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Birth
On August 15th of 1769, Napolean Bonaparte was born in the town of Ajaccio, France. He was the fourth of eleven children in his family. His father was part of the Lesser Coriscan, in the Gentry (Byers 306). -
Napoleon Finishes Military School
In 1785, Napoleon graduated from military school and became a lieutenant. While at school, he had attended the military academy of Brienne. His small stature had earned him the nickname of "Little Corporal" even though he went on to become one of the great military leaders of all time. This started him on the path to the great success that had as a leader in the military (Byers 307). -
George Washington becomes President
George Washington was the first person to ever be elected president of the United States. Before that, he served as Commander in Chief during the American Revolution. Washington was born and raised in Virginia, was also a prime mover toward the Constitutional Convention (George Washington). -
Napoleon Promoted to Brigadier General
After a successful attack on the British, Napoleon was promoted to Brigadier General. He was also given command of the French Army against Italy. Once again he was moving up the ranks as a military figure (Napoleon Bonaparte). -
United States Navy Established
The United States Navy can trace its roots back to the Continental Navy. Congress was first given the power to establish a Navy in 1789 when the Constitution was ratified, but did not until 1794 (Grun 370). At first it was headed and maintained by the Department of War, but is now headed and run by the Department of the Navy (The Establishment of the Navy). -
Napoleon Defends National Convention
Napoleon was given his chance at fame in 1795 when hundreds of Royalists attempted to march on the delegates while they attended the National Convention. He was successful in getting them to flee by launching a cannonade on them, even though he was outnumbered. This event gave Napoleon the attention that he needed in order to reach great fame, and in turn it set him up for events to come in the future (Napoleon Bonaparte). -
Lead French Army against Austria
After successfully defending the delegates at the National Convention, Napoleon was appointed to lead the French Army against Austria. He then went on to win in Italy, and end any hopes for Austria to defeat the French. After that Battle, Napoleon was depicted as a glorious figure throughout France, even further glorifying his name (Napoleon Bonaparte). -
Takes Control of Lower Egypt
In 1798, Napoleon Lead 35,000 troops to lower Egypt to discourage England's interest in India. At one point, he occupied both Cairo and Alexandria at the same time. While there, he organized many schools to study Ancient Egypt (Napoleon Bonaparte). -
Rosetta Stone
The Rosetta Stone has been a very important part of deciphering hieroglyphics from Ancient Egypt. It was discovered by Napoleon in 1799 while his soldier were digging the foundarion to a fort. The decree inscribed on it was written by the Ptolemies, and was written in 3 languages: Greek, Demotic, and Hieroglyphics. By translating the Greek writing, historians were ablt to read hieroglyphics for the first time (The Rosetta Stone). -
Won Battle of Marengo
At the Battle of Marengo, Napoleon defeated Austria. Even though he lost many men, and had to retreat, he still came away with the victory. In effect, this battle ended the War of the Second Consolation (Battle of Marengo). -
Thomas Jefferson becomes President
In 1801, Thomas Jefferson was elected for his first term as president. He was born in Virginia and was a writer and statesman before becoming president. He was an avid supporter of freedom of speech, religion, and other civil liberties. Perhaps what he is most well known for is writing the Declaration of Independance, although he wanted to be remembered for founding the Universtiy of Virginia (Beck 564). -
Napoleon Overthrows French Government
In 1804, Napoleon established a monarchy in France with himself as the emperor. As the emperor, he continued to conquer more and more places to build his empire even stronger. Many places fell to Napoleon after he became emperor, including several German states (Napoleon Bonaparte). -
Treaty of Pressburg Signed
The Treaty of Pressburg was signed by Nepoleon in 1805 in Pressburg. This treaty was signed after the Emperor won the Battle of Austerlitz against Austria, and was also the height of his military career. While Austria was allowed to keep some of its territories, Napoleon received many of them (Treaty of Pressburg). -
War of 1812
In 1812, War was declared by the United States of America on Great Britain. The United Sates were angered by the British siezing their ships in the middle of the fighting between the French and Great Britain. Once the war was all set and done though, it ended in a draw between the two sides, with no victor (Beck 589). -
Florida is Purchased from Spain
Florida was purchased from Spain by the United States in 1819 by John Quincy Adams. Andrew Jackson was the first appointed military governor of Florida when it first became a territory in 1822. Florida was considered a state for the first time in 1844, and was a slave state in the beginning (The U.S. Acquires Florida). -
Death
On May 5, 1821, Napoleon died after a long battle with cancer, most likely in his stomach. After dying in exhile, his body was returned to France in 1840. He was then laid to rest in Paris (Byers 309).
