The Napoleonic Era 1799 1815 Napoleons Rule of

The Napoleonic Era, 1799 1815

Napoleon’s Rule of France • Napoleon confirmed the gains of the peasantry and reassured the middle class by defending property • He strengthened the central bureaucracy of France. • By the Concordat of 1801 he simultaneously reinstated freedom of worship for Catholics and maintained tight control of the Church. • Napoleon’s new law code reduced women’s legal and property rights. • Napoleon established a police state and strict censorship to silence political dissent.

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • In the Treaty of Luneville, Austria accepted the loss of almost all its Italian lands and German territory on the west bank of the Rhine to France • The Treaty of Amiens with Great Britain (1802) gave France Holland, the Austrian Netherlands, Napoleon was able to reshape Germany how he wanted.

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • In May 1803 Napoleon renewed war with Britain, but his plans to invade the island were shattered by the naval battle of Trafalgar (1805).

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • In 1804 Napoleon was named first consul and crowned himself emperor of France

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • Austria, Russia, and Sweden joined Britain in the Third Coalition against Napoleon (1805). Napoleon defeated the Coalition’s continental partners

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • In 1806 Napoleon crushed Prussia and the Treatise of Tilsit Prussia lost half its population and Russia promised to help France with its continental system. • French occupation of much of Europe eventually produced nationalist reactions, as the conquered areas attempted to throw off French rule (Spain)

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • June 1812 Napoleon invaded Russia with 600, 000 men, however only 1/3 were French • As Russian forces flee back to Moscow they practice the “Scorched Earth Policy”

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • Napoleon entered Moscow in Sept. 1812 only to find it had been burnt to the ground • Waiting for Tsar Alexander to surrender Napoleon finally left for home in Oct. too late to enter Russia further and now too late to retreat

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • As the snow began to fall starving men died and later most froze to death. • Russian forces attacked as well • Napoleon returned home with a mere 10, 000 troops

Napoleon’s Wars and Foreign Policy • Fourth coalition- G. B. , Austria, Prussia, Russia “War of Liberation” • Napoleon Abdicates his throne and is exiled to Elba, Louis. XVIII takes over • Napoleon Returns (100 Days) Loses Battle of Waterloo • Napoleon exiled to St. Helena