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Napoleon is Born
Napoleon Bonaparte is born on the island of Corsica, off the south-eastern coast of France. -
Start of the French Revolution
Many people consider the storming of the Bastille prison in Paris to be the start of the French Revolution. -
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The Reign of Terror
This was the period of the French Revolution in which there was a lot of violence, caused by conflict between the Girondin and Jacobin political parties. Over 35,000 people were executed because they were supposed enemies of the Revolution. -
Battle of Toulon
Toulon was a port on the south coast of France. It was an important naval base and there were also British ships staying there. Napoleon helped to undermine the British and take control of Toulon. -
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Egyptian Campaign
This was Napoleon's campaign in Egypt to Protect French trade in the area and to create scientific enterprise there. Napoleon and his army were eventually forced to retreat and return back to France, where they told no one of their failure. -
18 Brumaire Coup
This event was what ended the French Revolution. The Directory was replaced with the new French Consulate. -
Vote on First Consul for Life
Napoleon was voted to be First Consul for Life, giving him most of the power over the goverment. -
Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was a set of laws established by Napoleon that ensured no privileges would be granted based on birth, allowed freedom of religion, and gave government jobs to the most qualified. Most of the people of France agreed with this Code, and it helped Napoleon to win favor with the people. -
Napoleon's Coronation
Napoleon's coronation was a very grand ceremony, modeled after those of past great Roman emperors. He shocked many people by taking the crown from the hands of the Pope and placing it on his own head, as a display of his power. The common people of France were not touched by this, and most were simply amused at it. -
Battle of Trafalgar
This battle was fought between the British Royal Navy and the combined French and Spanish Navies. The British were very successful, and didn't lose a single ship, while the French and Spanish together lost 23. -
Battle of Austerlitz
This battle against the Russo-Austrian army was one of Napoleon's greatest victories. The battle lasted nearly nine hours, and took place near Austerlitz, which at that time was in the Austrian Empire. -
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Continental System
This was issued in response to the blockade of the French navy on the coasts. It was Napoleon's policy, which put a very large embargo on British trade. -
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Peninsular War
This was a conflict between France and Spain, the UK, and Portugal. The war was fought over control of the Iberian Peninsula -
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Invasion of Russia
The official cause for this invasion was to free Poland from Russia, but Napoleon's main goal was to force Russia to stop trading with England, to put pressure on the British government. -
Retreat from Moscow
When Napoleon and his army arrived in Moscow, they found the entire city evacuated with no supplies left behind. The harsh Russian winter soon forced the army to leave and retreat back to France. They lost thousands of soldiers on the journey. -
Battle of Leipzig
This battle was fought by the French army under Napoleon against the allied frces of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden. The French had just over half the men the other side had. This battle was the first time Napoleon had ever been really defeated in Battle. -
Exile to Elba
Napoleon was forced to abdicate and was exiled to the island of Elba. -
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Hundred Days
This period marks Napoleon's return from exile to the restoration of King Louis XVII. -
Exile to St. Helena
Napoleon was exiled a second time, this time to the island of St. Helena. He was kept there for 6 years until he died. -
Battle of Waterloo
This was Napoleon's last battle. His defeat in it marked the end of his reign and the end of his hundred days return from exile. -
Napoleon's Death
Napoleon died at age 51, at Longwood.
