Napoleon Bonaparte: Rise and Fall

Study Notes

Napoleon started as a Corsican outsider.
He began his military career as a talented officer.
Napoleon was rapidly promoted to senior rank.
He went into political power as a consul.
Napoleon became a de facto dictator as First Consul.
He eventually became Emperor of France.
Napoleon died in 1821 as the exiled former Emperor of France, having lost all his power.
His ambition to conquer and rule Europe caused 3,500,000 to 6,500,000 deaths.
Civilian deaths from the Napoleonic wars cannot be accurately estimated.
Napoleon's wars severely impacted European countries' industrial advances and political stability.
In 1812, Napoleon controlled, fought in, or threatened almost all of continental Europe.
He occupied and ruled over some countries like Spain, facing constant resistance.
After his disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812, Napoleon lost territory and power.
He was deposed in April 1814 and exiled to the Island of Elba.

Enacted in 1804, the Napoleonic Code remains the basis of French law, with revisions.
The Code was based on the idea of a purely rational law, free from past prejudices.
It derived its content from "sublimated common sense".
Its moral justification was based on its conformity to reason, not ancient custom or monarchical paternalism.
Envisioned early in the French Revolution, it was completed during Napoleon’s rule.
It was originally called the Civil Code of France.
The name was changed to honor Napoleon, who, as First Consul, brought the legislation into effect.