Discovery Worksheet: Napoleon
Side A
Slide #3 The French Empire Map:
• Why was Napoleon considered such a successful military leader?
• How far does Napoleon’s influence reach?
• Who might he be interested in conquering next?
Slide #4 Decision Making Quote Analysis:
• “Great ambition is the passion of great character. He who is endowed with it, may
perform either very great actions, or very bad ones; all depends upon the principles
which direct him.”
 Analyze this quote in the context of his reasoning and his decision to invade Russiadid he make the right choice?
Slides #5-10 Napoleon’s Army Retreats Map, Podcast audio clips, United Streaming video, websites:
-What route do you think Napoleon’s army took to retreat from Russia back to France?______________
____________________________________________________________________________________
-Why did they choose to retreat?_________________________________________________________
-Approximately how many miles do you estimate they traveled by foot during the retreat?____________
-What were some survival techniques of the troops?__________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
-Describe the types of loss that Napoleon faced:
Slide #11 Reflection on Friendship Quote Analysis:
• “If I had not been born Napoleon, I would have liked to have been born Alexander.”
 Do you think he said this before or after invading Russia? Why?
Discovery Worksheet: Napoleon
Side B
Slide #13 Napoleon in Exile:
*Where in the world is Elba Island?__________________________________
*Where in the world is St. Helena?___________________________________
Slide #14 Napoleon in Death:
• What did Napoleon die from?________________________________________________
• What were the most important contents of his will?_______________________________
Slide #15 Napoleon’s Legacy:
• “Even when I am gone, I shall remain in people’s minds the star of their rights, my name
will be the war cry of their efforts, the motto of their hopes.”
 Is Napoleon right about how people remember him today? When people hear his
name, what do you think they remember?
Culminating Assignment:
CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES
Option #1: Rewriting History
Confer with a partner and consider how history could have been different if Napoleon changed
one element of the events that led to his downfall. What decision would you change and how
would this change have played out for Napoleon in his life, in your best estimation? Write a
minimum of one typed full page explaining how you would rewrite history if you could.
Option #2: Visual Metaphor Poster
Create an illustrated analogy where Napoleon’s defeat and downfall is compared to another
unrelated event (i.e. Napoleon’s defeat and downfall is like a glass of spilled milk…). Identify
specific components in both that are similar to each other with an explanation of why. In
addition provide ways in which the events differ as well. Provide both the poster illustrating
specific parts that are similar or different in addition to a written synopsis of the comparison.