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Napoleon's Early Military Success
Napoleon was a prestigious military leader that gained many early successes such as forcing British troops out of the port of Toulon in 1793 and fighting a mob of royalists in 1795, trying to regain power in Paris. -
Commander in Chief
Napoleon is hailed as a hero for defending the directory and is appointed commander in chief of the French army. He achieves key victories in Italy against the Austrians and Italians, keeping France’s borders secure and even winning more territory. -
Coup d'etat
Napoleon engineers the overthrow of the directory in a coup d’etat of 18 Brumaire. From here, he creates a new government named the Consulate. -
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Consulate
The Consulate is finally established and Napoleon is the First Consul. Taking advantage of this new France, he attempts to reestablish order with new policies of reconciliation. Incentives such as Amnesties are granted which helped many exiled aristocrats return to France. -
First Consul
Napoleon Bonaparte becomes First Consul for life. -
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Slave Trade, Louisiana Territory
Napoleon passes a law that reintroduces the slave trade in French colonies. This is for an ultimate vision of a French empire in the Americas. Because of insufficient funds, Napoleon ditches his vision for an empire in America and ends up selling the Louisiana territory to the U.S: doubling its size. -
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Emperor of France
The French Consulate is turned into the Empire and Napoleon Bonaparte is declared as the Emperor of France. The Imperial Household is established. -
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Napoleonic Wars
Napoleon is crowned the King of Italy, which influences Russia, Austria, and Britain to join an ‘anti-french’ alliance. Napoleon then makes plans to invade and conquer England. This sparks Napoleonic Wars with battles that go on for more than a decade which include: Battle of Trafalgar, Battle of Austerlitz, Invasion of Russia, Borodino (bloodiest battle), Battle of Leipzig, Battle of Waterloo (Napoleon’s army is finally defeated here). -
Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon’s devastating defeat forces him to abdicate the throne 2 times, and the first time, he is banished to the Mediterranean Islands of Elba. After a final push at the Battle of Waterloo, Napoleon’s army is ultimately defeated and he abdicates for the 2nd time. -
Saint Helena
Napoleon embarks on his exile on Saint Helena, a volcanic island in the South Atlantic. Two British Navy frigates patrol the island 24/7. During the majority of Bonaporte’s exile, at least 125 men guard his house during the day and around 75 during the night. -
Death
In Saint Helena, Napoleon died due to natural causes at age 51, most likely due to stomach cancer.
