French Empire 1804-1815

  • Civil Code, also known as the Napoleonic Code Promoted

    Civil Code, also known as the Napoleonic Code Promoted
    After four years of debating, Napoleon implements the first consistent set of laws and restrictions after the French Revolution. These laws centered around property, colonial affairs, and individual rights.
    http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/c_code.html
  • Napoleon Crowned Himself Emperor

    Napoleon Crowned Himself Emperor
    At Napoleon's coronation, Pope Pius VII handed Napoleon the crown and Napoleon placed the crown on his own head. This was very unusual because the pope would normally crown the future leader. Napoleon was crowned at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
  • Napoleon is crowned king of Italy in Milan.

    Napoleon is crowned king of Italy in Milan.
    Napoleon went from being the "President of the Italian Republic" to being "Napoleon I King of Italy". This really started Italy as a country itself because now it was a kingdom instead of the state-like property that it was before. Napoleon also named his step-son his viceroy and later Prince of Italy.
  • Napoleon signs Treaty of Pressburg

    This treaty was very harsh towards the Austrians causing them to surrender their Italian territory to the French. They also agreed to have two of Napoleon's allies ranked as kings. http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/diplomatic/c_pressburg.html
  • Napoleon establishes the Confederation of the Rhine

    The establishment of the Confederation of the Rhine effectively ended the Holy Roman Empire. (The Holy Roman Empire was established by Charlemagne in 800.) The Confederation of the Rhine unified all German states excluding Prussia and Austria. This allowed France to dominate the country.
  • Napoleon defeats Prussia at the Battles of Jena-Auerstadt

    Napoleon had an easy triumph over the outdated Prussian army in Jena and Auerstädt, Saxony. Napoleon took half of his troops and surprised Prussia's armies, leaving Prussia to small, not thought out attacks. Napoleon took over Prussia within six weeks before Russia aided them.
    https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Jena
  • Napoleon defeats the Russians at the Battle of Friedland

    This battle was just a smaller part of the War of the 4th Coalition. However, it wasn't a very small battle at all as the Russians brought 76,000 soldiers and the French brought 71,000. The Russians suffered around 30,000 casualties during this quick, but taxing battle. The French had only 10,000 casualties, but most of them were to Napoleon's main army. This battle basically ended the War of the 4th Coalition after Tsar Alexander I sued for peace less than a week after the battle.
  • France's first Loss

    In 1808, France was defeated by Spain. Napoleon got involved in an argument between King Charles IV and his son Ferdinand. Napoleon took over Spain and imprisoned King Charles IV and Ferdinand. He then moved his brother Joseph, Kingdom of Naples, to the throne of Spain. The Spaniards became very powerful and defeated Napoleon's troops. In October the British troops came to Spain, and the French could not control the borders, letting Spain easily attack. http://www.fsmitha.com/h3/h34-np4d.html
  • Napoleon gains command of the army of Spain

    Originally the French and Spanish armies had been working together to take over much of the Peninsular area. They had just conquered Portugal when Napoleon decided to turn on the Spanish and took them over. He named his brother the head of Spain and took their troops with him to fight.
  • Napoleon defeats Austrians at the Battle of Wagram

    (5-6 July) This event forced Austria to sign a truce which eventually lead to the Treaty of Schönbrunn. The Treaty of Schönbrunn ended the war with Austria in 1809.
  • Rome annexed to French Empire

    This happened because the Pope annoyed Napoleon by not sanctioning the annulment of the marriage of Jerome, his brother. Then Napoleon occupied Rome and other parts of the papal states in 1808. This was followed up two years later with the annexation of the whole city of Rome and all that remained of the Papal States. Pius VII responded by excommunicating Napoleon from the church. He then was immediately arrested and imprisoned in France.
  • North German territories annexed to French Empire

    The French empire continued to expand by adding Northern German territories to its own.
  • Defeat in Russia

    Defeat in Russia
    Napoleon took his Grande Armée to destroy Russia but they were faced by an army consisting of Russia, Prussia, Sweden, and Austria. The Allies' troops almost doubled France's troops. The French were leading on the first day of battle, but on the second day the Allies' numbers saved the battle for them. This was the first battle of Napoleon's that was clearly lost simply by looking at the battleground.
    http://www.history.com/topics/battle-of-leipzig
  • Collapse of the Confederation of the Rhine and Napoleon's power in Germany.

    (October - November) They needed Napoleon to do well in battle in order to keep the Confederation alive. The downfall ended with Napoleon losing the Battle of Leipzig in 1813.
  • Metternich offers Napoleon the 'Frankfurt Proposals'

    (Through November) The Frankfurt Proposals are peace terms that gave Napoleon the opportunity to surrender and remain 'Emperor of France.' Napoleon refused this deal.
  • Treaty of Chaumont

    The four powers that defeated Napoleon (Britain, Austria, Prussia, Russia) agree that if France were ever to regain too much power again, they would ally for 20 years.
  • Napoleon is abdicated and agrees to go into exile in Elba

    Napoleon resigns his position and agrees to go into exile on the island of Elba. The terms state that he will receive a regular salary of 2 million francs a year and he could keep the title Emperor.
  • Napoleon's second abdication.

    In 1814, Napoleon stepped down from the throne of France and was exiled to the island Elba. Napoleon stepped down because of his loss in Russia in 1812. His troops split, and he stepped down for his son.
    http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-exiled-to-elba
  • Napoleon takes control of France again

    Napoleon arrives in Paris after escaping Elba. He takes control which causes Louis XVIII to flee. This starts the Hundred Days campaign.
  • Takeover of Napolean Empire

    Takeover of Napolean Empire
    In Waterloo, Belgium, in June of 1815, Napoleon faced the British-Prussian army who was under the rule of the Duke of Wellington. Napoleon lost brutally, then was exiled by Allies to St. Helena, an island off the western coast of Africa. Napoleon stayed in exile until he died in 1821. The French government had to deal with his infamous legacy for many years after his death.
    http://animalfarm-napoleonstakeover.blogspot.com/
  • Battle of Waterloo Defeat

    Battle of Waterloo Defeat
    The battle of Waterloo became the end of the Napoleon Empire. Napoleon was defeated by an army under the rule of the Duke of Wellington. After the battle, Napoleon went back to Paris and decided to leave France. He surrendered in Britain, then was exiled. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/napoleon-defeated-at-waterloo
  • Second Treaty of Paris signed

    Second Treaty of Paris signed
    The second Treaty of Paris made the rules for France much more strict. The document was made because Napoleon escaped Elba, and the French welcomed him back with open arms.The second treaty got rid of France's "insurance", in the forms of territory and money.

    http://www.napoleon-empire.com/official-texts/treaty-of-paris-1815.phphttps://www.britannica.com/event/Treaties-of-Paris-1814-1815