2. I. Napoleon Bonaparte
A. Born 1769 in Corsica
B. Military school in France
3. C. Joined the French Revolution
1. 1795, hero: defended
National Convention
from royalists
2. 1796: Directory
makes Napoleon
head of army
a. Victory: war hero
b. Egypt: defeated by
British – returns to
Paris as hero before
news gets there
Rosetta
4. II. Napoleon takes control
A. Nov. 1799: Coup d’etat (sudden seizing of
power, usually by the military to overthrow the
government)
1. Paris and the Directory in chaos
2. Napoleon’s troops take control of Assembly
3. Forces Assembly to dissolve Directory
a. Replaced by 3 “Consuls”
4. Napoleon takes control as “First Consul”
From 3 to 1
5. B. 1800: Plebiscite (vote of people)
approves new constitution
1. All power given to Napoleon
6. C. Napoleon restores order, makes
reforms
1. Finances: fair tax system
2. Education Reform: lycees
public schools for all
3. Concordat: compromise
with Church
a. Separate church and
state
4. Napoleonic Code –
system of laws
a. Promoted
order, restricted liberties
7.
8. 1804: crowns himself Emperor
1. Moves to expand his empire
a. 1803: Sells “Louisiana” to US for $15 million
b. 1804: attacks European enemies
c. 1805: British navy defeats French
1) Ends plan to invade Britain
d. 1812: controls much of Europe
9. Napoleon crowns
himself Emperor
At the moment of the crowning when the
Pope said, "Receive the imperial crown..."
Napoleon unexpectedly turned
and, forestalling the Pope, removed his
laurel wreath and crowned himself and
then crowned the kneeling Joséphine with
a small crown surmounted by a
cross, which he had first placed on his own
head.
