Napoleon
Indiana World History Standards
WH.6.4 Compare and contrast the causes and events of the American and French
Revolutions of the late eighteenth century and explain their consequences for the
growth of liberty, equality and democracy
WH.9.1 Identify patterns of historical change and duration and construct a representation
that illustrates continuity and change.
Today’s Objectives
- To understand how Napoleon rose to power during the French Revolution
- To understand how Napoleon built an empire and how this empire fell due to his mistakes
-To understand how and why the Congress of Vienna reshaped Europe
4
• Rise to Power & Reforming France
→ Rises due to his military brilliance & success during the FR
→ Uses his popularity, chaos of the FR and military support to
stage a coup of the government
→ Napoleonic Code
… Led sweeping reforms of France to stabilize the nation
…reflected the ideas of the Enlightenment
-Equality of all citizens
-Religious tolerance
-Ended the Old Regime
• Building an Empire (1804-1812)
→ Creates “Grand Empire” that includes most of Europe using
force and diplomacy
…spread the Enlightenment throughout Europe
…crowned himself emperor in front of the Pope
→ Fails in attempted invasion and blockade of Britain with
the Continental System
…He was attempting to destroy the economy of Britain
…and to incite revolution
Continental System
• Fall of Napoleon (1812-1815)
video: Empires: Napoleon “Battle of Waterloo & Exile”
→ Failed invasion of Russia
…Russians use scorched-earth policy to trap Napoleon
…Grand Army is defeated and empire begins to fall apart
→ Abdicated and exiled to Elba (island in the Mediterranean)
…returns and seizes control of military & government
→ Defeated at the Battle of Waterloo by England & Prussia
…forced into permanent exile on St. Helena (South Atlantic)
• Congress of Vienna (1815)
→ Conservatives from all European nations meet to
…restore stability
…protect hereditary monarchies
→ Created the Concert of Europe
…reestablish the balance of power in Europe
…support the Old Order by legitimacy
…redrew the map in Europe to contain French ambitions
by encircling France with strong nations
Congress of Vienna
Essential Question
What was the purpose and outcome of the Congress of
Vienna?
Target Questions
• What ideas were reflected in the Napoleonic Code?
• What was the Continental System?
• What were Napoleon’s two fatal mistakes?
• What did the Concert of Europe accomplish?
Required Reading Question(s)
1) What reforms did Napoleon introduce during his rise to
power? (3)