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The Uprising of Napoleon
In 1793 he forced British troops out of the port of Toulon. In 1794, he won a dazzling victory over Austrian troops in Italy. Finally, in 1795, he faced off against a mob of royalists trying to regain power in Paris. Using artillery, Napoleon forced the royalists to flee. Thus leading to him being put in charge of defending the French interior. -
Battle of the Nile
In the long battle, the British defeated most of the French fleet. Napoleon wanted to cover up his defeat so he left his army in Egypt under another officer and sailed back to France. He kept his defeat out of the press and exaggerated the success of the French army. He then became a national hero. -
Coup d'état
The forceful transfer of power where Napoleon supporters surrounded the Directory legislature and forced members to turn the government over to Napoleon. A group of three consuls, called the Consulate would become the new form of government in France. Napoleon was in charge as he was first consul, essentially allowing him to become a dictator. -
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The Napoleonic Wars
In search of conquest in Europe, Napoleon began a series of wars leading to France to become the dominant power of Europe. However, as the years past the French empire would fall quickly as the state has been in continuous warfare for more than a decade. -
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The Peninsular War
Napoleon sent French troops into Portugal to take control and drive out their King. He then quickly conquered Spain but the Spanish would revolt in 1808. Great Britain sent military support to Spain. Napoleon called in many troops, however, guerrilla warfare broke out among the Spanish people and the French troops were pinned down, forcing Napoleon to pull his troops from Spain. -
The Russian Campaign
In June, Napoleon marched across the Russian border. They were doomed from the beginning. Most soldiers felt no loyalty, they lost most of their supplies, and the heat was unbearable. Many men died of disease, desertion, and hunger. In August they finally clashed with the Russians, winning the battle, but with a high number of casualties. The remaining army pushed to Moscow in September. They did not find the Russians and in October they left Moscow. On the way back, Russian peasants attacked. -
Napoleon is Exiled to Elba
As Napoleon surrenders, he is forced to give up his throne. The victors, Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Great Britain, give him a small empire named Elba, a small Mediterranean island, off the coast of Italy. He was exiled to there with a small pension and 400 guards. -
Napoleon's Return from Elba
After a year in exile, Napoleon hired a ship that would take him and many supporters back to France. Citizens were excited to hear that he was back as troops that were sent to arrest him pledged their loyalty to him instead. This was the beginning of the Hundred Days, a brief period of renewed glory for Napoleon and the problems for his enemies. -
The Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon's army faced off against the British and Prussia. This battle in Belgian village would be delayed as heavy rain fell until late morning. As Prussian troops arrived to help the British, Napoleon and his army were no match for the strength of the two enemies. They would drive the French army off the field by the end of the day. This crushing defeat would be the end of Napoleon's military career and the end of the Napoleonic Wars. -
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Napoleon's Final Years
After the end of his military career, he fled to a port trying to flee to America. He was then captured, where he would be exiled to Saint Helena, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Napoleon would die six years later at the age of 51. The cause of death has never been determined definitely.
