in France. This is beneficial to Napoleon since it made the clergy respect him, and the French people were most catholic anyway.

Consul for Life (Green)

1802

After serving as the First Consul for around three years, Napoleon decided that he needed a better title. Napoleon finally decided on the title Consul for Life.

Napoleonic Code (Yellow)

Mar 21, 1804

Created laws meant to reflect ideas of the French Revolution. Made citizens equal under law, established civil law code, provided religious toleration, and encouraged skill-based advancement. Also took away some women’s rights gained during the Revolution.

Declared Self Emperor (Green)

Dec 2, 1804

Napoleon held a large ceremony in 1804 when he decided he needed a title more fitting to his power. Instead of becoming a King, Napoleon decided an Emperor was better. He invited the Pope to Notre Dame to crown him Emperor, but before he had a chance Napoleon crowned himself showing his power.

Battle of Trafalgar (Red)

Sep 21, 1805

The Battle of Trafalgar took place in the Cape of Trafalgar of Southwest Spain. During this battle the British navy led under Admiral Lord Nelson, defeats the French and Spanish fleets.

Abolishment of Holy Roman Empire (Green)

Aug 6, 1806

While Napoleon was just developing his Empire he completely redid the map of Europe. Part of this was abolishing the Holy Roman Empire. This is good for the French people since it provided more land for them to take over and control.

Continental System (Red)

Nov 21, 1806

A blockade by Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars to stop British trade. However, this just enraged the rest of Europe, which was also affected by the stopping in trade. Britain was also not as greatly affected by this as intended since they still had other trade connections overseas.

Resistance in Spain (Red)

May 2, 1808

During Napoleonic Wars Spain resisted being controlled by French rule. From this France struck back only making the Spanish more made and inciting nationalism. This was a bad event for the French since it encouraged other nations to stand up to the French as well.

Invasion of Russia (Red)

Jun 24, 1812

Napoleon invaded Russia with 600,000 troops he collected along the way. To avoid battles with France, Russia retreated further into Russia, burning down crops and villages as they went. Napoleon made it to Moscow in September, but it was already completely burned down by the time the Russians got there. When Napoleon finally decided to retreat from Moscow it was the beginning of the harsh Russian winter. Russia attacked France as they retreated. Napoleon made it out with 10,000 troops left.

Battle of Nations at Leipzig (Red)

Nov 16, 1813

The allied forces of Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia aimed to take away the power from Napoleon. They battled France in the Battle of Nations and ended up winning.

Abdication (Red)

1815

After Russia, Britain, Austria, and Prussia allied against France, they aimed to take down Napoleon. Soon after Napoleon stepped down from power, and was exiled to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean.

Hundred Days (Yellow)

Mar 20, 1815

This is the period in between Napoleon being exiled the first time and King Louis XVIII being restored to the throne. Also part of the war of the Seventh Coalition. This is good and bad since Napoleon came back, but he also was replaced by Louis XVIII.

Battle of Waterloo (Red)

Jun 18, 1815

The Battle of Waterloo was Napoleon's final battle before being defeated for good by the rest of Europe. After this defeat, he was exiled to St. Helena, an island in South Africa.