Napoleon

1
Napoleon

• The Rise of an Emperor

2
Napoleons Rise to Power

• 1769 Born to a lower-level Noble family on the
  Island of Corsica, a French controlled island in
  the Mediterranean
• At age 9, he was sent to France to begin his
  military training
• During the French Revolution, he rose quickly in
  the ranks of the French Army

3
Rise to Power Contd

• Napoleon enjoyed numerous military victories in
  Austria and Northern Italy. He also suffered
  major losses, but was able to hide that fact from
  his superiors in the French Army.
• Once he returned from his tours of duty, Napoleon
  converted from a Military leader to a political
  leader.

4
From Military to Political Leader

• 1799 Napoleon helped to overthrow the Directory,
  the informal government created in France after
  Robespierres death.
• He set up a three-man government body called the
  Consulate. He made himself the First Consul,
  and later, made himself consul for life.

5
From Political Leader to Emperor

• Two years after the Consulate was formed,
  Napoleon had enough power to name himself
  Emperor of France.
• 1804 He asked the Pope to preside over the
  ceremony, but during the ceremony, he took the
  crown from the Popes hand and crowned himself
  Emperor.
• WHY DID HE DO THAT?

6
France Under Napoleon Reformer

• To fix the poor economy in France, Napoleon
  controlled prices, encouraged new businesses,
  built roads and canals.
• He replaced Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
  with Order, Security and Efficiency as the
  French slogan.
• He set up a strict public school program under
  government controlstressed militarism and
  nationalism

7
Napoleon as Reformer Contd

• Napoleon improved relations with the Catholic
  Church at the Concordat of 1801 which established
  a state controlled Catholic church, but allowed
  religious freedom for Catholics.
• He encouraged immigrants to come to France as
  long as they took and oath of loyalty
• He gave peasants the right to continue to own
  land

8
Napoleon as Reformer Contd

• He made jobs open to talent meaning talent, not
  birthright, determined your ability.
• NAPOLEONIC CODE
• All male citizens are equal before the law
• Advancement was based on talent/drive
• Religious tolerance
• Women lost rights under the N.C., Napoleon gave
  fathers and husbands complete control over their
  families (Napoleon insisted on rigid control)

9
Napoleon as Empire Builder

• Napoleons greatest ability was being a military
  leader.
• He won many battles across all of Europe
• Suffered defeats as well, but downplayed them
• ANNEXED the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of
  Italy and Germany.
• Ended the Holy Roman Empire and created the
  Rhine Confederation, a 38 member alliance, under
  French Rule

10
Napoleon as Nation Builder Contd

• To keep peace across Europe, he would often
  unseat a King or Queen, then place family members
  or friends as the new ruler. (Spain/Joseph
  Bonaparte)
• All of this expansion and his military victories
  quickly glorified Napoleon and France. There was
  extreme Nationalism in France.