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Napoleon Invades Italy
Napoleon led the French troops into Italy. The French defeated the Austrians. As a result of this victory, France aquired Belgium from Austria. France also aquired hundreds of art treasures, which were placed in the Louvre, the French national Museum. -
Egypt
Two years later, Napoleon sailed for Egypt, where British forces were stationed. He won a great land victory there, but the British fleet destroyed the French fleet. The French suceeded in establishing their influence in Egypt. Also, the soldiers accompanying Napoleon discovered the Rosetta Stone. -
The Consulate
Napolean set up a new government called the Consulate. He placed himself at its head and took the title of First Consul. -
Austria
In 1801, Napoleon led French forces to victory over Austria. -
Peace Treaty with Great Britain
Napoleon arranged a peace treaty with Great Britain. -
First Consul
Napoleon asked the people to elect him First Consul fpr life. They did so in plebiscite, or popular vote. Two years later, French made Napoleon emperor of France. His coronation was held in the Notre Dame Cathedral. -
Britain Declares War on France
In 1803, Great Britain, threatened by Napoleon's actions, declared war on France. Great Britain and its allies, however, were not able to stop Napoleon and his soldiers. -
Emperor
Napoleon was crowned emperor of France. The Pope come from Rome for the crowning but did not have a chance to place the crown on Napoleon's head. Instead, Napoleon took the crown from the Pope's hands and crowned himself. Being Emperor of France wasnt enought for Napoleon. He wanted to build a Grand Empire that would take the place of the Holy Roman Empire. He had the advantage of an army whose soldiers worshiped their emperor and whose officers were chosen because they were were aristocrats. -
Napoleon Crowned Himself King of Italy
In 1805, Napoleon had himself crowned King of Italy. -
Confederation of Rhine
In 1806, Napoleon formed the Confederation of the Rhine, which consisted of a group of conquered German states. -
Invaded Spain and Portugal
In 1808, Napoleon invaded Spain and Portugal. -
Papal States
In 1809, Napoleon made the Papal States part of France and put the Pope in prison. France's boundaries now included much of Europe. -
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Great Britain
Great Britain and Russia remained undefeated by Napoleon. Napoleon forbade the countries in his empire to trade with Great Britain, which he called a "nation of shopkeepers". His order was proved unsuccessful -
Invading Russia
Napoleon decided to go after Russia. In 1812, the Grand Army invaded Russia. Russia did not fight, except for one. They retreated and burned their villages and food supplies, leaving nothing for the advancing French. This is also called scorched-earth policy. -
French Freeze
Hundreads and thousands of French soldiers froze to death as temperatures fell to 40 degrees below zero. Thousands more died from disease and lack of food. In the end, fewer than 100,000 soldiers made it back to France. -
Moscow
Napoleon reached Moscow in September, which had been abandoned by the Russains. Shortly after the French arrived, the city caught fire and three fourths of it was destroyed. The french army now had neither food nor shelter.Napoleon sent several peace proposals to the Russians, which they ignored. He gave order to withdraw because the bitter Russian winter had started. -
Allies Join Together
Napoleon raised another army, but the new soldiers were not well trained. They were defeated by the allied forces of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain. This was the first time the four countries had joined together to fight Napoleon. -
Allies Take Paris
In 1814, the allies took Paris, and Napoleon was forced to abdictate, or give up throne. He was sent into excile to the small island of Elba off the coast of Italy. He managed to escape, however, and gathered together enough troops to invade France. -
Waterloo
The allies, under the British leadership of the Duke of Wellington, finally defeated him in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo. -
Death
Napoleon was sent to the island of St. Helena off the west coast of Africa, where he died in 1821.