RISE OF NAPOLEON AND THE NAPOLEONIC WARS Chapter 22.3 NAPOLEON BONAPARTE
Napoleon was a skilled military leader Captain at age 22 Brigadier general at age 24 Commander of the French armies in Italy at age 26 Napoleon won many battles as Commander of French armies in Italy Earned respect of his troops and fellow officers
CONSUL AND EMPEROR
After overthrowing the Directory in a coup d'état, Consulate becomes gov’t A republic in theory Napoleon named consul, held absolute power Later crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I Napoleon made peace with Catholic Church and the pope He created the Napoleonic Code Code of laws that preserved many principles fought for in the Revolution Equality of all citizens before the law Religious toleration Loss of rights for women and children
PRESERVER OR DESTROYER OF THE REVOLUTION?
Preserver Destroyer Created national education Education was heavily indoctrinated system Women and children lost many rights Guaranteed many rights in the in Napoleonic Code Napoleonic Code Heavily censored the press and even Reopened newspapers mail Created merit-based Gave highest offices to friends and bureaucracy family Became dictator and emperor
NAPOLEON’S EMPIRE
Napoleon warred with various European nations including Russia, Spain, and Britain Continually won decisive battles; master strategist Napoleon spread some Revolution principles to nations he conquered Equality before law; religious tolerance; merit-based gov’t Napoleon helped influence development of modern Europe
RESISTANCE TO NAPOLEON Napoleon never conquered Great Britain because of its powerful navy Napoleon suffers first major defeat at Battle of Trafalgar Napoleon then demanded his allies cease trading with Britain Most continue in secret or refuse Britain trades more with Middle East and Latin America instead Rise of nationalism helped defeat Napoleon Nationalism: unique cultural identify of a people based on common language, religion, and national symbols