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In an attempt to disrupt British trade with India, Napoleon lead an expedition to Egypt. It proved to be a disaster but he was able to hide his loss from French admirers.
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This campaign led by Napoleon in Italy helped end the French Revolutionary Wars in favor of France. It helped make Napoleon significant in that it established him as Europe’s brightest military talent.
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Napoleon went from general to political leader. He helped overthrow the Consulate and helped draw up a new constitution. He then took the title of First Consul.
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Banque de France is a national bank in France created in 1800. Napoleon was a founding shareholder along with members of his family. This bank helped restore confidence in the French banking system after the revolutionary period.
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This was an agreement between Napoleon and the papal and clerical representatives in both Rome and Paris defining the status of the Roman Catholic Church in France. Napoleon as first counsul was given the right to nominate bishops.
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A year after taking the title of First Consul, Napoleon forced Spain to return to Louisiana Territory. A year after that he took the title of Consul for Life. The French people strongly supported him.
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Napoleonic Code was a French civil code that is still extant with revisions. It was 36 statutes consolidated in a single body of law. It declared all male citizens equal and extinguished class privileges and gave religious freedom, but revoked women’s newly gained rights.
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Napoleon acquired enough power to give himself the title of Emperor of France. He had the Pope preside over the ceremony. He took the crown from the Pope’s hands and crowned himself to signify that he owed his success to no one. He held a plebiscite and had the strong support of the French people.
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This battle was naval engagement west of Cape Trafalgar between Admiral Villeneuve leading the French and Spanish and Admiral Nelson leading the British. As Villeneuve was leaving Cádiz for southern Italy he was caught off guard by Nelson. Villeneuve was captured and lost 20 ships and 14,000 men. Even though Nelson was mortally wounded, he was aware of his victory. No British ships were lost and Napoleons plans to invade England were destroyed. This was a loss for Napoleon.
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After annexing the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy and Germany, Napoleon abolished the Holy Roman Empire. He then created a 38 member Confederation of the Rhine under French protection. He cut Prussia in half and turned part of Poland into the Grand Duchy of Warsaw. After this, Napoleon controlled much of Europe through force.
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The Continental System was a blockade designed to paralyze Great Britain through the destruction of British commerce. It hurt English industries, but proved to be too difficult to enforce because of Britain’s superior sea power. Britain returned with its own blockades and sparked the war of 1812.
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After claiming all of Portugal, Napoleons intentions became clear to Spain. Charles IV, the king of Spain attempted to escape to South America but was halted. Napoleon took advantage of this and sent general Joachim Murat to occupy Madrid. Though he promised Spain would be Roman Catholic and independent, the people of Madrid had already risen against him. Though the revolt was unsuccessful in Madrid, it spread throughout Spain. They reclaimed Madrid and dethroned Joseph Bonaparte.
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After entering Russia with 600,000 men and 50,000 horses, Napoleon was successful in getting the Russians to retreat eastward. Unfortunately, the Russians burned their crops The whole way in. Napoleons army was left freezing and starving and had to return home. Fewer than 20,000 soldiers returned. His reputation was shattered.
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Because of his disaster in Russia, the course of the wars had changed. Russia, Britain, Austria. And Prussia formed an alliance and defeated Napoleon at Leipzig.
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After his loss at Leipzig, Napoleon abdicated. The victors exiled him to Elba and recognized Louis XVIII as the King of France.
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The Hundred Days describes the time period between Napoleons exile to Elba and Louis XVIII back to the French throne. After he returned from exile, Napoleon lost miserably at Waterloo. He abdicated a second time and head to St. Helena, and Louis XVIII returned to Paris.
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After returning from exile on Elba, Napoleons success was short-lived. His army met the British and Prussian forces and were crushed. Napoleon was forced back into exile in the South Atlantic permanently this time.
