3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire Key Idea

3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire Key Idea A brilliant general, Napoleon Bonaparte, becomes emperor of France and assumes broad powers. Through military victories, he establishes mastery over most of Europe. Overview Assessment

3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire TERMS & NAMES Overview • Napoleon Bonaparte • coup d'état MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW • plebiscite A military genius, Napoleon Bonaparte, seized power in France and made himself emperor. In times of political turmoil, military dictators often seize control of nations, as in Haiti in 1991. • lycée • concordat • Napoleonic Code • Battle of Trafalgar Assessment

3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire Section 3 Assessment 1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Describe the events leading to the crowning of Napoleon as emperor of France. 1789 French Revolution breaks out. 1796– 1799 Napoleon wins many victories. 1795 Napoleon defeats royalist rebels. 1800 New constitution gives Napoleon all real power. 1799 Napoleon seizes power from the Directory. 1804 Napoleon crowned emperor. continued. . .

3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire Section 3 Assessment 2. There is an old question: “Do the times make the man, or does the man make the times? ” In your opinion, was Napoleon the creator of or the creation of his times? • ABOUT the government after the Terror THINK • Napoleon’s defense of France • Napoleon’s popularity ANSWER Possible Responses: • Napoleon became powerful because of his military responsibilities and the political chaos after the Terror. • Napoleon’s strong personality would have dominated no matter the circumstances. continued. . .

3 HOME Napoleon Forges an Empire Section 3 Assessment 3. To keep his empire together, Napoleon had to deal with forces both inside and outside the French Empire. In your judgment, which area was more crucial to control? THINK ABOUT • the length of the period of civil unrest in France • the power and activities of the other European nations ANSWER Possible Responses: • Internal unrest was most important, because division and chaos at home would have made military success impossible. • Victory against external enemies would have led to union within France. End of Section 3