Timeline: Napoleon

1796

Italian Campaign

Napoleon lead several attacks into Italy where his great victories dustinguished him as a force to be reckoned with.

1798

Egyptian Campaign

Led an expedition to Egypt, but was defeated terribly at the battle of the Nile. Despite this, he managed to hide some of it from the French people.

1799

Consulate

Napoleon overthrows old, weak government and forms the consulate. He then gives himself the title of First Consulate.

Jan 18, 1800

Banque de France

Founded by Napoleon in order to help rebuild France’s economy.

1801

Concordat of 1801

Passed to restore peace with church. Allowed for religious freedom while keeping church under state control.

1802

Consul for Life

Napoleon sets up a system in which he will retain power and by doing this, shows that he is the all powerful leader of France.

Mar 21, 1804

Napoleonic Code

An new set of civil laws based on enlightenment ideas including equality and religious toleration. However, women were not included.

Dec 2, 1804

Napoleon Declares Himself Emperor

Napoleon had a grand coronation during which he crowned himself emperor by taking the crown from the pope.

1805

Continential System

Strong blockade intended to cut Britain off from european trade. Failed, caused a scarcity of British goods, and worsened relations with other nations.

Oct 21, 1805

Battle of Trafalgar

The British navy defeated the French during a great naval battle.

1806

Abolished Holy Roman Empire

After conquering a lot of land, Napoleon converted it into the Confederation of qthe Rhine with 38 members.

1808

Resistance in Spain

Many of the Spanish people were loyal to their king and opposed Napoleon’s reforms. At times they resulted to guerrilla warfare causing the French army to have less mobility.

1812

Invasion of Russia

Napoleon assembled a 600,000 soldier army to invade Russia, but the Russians avoided battle, drawing them farther in and leaving the land burned behind them. Napoleon faced defeat during the severe lack of supplies and food during winter.

1813

Battle of the Nations

Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia banded together forming an alliance against the already weakened France and defeated Napoleon at Leipzig

1814

Abdication

After the Battle of the Nations, Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Elba while Louis XVIII took over. In 1815 he returned and regained power, however this only lasted 100 days until he was defeated at Waterloo and abdicated a second time to be exiled to St. Helena.