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Napoleon is Born
On August 15, 1769, Napoleon Bonaparte was born in the city of Ajaccio, Corsica. He was the 4th of 11 children. His parents were Carlo Buonaparte and Letizia Romolino. Napoleon's father was a member of a noble Italian family, and he remained on the good side of the French, even after they took over Corsica. -
Napoleon is sent to a French Aristocratic Military School
At age 10, Napoleon was able to enter aristocratic French military schools, and he was sent to one in 1779. Napoleon would later transfer to the College of Brienne, which was a separate French military school. Although Napoleon was bullied and picked on for not being very fluent in French (His original language was Spanish,) and for his small appearance, he got a good education nontheless. -
Napoleon Becomes a Second Lieutenant of the French Army
By 1785, Napoleon was a second lieutenant in the French army, however Napoleon wanted to climb the ranks to a higher position. This was difficult for him, as the French ranking system would give people power based on nobility, rather than talent. This would be changed by the French Revolution. -
know This: Causes of the Revolution
Rampant famine, starvation, and unemployment all went along with the political problems of the revolution (such as France's empty treasury, lack of leadership from Louis XVI, and oppression of the third estate). Bread prices soared tremendously, to the point where French families were spending about 70-90% percent of their income on bread alone. -
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The French Revolution
A revolution in order to overthrow King Louis XVI, to build a republic, and to grow equality amongst the people of France. King Louis XVI was beheaded on January 21, 1793. The French revolution ultimately ended when Napoleon named himself "First Consul." -
Storming of the Bastille
French state prison that was stormed by French citizens. It is also considered to be the official start of the French Revolution -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens
A monumental human civil rights document that greatly expanded the equality of men before the law, which was adopted by the national assembly. This was also the first step towards writing a constitution in France (Think social contracts from the Enlightenment: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau). This also makes for great contextualization in DBQs and LEQs. -
Declarations of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
- All men were born and remain free and equal in rights
- Natural rights to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression
- The Constitution insisted that governments exist to protect the natural rights of citizens
- Equality before the law for males
- Right to hold public office with no distinction other than their virtues and talents
- Freedom of religion
- Taxes levied according to ability to pay
- "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity to the death"
- Excluded Women
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Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen
Written by Olympe de Gouges, advocated for the rights of women that were neglected in the writing of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. KNOW THIS FOR CONTEXT OF THE WOMEN QUESTION. This also helped to develop the feminist movement that would be especially prevalent later in the 1800s, although these ideas would never be implemented during the French revolution or Napoleonic era. -
Napoleon is Involved in a Struggle for Power
In 1792, Napoleon was involved in a struggle for power with Pasquale Paoli, who wanted Corsican independence, while Napoleon himself was supporting the French nationalists. Paoli was victorious, and then turned against Napoleon and his family, causing them to leave, and go to France. -
Napoleon is Promoted to Captain of the Regula Army
Napoleon becomes a captain in the regular army, despite returning to Corsica and leading a riot against a French army. -
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Radical Phase of the Revolution
This phase started with the creation of the French Republic, and showcased the severe and extreme social and political changes that occurred during the revolution such as the rise of the Jacobins. -
France Declared war on Austria and Prussia
France declared war on Austria and Prussia, who responded by invading. This started the war of the first coalition. -
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War of the First Coalition
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The French Republic was Established
The national convention was established, after abolishing the monarchy and arresting Louis XVI. During this period, nobles also decided to willingly give up some of their exclusive rights (not paying taxes, hunting, status) for the better of the people. This phase also achieved some enlightened goals such as equality of all males before the law (Locke). -
King Louis XVI is Executed via the Guillotine
After trying to appear excited about the Revolution to save his position, King Louis XVI was eventually killed after revolutionaries decided it would progress the revolution if he were killed. -
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The Siege of Toulon
Napoleon defeats the British at Toulon, gaining back some land for France, and securing a much valued harbor in France.29 August – 19 December 1793 -
General/ Austro-Piedmontese armies
Napoleon, being promoted to general, was sent south, to
Italy where he would fight the Austro-Piedmontese armies. He defeated them. -
Napoleon assisted the suppression of a royalist insurrection against the revolutionary government in Paris and was then promoted to major general.
