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Coup D'etat (Becoming Dictator)
The Directory lost the confidence of the French people and control of the political situation in 1799. After returning from Egypt, Napoleon's friends begged him to seize the political power. He then did so early into November. He commanded his troops to surround the national legislature and drove out most of the members of said legislature. -
Concordat
An agreement that Napoleon signed to Pope Pius VII, where it all started from Napoleon disregarding religious changes created by the Revolution. The peasants and clergy both wanted to restore the Church of France's position. He agreed, and thus signed the concordat. -
Napoleonic Code
This comprehensive system of laws was the greatest work that Napoleon had created, has be believes so. It gave many laws and eradicated any injustices, but it also limited liberty and promoted authority over individual rights. Ex.: Freedom of speech: restricted under the code. -
Loss of American Territories
Back in 1789, in Saint Domingue, planters had heard of the ideas of the Revolution, and demanded the National Assembly give those same ideas to the people as the people of France did receive said ideas. Enslaved Africans demanded the same as well. In 1801, Napoleon made plans to take back the colony that the Africans claimed after a civil war erupted. However, this attempt failed, as the French soldiers were killed by disease and the fighting skill of the rebels. -
Napoleon crowned as Emperor
Napoleon decided to bring himself to the rank of Emperor, and the French voters had agreed with him to do so. On December 2, 1804, the ceremony was held in the church, and Napoleon signaled that he was more powerful than the church. -
Conquering of Europe
After abandoning the imperial ambitions that Napoleon owned in the New world, he focused on Europe to expand his influence further. Unsure and afraid of his ambitions, Britain convinced Russia, Sweden, and Austria to join them in their conflict against France. -
Continental System
Napoleon set up a blockade to halt the process of communication and trade between Great Britain and other European colonies. It was supposed to make Europe more self-sufficient. -
Invasion of Russia (scorched-earth policy)
The time of Napoleon's most disastrous mistake. The Russian czar would not stop selling grain to Great Britain, even though Alexander I was supporting Napoleon. The French and Russian rulers also suspected of one another of having competing designs on Poland. Because of that breakdown, Napoleon decided to invade Russia. 420,000 soldiers in all. Alexander pulled his troops back, refusing to accept an unfair challenge. They then practiced the scorched-earth policy, which was to burn edible items. -
Waterloo
This was when the British Duke of Wellington prepared to face Napoleon's army in Waterloo. On June 18, Napoleon advanced. The British were able to hold the line long enough for the Prussian army to join them and drive off Napoleon's forces. Two days after, the army was at it's limits, calling a retreat while the British and Prussian forces were hot on their tales out from the field. -
The Hundred Days
This was when Napoleon's power was eradicated, where the British captured him and shipped him to St. Helena, where he lived in exile for 6 years. He died in 1821 due to a stomach ailment, possibly cancer. -
Napoleon's Accomplishments
Napoleon was credited as a military genius and an excellent administrator. Alexis de Tocqueville, a French writer, commented on Napoleon, which wrapped up his entire personality: "He was as great as a man can be without virtue."