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On November 9th 1799 Napoleon was given an important role in the new government as the first console. After his great military victory in 1795, protecting the delegates from royalist who rebelled the new government, Napoleon gained lots of support from the French people. With this new given power Napoleon quickly became somewhat of a dictator.
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By: Arya Vadassery
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In 1800 Napoleon released a new constitution filled with new laws that fixed corruption, the banking system, and tax collection. He got rid of majority of the corruption by creating lycées that helped recruit government officials no matter their class. With this he created a set of laws called the Napoleonic Code which gave a proper set of laws for everybody. However, it restricted a lot of power from civilians and gave the real power to Napoleon.
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In 1801 Napoleon wanted to take back the old French colonies in the west (Hattie, and Saint Domingo). Taking these colonies back would boost the Sugar Industries and better help the economy. However he failed due to disguise and strong resistance from rebels.
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In 1802 the neighboring countries, Austria, Britain, and Russia signed a peace treaties with France to end the wars going on for the past year.
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In 1803, Napoleon sells state of Louisiana to the United States of 15milion dollars. With this 15million Napoleon was able to fund his wars and the economy. However, this angered their rivals, the British, since they too were interested in the land for a long time.
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In 1804 Napoleon sought to gain more trust from the French people. The French country at the time had an over whelming majority of people that were Catholic and followed the Pope. But Napoleon wanted to become all powerful. To gain the trust of the French people, he gets the Pope to precede his ceremony. On the day of his crowning, December 2nd, right before the Pope could crown him, Napoleon would take the crown right out of his hands and crown himself. Indicating he was above the Pope.
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Giving up colonies, Napoleon wanted to expand Europe. At the time he control of Netherlands, Austria and parts of Italy. Now he wanted to expand further. In 1805 Russian, Austria, Sweden and Britain joined forces and attacked the French. In the end Napoleon won with his army.
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In 1806 Napoleon focused on destroying Britain's trade economy. He did this by blocking trade between Britain and French colonies and their allies. Though due to the French's weak naval force it was not able hold up very long.
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In order for Napoleon to make Portugal accept the Continental System, he took a route through Spain. The people of Spain revolted this action. Built of anger of giving less power to the Catholic Church, and having his brother as king, riled the people. Through guerilla war fairs, a type of surprise attacks, the French army was defeated. In a loss of 300,000 soldiers
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In September 1812, the two armies clashes and fought long and hard leaving French as victors. The Russians fell back once again leaving the French to reach Moscow. Once Napoleon reached Moscow, it was in flames. On their way back to France, the army was attacked over and over by Russian raiders. The temperatures dropped as well. By the time they had retreated from Moscow, the grand army of 420,000 was only a grand army of 10,000.
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In 1812, the Russian czar refused the idea of blocking Britain from trade. Along that, the two leaders both had their eyes on Poland. Their alliance soon became to crumble. Napoleon made a final decision to invade Russia. In June he arrived to Russia with his army of 420,000 soldiers. As Alexander (the king of Russia at the time) pulled back his troops, he burned everything on their way. Burning any food, grains, livestock, or supplies for the enemy.
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By 1813 all the major powers, Russia, Prussia, Sweden, Britain, and Austria, went to war with France. Napoleon was able to raise another army, except the army was made up of weak and unprepared soldiers. In October the army was faced with the European allied armies. The French army's defense quickly crumbled and thus lead to the invasion of France.
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In April 1814 Napoleon was exiled to Elba. After Napoleon's leave, Louise XVIII regained power. Though he quickly became a very unliked leader among the people. They assumed he wanted to bring back the days of Louise XVI.
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On March of 1815 a joyful crowd of French citizens welcomed Napoleon back to France as he escaped Elba. As a result the European allies got ready to attack. In April the Allies and Napoleon fought in Waterloo, Belgium. In two days, Napoleon was forced to retreat. Thus was the last bit of power Napoleon would have. He was shipped off to Napoleon St. Helena, to stay till he died in 1821.
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Napoleon was a great leader to say the least. He led France out of the mess it was in during the French Revolution. His bold personality and great military tactics played a large role. It became what caused his greatest victory and his greatest demise. I think he should be remembered as a strong war leader and generally a leader of France. Without Napoleon's actions, France could have fallen to another 100 years of monarchy.
