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British and French forces fought the Battle of Toulon during the summer of 1793, and they fought over the port of Toulon in France. At the time, Napolean was only a soldier fighting in the battle, but his injured captain led him to take the lead of the French forces. Consequently, his excellent military strategies led to a French victory and his recognition by many.
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During the Napoleonic Wars, Napolean fought wars with other nations. The wars are referred to in chronological order as the War of the First Coalition until the War of the Seventh Coalition. Specifically, France was fighting against many nations that had formed alliances against it. For example, some of the alliances of the First War were Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain. The wars eventually caused France's empire to fall apart.
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In November of 1799, Napolean gathered officials of the Directory legislature and issued a transfer of power where he would be in charge of France politically. The coup d'état also established two other consuls where officials would have some representation in the government of France. In contrast to the previous seizes of government power in France, Napolean was able to become the leader of France with no blood on his hands.
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Napoleon issued a plebiscite to the public in order to declare himself an emperor and make his power indefinite and hereditary. When the majority of the public agreed to this, he had Pope Pius VII come to Paris from Rome to crown him emperor. As a signification of his self-established power and authority, he grabbed the crown from the Pope in order to crown himself.
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Napolean increased his power and popularity both in France and Europe by creating the Napoleonic Code. Although the code worked to establish laws throughout France and diminish injustice, it also and encouraged order over individual freedom, such as the freedom of the press. Additionally, the code worked to improve the education system for military and government purposes. Through his code, Napolean encouraged nationalism and instituted a few democratic reforms that progressed France and Europe.
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Napolean was persistent in defeating the British throughout his age. When a military battle with British forces ended in a defeat for France, Napolean issued a blockade that prevented French ships and allied ships from trading with Britain. Although met with a counter trade restriction from Britain, Napolean's main goal was to weaken Britain's economy to stop it from funding European nations to rebel against him. However, he was unsuccessful as many nations did not follow this plan.
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Because Portugal refused to accept the Continental System, Napolean ordered French forces into Portugal to banish the king and take power. Since Portugal is bordered by Spain, he removed the royal family from Spain's government and appointed his brother instead. But, the Spaniards and Portugals revolted and British forces took control of Portugal. Napolean and his troops left Spain, as he was unable to gain more power.
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In October 1813, Napolean battled with Great Britain and its alliances in the Battle of Leipzig after a serious loss fighting Russia. However, Napolean's losses did not stop with Russia as he surrendered to enemy forces in this battle. As a result, he had to give up his throne and was exiled to Elba, an island near the coast of Italy. Consequently, the French monarchy was restored, Louis XVIII was crowned king, and Napolean's power, along with a new France, was lost.
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Following his year in exile on Elba, Napolean was able to escape back to France on a ship. After reaching France, he traveled to Paris and was met with praise from the public. Although some French opposed him for the countless wars he put France through, the majority were in support of him, including the soldiers sent to arrest him, because of the new revolutionary reforms that he made to France. This glory for Napolean lasted 100 days and established him as ruler of France, once again.
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After the Hundred Days, British troops, under the Duke of Wellington, were preparing to go to war with Napolean and France. On June 18, 1815, the two armies met near Waterloo, although they ended up fighting the next day. However, Napolean's army could not defeat Britain's forces and the troops of its allies. Even though both sides suffered many casualties, Napolean was devastated at France's defeat and the battle became his last and the last of the Napoleonic Wars.
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After the Battle of Waterloo and Napolean's devastating defeat and end in military occupation, he tried to escape France and Europe by heading to the Americas. But before he could do so, he was caught and exiled to a farther away location than Elba. Napolean was sent away to Saint Helena, a small island near Africa's coast. After just six years spent on the island, he later died of uncertain causes.