In 1795, Napoleon helped suppress an royalist insurrection against the revolutionary government in Paris and then became major general. -
Napoleon puts down a royalist uprising in Paris
Throughout the year 1795, Napoleon put down a royalist uprising in Paris, giving him the promotion to major general. -
Spain, Austria, and Prussia
By 1795, French had captured the Austrian Netherlands, and pushed Spain and Prussia out of the war with the Peace of Basel. -
The Directory is Established
A five-member governing system that governed France for four years until Napoleon's coup which set up the consulate. This government was a reaction to the extremities of the Reign of Terror and radical phase of the revolution before it. -
End of the War of The First Coalition
Armies under Napoleon were crushing Habsburg forces, and removed them from the Northern part of the Italian Peninsula. This exposed Vienna, and therefor the Austrians had sue for peace with the Treaty of Campo Formio, ending the war of the first coalition. -
Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign
On July 21, 1798, Napoleon fought in the Battle of The Pyramids, Mount Tabor, Abukir. Although for some, this wasn't much of a victory for many as there were many casualties, Napoleon used his propaganda skills to deceive the people of France. This would ultimately give Napoleon political power, and popularity. This began the War of the second coalition. -
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The War of the Second Coalition
This was the time period in which Napoleon would fight against the allies for the second time. -
Napoleon declares himself "First Consul"
Upon Napoleon's arrival from Egypt, came the fall of the Directory in the Coup of 18 Brumaire. This then caused a three-member Consulate in which Napoleon would declare himself "First Consul." -
The Battle of Marengo
The battle of Marengo happened during the war of the second coalition, and came out to be a close, and hard fought victory. Napoleon fought with 28,000 men up against 31,000 Austrian troops. Napoleon considered this to be one of his finest triumphs. This victory also secured Napoleon's civilian, and military authority. After that, another decisive victory at Hohenlinden in Bavaria led the Austrians to once again, sue for peace with the Treaty of Lunéville in 1801. -
The treaty of Amiens
After Russia and Austria were out of the war, The UK began to grow progressively more isolated, and agreed to the Treaty of Amiens, which would put Europe at peace for about 14 months. -
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War of the Third Coalition
Both the French and British had been violating the previously made treaty, and for that reason they went to war. The British, however had a bunch of money that they were willing to give to anybody who joined them in the war. This would lead Austria, Russia, Naples, and Sweden all to join the coalition. -
Louisiana Purchase
Napoleon sells the USA an enormous portion of land in the Americas for a very low price (like $18 per square mile). It is debatable that he wanted the money to fund an invasion of the British Isles. Still, by this point in the wars, France's treasury had been drained so there is a good chance he just needed the money in general and didn't want to take care of large colonial holdings anymore. -
Napoleon declared himself emperor.
In 1804, Napoleon declared himself emperor, and his wife Josephine was empress. He declared this on May 18 but had the ceremony on December 2. This showed that Napoleon had gained complete control over his people and country, but also the pope, and that papal power in France had become insignificant (for context, the pope usually was the one to crown people). -
Russia and Austria During the War of the Third Coalition
During the war of the third coalition, Russia had planned to meet up with the Austrians, and take on French armies together. Napoleon then knew he would need to stop this from happening, by taking out the awaiting and stationary Austrian army. Napoleon then marched with 200,000 men, in secret, and circled around the Austrian general Mack, and captured 50,000 Austrians in the swift battle of Ulm. Napoleon then pursued the fleeing Russian army and deceivingly defeated them at Austerlitz. -
Battle of Trafalgar
Napoleon got word that Admiral Nelson (British) had engaged his and his allied Spanish fleet in combat at Trafalgar. Despite the death of Nelson, the British victory had secured naval superiority on behalf of the UK. The British also used new naval tactics in this battle. The result of this battle is a now bitter Spain who will later cause many problems, and contribute to the downfall of Napoleonic France. -
Battle of Austerlitz
Napoleon defeated the Austrians and Russians in the battle of Austerlitz in 1805. This was done by retreating from the high ground, and creating a very weak-looking right flank. This way, when the Russian army chased after the flank, Napoleon's powerful central force emerged from the fog and launched a big central attack on the hill, crushing the allies, leading to a glorious victory for France. -
Conquest of Naples/ End of the War of the Third Coalition
In a quick invasion of Naples, the war of the third coalition was over. -
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War of the Fourth Coalition
The war of the fourth coalition was started when the Prussian king declared war on France -
Battle of Jena-Auerstedt
