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Accomplishments of Napoleon
Napoleon was a military genius and his accomplishments not only provided freedom for himself but for many other people too. -
Loss of American Territories
After hearing the ideas of the Revolution, the planters in Saint Domingue demanded that the National Assembly give them the same privileges as the people of France. Enslaved Africans of the colony soon got the word and wanted their freedom too. This started a civil war which led to the enslaved Africans gaining control of the colony. However, in 1801 Napoleon decided to take back the colony. He failed to do this so he decided to sell the Louisiana Territory to America for $15 million. -
Coup D'etat (Becoming Dictator)
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Napoleon Crowned as Emperor
In 1804, Napoleon decided that he wanted to make himself emperor and most people in France supported him. On December 2, 1804, he walked down the aisle of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris where the pope waited for him at the end with a crown. Napoleon showed that he was more powerful than the church by placing the crown on his head by himself, whereas the church was traditionally in charge of that task -
Napoleonic Code
The Napoleonic Code was Napoleon's comprehensive system of laws. This gave the country a distinct set of laws and got rid of many injustices. However, this system of laws did not help the country make any progress towards basic human rights. -
Conquering of Europe
Napoleon decided to focus on Europe and not the New World. He'd already asked the Netherlands and parts of Italy to help him set up a puppet government in Switzerland. Britain then asked Russia, Austria, and Sweden to join them against France because they felt threatened by Napoleon's ambitions. Napoleon battled the opposition and won which forced Russia, Prussia and Austria to sign peace treaties. It also allowed him to build the largest European empire since that of the Romans. -
Continental System
In order to make continental Europe more self-sufficient and destroy Britain's economy, Napoleon set up a blockade. This prevented communication and trade between Britain and all other European nations. However, this blockade didn't stop cargo from getting from Britain into Europe. Britain made a stronger blockade and to enforce this blockade, the British navy stopped neutral ships and forced them to be searched and taxed. American ships were stopped and they declared war on Britain in 1812. -
Invasion of Russia (Scorched Earth Policy)
Napoleon decided to invade Russia because of a breakdown in their alliance. Russia practiced a scorched earth policy which was involved burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock so that they would leave nothing for the enemy to eat. On September 7, 1812, the two armies finally fought and Russians allowed Napoleon to move on to Moscow. When he got there, the city was in flames. Napoleon stayed there until October and then went back to France. Russia eventually attacked Napoleon's army. -
Waterloo
Louis XVIII became king and most people didn't like him, especially the peasants. They thought he wanted to undo the Revolution's land reforms. Hearing about Louis's troubles was the motivation Napoleon needed to try to regain power. He escaped from Elba and arrived in France on March 1, 1815. Napoleon soon became emperor of France again. In response, the British army prepared for battle near the village of Waterloo in Belgium. The British and Prussian forces worked together to defeat France. -
The Hundred Days
Britain's defeat of France ended Napoleon's last bid for power. Napoleon was shipped to St. Helena, an island in the South Atlantic, by the British. He lived there for six years and died 1821 from a stomach ailment. -
Concordat
The French Revolution introduced many new changes, many regarding religion. The clergy and the peasants wanted to restore the position of the church in France. Napoleon signed a concordat with Pope Pius VII agreeing to establish a new relationship between the church and the state. This concordat led to support from the church and most of the French people.
