Rise and Fall of Napoleon

Rise and Fall of Napoleon

Early Years – 1769-1784)

Napoleon Bonaparte, who is also known as the "little Corsican," was born on August 15,1769 in Ajaccio, Corsica. Napoleon was known as the little Corsican because of his height of 5 feet 2 inches. He had 7 brothers and sisters. His original name was Napoleone Buonaparte in Corsican but it became Napoleon Bonaparte in French.

Napoleon was the fourth child and second son of Carlo (Charles) Buonaparte (1746-1785) and Letizia Ramolino Buonaparte (1750-1836).

When Napoleon was nine, his father sent him to a French military academy at Brienne-le-Chateau, near Troyes. Then in 1784, Napoleon was selected for the elite École Militaire in Paris. While there, he was constantly teased by the French students. At the age of 16, he joined the French army.

The Little Corporal 1785-1799

In 1789, the French revolution swept the country. In 1792, France went to war with Austria.

Robespierre and other Jacobins took over the government in June 1793 and began the Reign of Terror. French cities revolted against his government. Napoleon was put in charge of the artillery at the Siege of Toulon, where his achievements earned him a favorable report to the Convention at Paris.

Robespierre was executed on July of 1794 during the Thermidorian Reaction. In 1796, Napoleon saved the government from a revolt. A new government called the Directory was formed.

Under the new government, Napoleon was made commander of the French army in Italy. Before leaving for the Italian Campaign, he married Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796.

Napoleon won many victories in Italy. By 1796, Austria had become France’s chief enemy. Napoleon started his attack on Austria, his first big campaign. Napoleon defeated four armies larger than his own. After that, his troops gave him the name "Petit Caporal" or "Little Corporal."

Napoleon knew he needed more influence to gain control. Concentrating on improving his military reputation, Napoleon sailed off for Africa with 38,000 men in May 1798.

Napoleon won on land, but lost his fleet to Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of the Nile in Abu QirBay. Napoleon’s army was now stranded in Egypt. Napoleon left his troops in Egypt and went back to France. Napoleon had returned before news of his fiasco in Egypt was known. It appeared that Napoleon’s reputation was saved. Once back in France, he joined the plot to topple the Directory.

First Consul of France 1799-1802

During the time that Napoleon took over, France was in turmoil. Poverty and corruption were widespread.

Napoleon worked with Emmanuel Sieyes to overthrow the Directory. Napoleon successfully took over in a coup d'État on 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799).

The Directory was replaced by a three-member Consulate, and Napoleon became First Consul.

Napoleon reorganized his armies and restructured his defense.

In May 1800, Napoleon led his famous march across the Alps.

After bitter battles, Russia dropped out of the Second Coalition in 1799, and Austria surrendered. Great Britain was left alone and was weary of war. The Treaty of Amiens was signed between the British and French in 1802. The Second Coalition was destroyed. For the first and only time in Napoleon’s reign, France was at peace with the world.

The Fragile Empire 1802-1810

Soon, the fragile peace between France and her neighbors crumbled.

The Napoleonic Code or Civil Code was formed in 1804. It secured the gains of the peasants and middle class during the French Revolution. The Code, however, took away all the gains made by the women during the Revolution. Freedom of speech and press was cut down and a secret police was formed.

Napoleon was voted as emperor by the Senate and the people in May 1804.

On December 2, 1804, the coronation took place at the Cathedral Notre Dame in Paris.

Napoleon’s invasion fleet was destroyed at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, protecting Great Britain from anymore attacks. In 1805, however, Britain managed to organize a coalition of Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Naples, the Third Coalition, against France. After several defeats, Russia pulled back down and Austria surrendered, causing the Third Coalitionto collapse.

Napoleon placed his family and relatives on the thrones of Europe. Now that the Coalition was gone, Napoleon turned his attention back to Britain. Instead of taking Britain directly, Napoleon decided to starve it out. In 1807, Napoleon issued the Continental System, ordering French ships to attack any British vessel in sight.

The reshaping of Europe by Napoleon alarmed the Prussians. When Prussia joined Russia in mounting a new offensive, Napoleon defeated the Russians and Prussians in several battles. In treaties of Tilsit, Prussia lost half its land and Russia had to enforce the Continental System.

Portugal and Spain revolted against France. Despite huge loses, the rebels didn't give up. So, the peninsula became the "ulcer of the French Empire."

By 1809, Napoleon was concerned about Josephine’s inability to produce a child. After an attempt on his life, Napoleon felt that he needed someone to take his place when he’s gone. In December of 1809, Napoleon divorced Josephine, and he later married Marie Louise. Later, the couple had a son and named him Napoleon.

In 1810, Napoleon’s empire reached its height. Then in late 1810, disaster struck.

The Downfall of Napoleon’s Empire 1810-1814

The Continental System backfired. Great Britain was able to produce goods cheaper and better than any country. The ban on British goods only resulted in economic instability in Europe.

Napoleon blamed Russia and raised an army of 600,000 men to attack.

Napoleon marched into Moscow and watched it burn. After awhile, Napoleon decided to retreat from Russia.

The retreat was devastating. The bitter winter and Cossacks reduced Napoleon's army of 600,000 men to only 30,000. Napoleon deserted his army to come back and raise another one. Seeing their opportunity, Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Sweden formed an alliance against France.

After the Allies took Paris, Napoleon abdicated at Fontainebleau on April 11, 1814.

The allies restored the Bourbon dynasty to the French throne. They gave Napoleon the island of Elba to rule. He was even allowed to keep his imperial title and was given a yearly income of 2 million francs.

Napoleon never saw his son or wife again. However, once on Elba, Napoleon planned his return to France.

A Second Attempt at the Throne 1814-1821

During Napoleon’s stayed on Elba in 1814, he was not content. His thoughts kept wandering back to his ambitions of a grand empire.

In February 1815, Napoleon escaped from the island with 1,000 or so followers. He landed on March 1 and marched toward Paris, gathering supporters along the way. The French army sent to stop him, joined him instead. The Bourbons fled as Napoleon entered Paris on March 20, beginning the Hundred Days. The people welcomed back their hero, but not his dictatorship. Napoleon proclaimed a new constitution that limited his power. Napoleon was determined to change that constitution later as he prepared to engage the allies.

.After a few victories, Napoleon lost at the Battle of Waterloo. Napoleon fled to Paris and abdicated again on June 22, ending the Hundred Days.

This time, the allies weren’t so generous toward him. In August, they imprisoned Napoleon on the island of St. Helena, off the southern coast of Africa. On the island, there was nothing for Napoleon to do but write his memoirs.

Napoleon died on May 5, 1821.

French Monarchy- Bonaparte Dynasty