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Napoleons Birth
Napoleon was born on the island of Corsica. His parents sent him to military school at the age of nine in Paris. He finished at the age of 16 and became a lieutenant in the artillery. -
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Loss of American Territories
The ideas of revolution got to the people of Saint Domingue, and demanded the National Assembly to give them the same rights as the people of France. A civil war emerged, and Toussaint L’Ouverture took control. In 1801, Napoleon revisits the situation in Saint Domingue and tries to take back the colony. This was not successful. In 1803, Napoleon sells Louisiana to President Jefferson's Administration for 15 million. -
Hero of the Hour
Napoleon was given an opportunity to show his talent. He was given the order by a government official to defend the delegates. He was successful in completing his task and became the hero of the hour. -
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Napoleon’s Rise
Napoleon was one of the greatest military geniuses. His impact on the world is still noticeable today. He rose to power in only four years from a French army officer to the master of France. -
Napoleon leads the French Army
The Directory appointed Napoleon to lead the French Army in the fight against Austria and the Kingdom of Sardinia. He accomplished many victories in Italy. He later also attempted to improve French trade by disrupting British trade with India by leading an expedition to Egypt. He was unable to achieve victory against the Naval Forces of Horatio Nelson. -
Coup d'Etat
he Directory could not contain the political situation and the confidence of the people of France. Due to this, people urged him to control political power. Napoleon took action in November and commanded troops to surround the national legislature in order to drive out its members. Lawmakers voted out the Directory and appointed 3 councils, Napoleon one of them. -
Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
Napoleon decided to become emperor of France, and French voters supported him. There was a big celebration and he received a crown from the Pope. -
Battle of Trafalgar
This battle took place on the southwest coast of Spain. This was a naval battle far more important than any other battle that Napoleon could have won on land. Horatio Nelson destroyed the French fleet and had two major consequences. The first thing was how it ensured the dominance of the British Navy for the next 100 years. The other consequence was that Napoleon had to give up his plans of invading Britain. -
Continental System
Continental System was set up by Napoleon to prevent trade and communication to Great Britain and European nations. This system did not work because of how other nations disagreed to it, and Britain responded by initiating a blockade of their own. Their blockade was much stronger because of their navy. -
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The French Empire
The French Empire was very unstable, and was only able to last for 5 years. This empire was so large that by 1812 the only areas of Europe free from Napoleon’s control were Britain, Portugal, Sweeden, and the Ottoman Empire. -
The Peninsular War
This war was started in an attempt from Napoleon to force Portugal to join the Continental System. His invasion force passed through Spain, and many were angered by this. Napoleon also removed the Spanish king and instated his brother instead. -
Invasion of Russia
Alexander became Napoleon's ally. The Russian czar refused to sell grain to Britain. Russia and France started to compete over designs on Poland, causing this alliance to break. When the alliance is broken Napoleon decides to invade Russia. -
Battle of Borodino
The Russian army and the French army finally fight. Napoleon was able to move to the city of Moscow, and Alexander burned down the city instead of giving it up to the French. Napoleon stayed in the ruins of the city until October and left because of low temperatures. While he was leaving his army was attacked and lost many soilders. They were left with only 10,000 soilders when he came back to France of the original 420,000. -
Napoleon's Downfall
When most of his army died Napoleon was left very weak. His enemies took advantage of his weakness and decided to declare war. This causing the defeat of Napoleon, he was able to raise another army although this army was weak and easy to defeat. -
Allies towards France
The allied armies were moving towards France. This was lead by Federick William III of Prussia and Czar Alexander I led their troops in a triumphant parade through the French Capital. Napoleon wanted to fight on, but his generals refused. -
Giving up the Throne
He accepted the terms to surrender and gave up his throne. The victors gave Napoleon a small pension and exile or banished, him to Elba, a tiny island off the Italian coast. The allies expected no further trouble from Napoleon which wasn't the case. -
The Hundred Day
Louis XVIII troubles was all incentive Napoleon needed to try regime power. He escaped from Elba and on March 1, 1815 landed on France. He was welcomed in the march to Paris and thousand of volunteers swelled the ranks of his army. With in days Napoleon was again emperor of France. -
Napoleon's Exile
This defeat ended Napoleon power, called The Hundred Days. Taking no chances this time, the British shipped Napoleon to St. Helena. St. Helena was a remote island in the South America where he lived in lonely exile for six years, writing his memoirs. -
Napoleon and European Allies
European allies marshaled their armies. The British army, led by the Duke of Wellington prepared for battle near the Village of Waterloo in Belgium. In June 18 Napoleon attacked, the British army defended ground all day. Later the Prussian army arrived, together the British and the Prussian attacked France. Two days later Napoleon's army gave way and the British and Prussian forces chased them from the field. -
Napoleon's Death
Napoleon died in 1821 of a stomach ailment, perhaps cancer. Napoleon was a military genius and a brilliant administrator. Yet all his victories and other achievements must be measured against the million of lives lost in battles.
