-
Napoleon Bonaparte's Birth
On August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in Ajaccio, Corsica. This town was populated by many Italians, as it was just added to France months before his birth. Napoleon's family included 5 sons and 3 daughters. -
Napoleon becomes a Brigadier General
Napoleon becomes this rank after impressing higher ranking people by defending National Convention delegates from Royalists. This event was called the 'Battle of Toulon'. -
Campaign in Italy
Napoleon's army invades Italy in order to defend against the Anti-Revolutionary groups starting in Italy. This is important because it got France closer to conquering more countries. -
Campaign in Egypt
Napoleon campaigned in Egypt in order to end British trade routes with countries and British colonies like British India. It did not work out well for the French. -
Concordat
Concordat gave Catholic churches their calendar, land, and independence back. This made a lot of peasant people happy. -
First Consul for Life
Napoleon became the First Consul at age 30. He gave the church freedom, which made people completely forget about the horrible Campaign in Egypt. -
Establishes Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was a document of laws set by Napoleon. Some of the laws included government jobs were offered to the most qualified people, people were not born into poverty, and everyone had a chance to become wealthy or poor. -
Becomes French Emperor
On May 14th, 1804, France crowned Napoleon 'Emperor of the French'. This was an important event because it marked the beginning of his legacy. -
Battle of Trafalgar
This battle occured when the Spanish and French navy's fought against the Royal Navy. The Royal Navy was lead by Lord Nelson. It was fought close to the coast of Spain. This battle did not end out in France or Spain's favor, and was a major defeat. -
The Continental System
The Continental System was a blockade that prevented Britain from trading with other countries. Napoleon's system did not work because some countries did not care about this blockade. The British then weakened the French by stopping all American trades with the French. -
Campaign in Russia
The Campaign in Russia made France struggle trying to conquer Russia. Russian people adopted a 'scorched-earth' policy, which burned all the crops. With the Russian Winter incoming, and French soldiers with no food, they had to retreat. France came into Russia with 600,000 soldiers and left with 10,000 soldiers able to fight. This was the biggest defeat under Napoleon. -
Elba
After Napoleon was defeated in Russia, he exiled to Russia. Elba is an island near Italy. He becomes bored and escapes back to France where he finds everyone waiting for him and celebrating his returning. He becomes the leader of France again. -
Waterloo
Napoleon's first battle since he returned from Elba. Again Napoleon is defeated, and this time he is exiled for good. -
St. Helena
Napoleon is exiled as a British prisoner to St. Helena, an island in the South Atlantic Ocean. -
Death of Napoleon
On May 5th, 1821 Napoleon dies due to a stomach ulcer on the island of St. Helena.
