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Napoleon is born into an Italian family of nobility. For these reasons, Napoleon is able to study at the Parisian military school, École Militaire. The building was created under the reign of Louis XV. Bonaparte is appointed second lieutenant in the French Army. The French Revolution begins shortly four years later, in 1789. Bonaparte would agree with the Jacobins, a pro-democracy group. Mastermind of the Revolution, Robespierre, challenged the monarchy leading to Bonaparte's assumption of power
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The Reign of Terror led to thousands of killings under the suspicion of being/behaving counter-revolutionary. This would ultimately end in the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette for treason. Bonaparte was one of the key members of the Reign of Terror. Bonaparte is appointed to the position of brigadier general in the French army. The Siege of Toulon helped Bonaparte establish power and fame; he helped secure a vital naval base for France against the Royalists - prompting ascension.
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The 13 Vendémiaire is a name given to a battle between the pro-revolutionaries and the royalists in the streets of Paris. Troops led by revolutionary, Napoleon Bonaparte stopped Parisians attempting to overthrow the government or more specifically, the Committee of Public Safety (led by Bonaparte's influencer, Robespierre). These royalists were demanding the resurrection of a constitutional monarchy (est. 1791 and revoked). Bonaparte won and used his squadron of the 12th Chasseurs.
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Napoleon becomes the FIRST Consul at thirty years of age. Napoleon abolished the Consul position when he became the emperor in 1804. The first consul position (Premier consul) established Napoleon as the central, authoritarian republican leader while not declaring himself the sole leader over France. Napoleon controlled the government and maintained a sense of absolute power over France. There was an illusion of a republic with many institutions that held very little power (think Third Estate).
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Napoleon establishes the Napoleonic Code (originally published on March 21, 1804), aiding his ultimate assumption of power. The Napoleonic Code strengthened the role of men in relationships/families, deprived women of their basic rights, and reintroduced colonial slavery! But, a common misconception/myth is that Napoleon created this himself! BUT, the Napoleonic Code is written by Jean Guillaume Locré de Roissy. This is considered the first SUCCESSFUL "universal codification" (DH) and civil law.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4-hcmBsll0
On May 18, 1804, Napoleon crowns himself the Emperor of France! His wife, Josephine, becomes the French Empress. This coronation ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris. Napoleon's crown is one of the only remaining crowns from the time, found at the Louvre Museum. This is symbolic of his power, Napoleon would not submit to any power other than himself! This is considered the PEAK of Napoleon's ascension -
The Battle of Austerlitz also known as the Battle of the Three Emperors occurred on December 2, 1805. This battle showcased Napoleon's Military and Geographic Skills to the world. Austerlitz blocked the road to Vienna, Austria; but, Napoleon sent a quarter of his troops to fight their opponents, the Austro-Russian Army. This is seen by many historians as the greatest victory achieved by Napoleon! Napoleon utilized a military strategy with "retreating" or hiding soldiers. The French won the war!
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On June 24, 1812 - December 14, 1812, the Grand Armée, "the most diverse European Army since the Crusades" (H), entered Russia crossing the Neman River. A flaw of Napoleon's plan was sending TOO many men over the river. There was a bad storm and the city of Moscow was engulfed in flames. Napoleon was able to take over Moscow but pulled his armies out. At this point, he was down to a fourth of his initial troops. This was unsuccessful for lots of environmental and density reasons (concentration).
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The Battle of Leipzig (or the Battle of the Nations) proved to be one of the most decisive, yet, powerful losses faced by Napoleon. In October of 1813, the Fourth Coalition (Countries: Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Saxony, and Sweden) was able to defeat the French Army. Napoleon's philosophy of "strength in numbers" in battle, resulted in the trapping of the French Army. Unlike the French Invasion of Russia (1812), this was a purely strategic loss. Napoleon became the ruler of Elba (04/1814).
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At the hands of the Duke of Wellington, Napoleon Bonaparte is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo. Some factors that played considerate roles in their defeat include the arrival of Blucher and the Prussian Army. Napoleon suffered twenty-five thousand casualties and nine-thousand captures! This battle would mark the end of his reign or the Napoleonic era of European history. Four days later, Napoleon abdicated as emperor. He retired to St. Helena, an island off the coast of Africa, and died.
