Napoleon Timeline

Italian Campaign (green)

Apr 26, 1796

Napoleon lead 38,000 French soldiers to fight 38,000 Austrian and 25,000 Piedmontese. He defeated the Piedmontese with ease and the Austrian retreated. He was only 26 years old during this campaign and had brilliant strategy to defeat the larger armies.

Egyptian Campaign (red)

Jul 1, 1798

A campaign for France lead by Napoleon to restore trade routes. It ended in defeat for France and the withdrawal of all French troops from that area.

Consulate (green)

Nov 9, 1799

The Consulate was the top-level Government of France from the fall of the Directory. It also refers to this period of French history. Napoleon, as First Consul established himself as the head of a more authoritarian, autocratic, and centralized republican government in France while not declaring himself sole ruler. He basically became the top power in France without ever saying it. This developed Napoleon into the powerful leader he was.

Banque de France (green)

Jan 18, 1800

Napoleon created the Banque de France to foster eco­nomic recovery after the strong recession of the revolu­tionary period. This new insti­tution was charged with issuing notes payable to bearer on sight, in return for dis­counting of trade bills. This helped France get a stable bank they ever so needed.

Concordat of 1801 (green)

Jul 15, 1801

An agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. The Concordat restored much power to the papacy, the balance of church-state relations tilted firmly in Napoleon's favour. He selected the bishops and supervised church finances. This helps France by becoming aligned with the church again.

Consul for Life (green)

Aug 1, 1802

Napoleon proclaimed himself First Consul for Life. A new constitution of his own devising legislature and he had taken the major steps in creating a new regime in his own image. This helped Napoleon rise to power.

Napoleonic code (yellow)

Mar 21, 1804

The Napoleonic code established equality before law, abolished all privileges based on birth, simplified administrative divisions. However, it also undid reforms tha revolution put in place.

Napoleon’s self declaration of emperor (Green)

Dec 2, 1804

By crowning himself Emperor of France, Napoleon established the legitimacy of his position. He secured the trust of France.

Battle of Trafalgar (Red)

Oct 21, 1805

Battle between the British Navy and a combined French and Spanish navy. It was one of the most decisive naval battles in history, the British fleet destroyed 19 enemy ships. This is a huge loss for Napoleon and the French.

Abolished the Holy Roman Empire (green)

Aug 6, 1806

Napoleon abolished the Holy Roman Empire to create the Confederation of the Rhine. The confederation of the Rhine would be under Napoleons control and gave Napoleon land between Austria, Prussia and Russia, in case of any future aggression.

Continental System (green)

Nov 21, 1806

This was the foreign policy of Napoleon against the United Kingdom during the Napoleonic Wars. It was enforced by Napoleon to keep Britain out of Europe. This was enforced on November 21, 1806 at the Berlin decree and December 17, 1807 at the Milan decree. This helped France to conquer most of Europe and avoid most interaction with their British rivals.

Resistance in Spain (yellow)

Feb 16, 1808

Napoleon faced challenges in Spain due to the fact that Spain did not want to be ruled by France and fought back. They were unhappy with the fact that Napoleon had put his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain. Overall Napoleon was able to conquer Spain but it proved more work to keep it under control than he wanted.

Invasion of Russia (red)

Jun 24, 1812

Napoleon lead 500,000 men to the capital city of Russia, Moscow, to complete an alliance. Russia ended up betraying Napoleon and a battle ensued. France attempted to retreat but they were deep in Russian territory. 10,000 of the 500,000 men returned to France.

Battle of Nations at Leipzig (red)

Oct 16, 1813

This battle was a decisive defeat for Napoleon, resulting in the destruction of what was left of French power in Germany and Poland. The battle was fought by approximately 185,000 French and other troops under Napoleon, and approximately 320,000 allied troops, including Austrian, Prussian, Russian, and Swedish forces. This defeat leads to the abdication of Napoleon.

Abdication of Napoleon (red)

Apr 11, 1814

Napoleon abdicates the throne, and in the Treaty of Fontainebleau is banished to the Mediterranean island of Elba. This resulted in the brother of King Louis XVI, Louis XVIII to become king of France.

Hundred Days (yellow)

Mar 20, 1815

Napoleon was abdicated and exiled on the island Elba. These are the days from when he left France and returned to Paris. This is Good for France to have its powerful emperor back, but Napoleon is returning right after France has restored its King, King Louis XVIII.

Battle of Waterloo (red)

Jun 18, 1815

Napoleon's forces were defeated by the British and Prussians, and marked the end of his reign and of France's domination in Europe. This also marked the end of one of France’s greatest time in power.