When the Prussians decided to join the war, their armies were quite outdated, and so when they fought at the twin battle of Jena-Auerstedt, the French had, within a month taken Berlin, and decimated the Prussian forces. This resulted in the remaining Prussian forces moving to the east. -
Treaties of Tilsit
Napoleon and Tsar Alexander (Russia) met on a raft to make peace between the two nations, and they got along surprisingly well. The treaties made it so that Russia would invade Sweden, and join the war against the UK. -
Battle of Eylau
In blizzard conditions, the French and Russian armies fought as Russian artillery tore apart the French army, and Napoleon was in danger of being captured. The French army was then saved by a heroic cavalry charge. The armies then agreed to stop fighting until after winter. As soon as winter was over, the Russians were pushed back, and ultimately defeated. -
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The Peninsular War
This was a long war in the Iberian Peninsula that was started by Spanish rebels after Napoleon had replaced the king of Spain with Joseph Bonaparte (his brother) after inviting Ferdinand VII and his father into France. The UK, and Portuguese would end up supporting the Spanish under an English general, in order to secure a victory. -
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War of the Fifth Coalition (April to October)
With Napoleon being occupied in Spain trying to put down a rebelling force, the UK decided to give Austria loads of money in order to go against Napoleon again. Napoleon was able to defeat the Austrians in just four months, however it wasn't very easy as the Austrians had been watching Napoleon fight, and learning more about how to fight. Once defeated, the Austrians lost a bunch more land due to the previous treaty. -
Napoleon Begins his Invasion of Russia
On June 14 of 1812, Napoleon took with him the "Grande Armée," which included what was estimated to be 650,000 men. They crossed the Neman River, to invade Russia. Despite having one of the largest armies Europe has ever seen, Napoleon would find out eventually that this was a mistake, and would only return with around 90,000 men, which would devastate his ability to fight the next coalition. -
Russian Invasion Beginnings
The Russians knew by this point that Napoleon had lived off of the land whilst invading different places. Because of this, the Russians moved East while burning the land as the went. This would allow them to avoid combat with Napoleon's massive army, and cause many members of Napoleon's army to die whilst trying to catch the retreating Russian forces. Napoleon's army was also losing many due to exhaustion, disease, and lack of resources. -
Battle of Borodino
After the Russians were nearing Moscow, they turned around to fight the French at Borodino. The battle of Borodino was one of the bloodiest battles in the Napoleonic wars, and came out to be a French victory. After the battle was over, Napoleon was able to enter Moscow with about 100,000 men. -
Napoleon arrives to Moscow
Upon Napoleon's arrival in Moscow, the Russian began burning the city. Napoleon believed he had won against the Russians after taking their most beloved city, so he sent Tsar Alexander a message. Tsar Alexander, however did not respond, in order to keep Napoleon waiting until winter. -
Napoleon's retreat from Russia
After about a month, the first winter snow came along. This is when Napoleon realized he had to retreat. Now as they were retreating, the Russians sent guerilla troops to pick off the French army as they were already freezing, starving, and dying from disease. Napoleon was even almost captured at a river, but he tricked the opposing forces to think he was going south, the he went north and crossed the river over quickly built pontoon bridges. Unfortunately, many drowned or were captured. -
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War of the Sixth Coalition
After the UK, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia declared war on France, the war of the sixth coalition had began, but now Napoleon had a very weak army after his Russian invasion. Austria would also later join the coalition. -
Battle of Leipzig (October 16-19)
A battle that was fought by France against the Austrians, Prussians Swedes, and Russians that went on for four days. While retreating though the only bridge in town, the bridge was blown up early, killing about 30 thousand men. -
Napoleon's exile to Elba
Napoleon was exiled to Elba, where the allies expected him to stay for life. This is when Napoleon hopped on a boat, and went back to France. The new king of France (Louis XVIII, who was put in place in the Bourbon Restoration) ordered men to go and capture Napoleon, however they didn't. When the army saw Napoleon they actually embraced his return, forcing Louis XVIII to flee, and Napoleon reclaimed his throne. -
Congress of Vienna
Overseen by Clemens von Metternich of Austria, dictated 99 years of peace until WWI. IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THIS IGNORED NATIONALISM. Instead, it enforced ideas of conservativism and "legitimacy". -
The battle of Waterloo
After defeating an army of Prussians, Napoleon moved on to fight the British. However, after the British held for some time against the French forces, the Prussians began arriving. The French feared that they would be surrounded and fled. This left the allied British and Prussian army with a very important victory. -
Napoleon's exile to Saint Helena
This is where Napoleon would write stories, and spend the rest of his life until he died on May 5, 1821.