The French Revolution and Napoleon

Chapter 6
The French Revolution and

Napoleon
Section 4
The Age of Napole
on (Rise of
Napoleon)
The Age of Napoleon
From 1799 to 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte would dominate France
and Europe. A hero to some, an evil force to others, he gave his
name to the final phase of the revolution.
Napoleon:
•Born in Corsica, a French-ruled island in the Mediterranean.
•At the age of nine, he was sent to France to be trained for a

military career.
•Favored the Jacobins, by the age of 20 he quickly rose through

the military ranks as a lieutenant.
•Despite his military success Napoleon’s attempted invasion of

Egypt was a disaster. He was able to hide his failed attempt
from France b establishing a network of spies and censoring the
press.
By 1799, Napoleon moved from victorious general to political
leader. He helped overthrow the weak French government that
existed at the time and set up a three-man governing board
known as the Consulate. Napoleon soon took the title First
Counsel. In 1800, he forced Spain to return the Louisiana Territory
to France.
In 1802, Napoleon assumed the title of Emperor of the French. By

this point, Napoleon was strongly supported by the French.
Napoleon Reforms France
Napoleon strengthened the central government in France. To
restore economic prosperity, Napoleon controlled prices,
encourage new industry, and built roads and canals. He set up a
system of public schools under strict government control to
ensure well-trained officials and military officers. At the same
time Napoleon backed off from some of the revolution’s social
reforms. He made peace with the Catholic church in the
Concordat of 1801. The Concordat kept the Church under state
control but recognized religious freedom for Catholics.
Revolutionaries who opposed the church denounced the
agreement, but Catholics welcomed it.
Napoleon won support across class lines. He encouraged
émigrés to return, provided they take an oath of loyalty.
Peasants were relived when he recognized their right to lands
they had bought from the church and nobles during the
revolution. The middle class, who had benefited most from the
revolution, approved of Napoleon’s economic reforms and the
restoration of order after years of chaos. Napoleon also opened
jobs to all, based on talent.
Napoleonic code- One of Napoleon’s most important reforms,

this set of laws included such freedoms as equality of all citizens
before the law, religious toleration, and the abolition of feudalism.
Even though the Napoleonic Code gave many rights to the French
it also took some away. Women, for example, lost most of their
newly gained rights and could not exercise the rights of
citizenship. Male heads of household regained complete authority
Napoleon Builds an Empire
From 1804-1812, Napoleon furthered his reputation on the
battlefield. He successfully battled the combined forces of the
greatest European powers.
As a military leader, Napoleon valued rapid movements and made

effective use of his large armies. He developed a new plan for
each battle so opposing generals could never anticipate what he
would do next. His enemies paid tribute to his leadership.
Map of Europe is redrawn – As Napoleon created a vast French

empire, he redrew the map of Europe. He annexed (included or
added on) his empire, the Netherlands, Belgium, and parts of Italy
and Germany. He also abolished the powerful and long lasting
Holy Roman Empire.
Napoleon controlled much of Europe through forceful dipolmacy.
One tactic was placing friends and relatives on the thrones of
Europe.
In France, Napoleon’s successes boosted the spirit of nationalism.

Great victory parades filled the streets of Paris with cheering
crowds. The people celebrated the glory and grandeur that
Napoleon had gained for France.
Napoleon Strikes Britain- Britain remained outside Napoleon’s

European empire. With only a small army, Britain relied on its sea
power to stop Napoleon’s drive to rule the continent. In 1805,
Napoleon prepared to invade England. Napoleon and the French
army were crushed by the British navy.
Napoleon realized that he could not beat the British in battle.

Instead of combat, Napoleon waged war against the British
economy. He developed the Continental System, which closed
European ports to British goods. In the end this system failed to
bring Britain to its knees. Trade restrictions created a scarcity
of goods in Europe, sent prices soaring, and intensified
resentment against French power.

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Chapter 6

The French Revolution and

•At the age of nine, he was sent to France to be trained for a

•Favored the Jacobins, by the age of 20 he quickly rose through

•Despite his military success Napoleon’s attempted invasion of

In 1802, Napoleon assumed the title of Emperor of the French. By

Napoleonic code- One of Napoleon’s most important reforms,

As a military leader, Napoleon valued rapid movements and made

Map of Europe is redrawn – As Napoleon created a vast French

In France, Napoleon’s successes boosted the spirit of nationalism.

Napoleon Strikes Britain- Britain remained outside Napoleon’s

Napoleon realized that he could not beat the British in battle.

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