Napoleon's Rise to Power PDF

HISTORY NAPOLEON 3.5 NAPOLEON’S RISE TO POWER (-1804) NAPOLEON CROSSING THE ALPS, DAVID (1800) France’s internal problems and its ongoing war against foreign powers makes the new government rely on the army for support and protection. This means...

HISTORY NAPOLEON 3.5 NAPOLEON’S RISE TO POWER (-1804) NAPOLEON CROSSING THE ALPS, DAVID (1800) France’s internal problems and its ongoing war against foreign powers makes the new government rely on the army for support and protection. This means that individual generals can become very powerful. Among them is Napoleon Bonaparte, a young Corsican, who turns his victories on the battlefield into power on the political playing field. In 1799 Bonaparte joins a coup against the government and manages to become the country’s most powerful man.  HISTORY Page 81 NAPOLEON The Directory the king – but they wanted to end Why did the army support the new the terror and the anarchy. regime? The New Regime The economic situation was The Directory The Reign of Terror had extremely difficult, hunger and a discredited the revolutionary The new regime planned a new bitter winter had made people government in the eyes of most constitution. They wanted to desperate. There were several people. People had been hugging prevent a dictatorship like that of riots in demand for bread. The each other in the streets when the CPS, so they included the most serious of these uprisings they heard that Robespierre had separation of powers in their happened in May (Prairial) 1795 died. Now the Committee of constitution. The Directory formed when the Sans-culottes Public Safety lost its power, the the executive, consisting of five demonstrated in Paris. It was put Jacobins lost their influence in the members, one of whom – chosen down by the regular army, Convention. The more by lot – had to retire each year. At however. Prairial was significant conservative politicians were able the same time they wanted to because it meant the end of the to gain more influence instead. prevent the poor people such as Sans-culottes as a political force. It The Convention was soon the Sans-culottes from ever also showed that the new regime controlled by wealthy members of gaining too much power and depended on the army, without the bourgeoisie. These men did influence again. So they re- whose support it could not not want a return of the monarchy introduced the election system in survive. – after all they had helped to kill which only males who paid taxes were allowed to vote. HISTORY Page 82 NAPOLEON Bonaparte’s Political Visions The nation needs a leader. They don’t need any theories about governments, Confidential statements to a French no great words, no ideological envoy in Italy (July 1797): speeches which the French don’t understand. […] ‘Do you believe that I achieve victories here in Italy to increase the I’m not interested in peace. If I should reputation of the Directory back in no longer be at the head of an army France?…Do you even believe that I that is devoted to me, I will lose all the want to found a republic? What a power I have won. thought!…The French are in love with the Republic but it is an illusion, and it I only want to leave Italy if I can play a will pass. What the French really need similar role in France as I can play it is glory and the satisfaction of their here. The time is not right, however. I vanity. They don’t really understand would like to weaken the Republicans freedom. […] but only if it is to my own advantage and not to anybody else’s. At this stage Look at the army instead! Our I must side with the Republicans.’ “NAPOLEON ON THE BRIDGE AT victories and triumphs have shown the ARCOLE” (GROS, 1797) true character of the French soldier: I am everything to him! If the Directory What is Napoleon’s attitude? What role decided to take away my army from does the army play for him? me, they would soon see who the true master is. […]  HISTORY Page 83 NAPOLEON Before the first elections could troops were in good shape while royalist rebellion in 1795, he was take place, the new regime was their enemies, the so-called promoted to General of Division, attacked by a massive royalist Coalition, did not work together one of the highest ranks in the uprising in October 1795. The well. The Directory decided to French army. protesters outnumbered the keep the war going and even go What qualities does an officer government troops but they on the offensive. Napoleon later need in a war? possessed no cannons. The army said that “…to exist [the Directory] crushed the rebellion by firing needed a state of war as other Italy and Egypt (1796-98) their cannons straight into the governments need a state of demonstrators. The army peace.” In 1796 the main French objective commander was a young general was to defeat Austria. Bonaparte Why did the Directory decide on a was given the army of Italy, which from Corsica, Napoleon strategy of military expansion? was to cross into northern Italy Bonaparte. and then turn northeast towards The dramatic situation in France as The Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte Vienna. Napoleon’s troops were well as the ongoing war offered unpaid and their discipline was France Goes to War talented young officers within the poor. Yet Napoleon seized his French army to rise quickly. The war against the foreign armies chance. He was able to win the Among them was Napoleon still continued. The situation had loyalty of his men through his Bonaparte. In 1793 he was improved from a French charisma and by promising them promoted to Brigadier General at perspective, though. The French vast wealth. Napoleon’s army the age of 24. After crushing the  HISTORY Page 84 NAPOLEON NAPOLEON IN EGYPT Louvre today were acquired at unable to occupy Egypt. that time. Napoleon’s self- Napoleon returned to France and confidence had grown left his troops in Egypt. considerably. He knew that the The Coup of Brumaire (1799) French government needed him and the army because the royalist The rule of the Directory movement had become more depended on the army to a large powerful again. extent. The government troops guaranteed internal security while France wanted to invade Great their wars and conquests abroad Britain but these plans were brought much needed cash and destroyed when the British fleet achieved a number of great treasures. Successful and won two victories in 1797. victories so that the Corsican charismatic generals such as Napoleon then decided to move general was able to force Austria Napoleon Bonaparte became an to Egypt because he wanted to to sign a peace treaty which was important factor. As long as the destroy the British presence in the highly favourable to France (1797). leaders of the army remained Mediterranean. Napoleon failed. Napoleon exploited the Italian loyal, the Directory was relatively The French fleet was almost population and had vast treasures safe. If not… completely destroyed by Admiral transported to France. A Nelson at Aboukir (1798). The Meanwhile the situation for the considerable part of the Italian French troops in Egypt were cut Directory had become worse works of art on display in the off from supply now and were again. Russia had joined the  HISTORY Page 85 NAPOLEON Coalition and the French troops people even though the Egyptian him a national hero. People also were pushed back again. campaign had been a failure. remembered that he had made Conscription was introduced Napoleon’s victories had made peace in 1797. again to increase the size of the EGYPTOLOGY Napoleon saw his chance and French army, which was very joined the conspirators. On 18 unpopular decision. Two Brumaire VIII (9 November 1799) members of the Directory now Bonaparte’s troops forced the decided to stage a coup against parliament to abolish the the government and take power Directory. Instead a provisional into their hands. They hoped that government consisting of three there would be little resistance members (so-called “consuls”) was from the political enemies or from formed. There was very little the people because the resistance against the coup. Paris government was widely THE STONE OF ROSETTA, BRITISH MUSEUM remained calm. Ten years after the unpopular. However, they felt that Napoleon’s campaign in Egypt led to great oath of the tennis court, ten years they needed a popular supporter interest in ancient Egyptian culture and after the declaration of the rights for the coup to be successful – history. Egyptology as a science had its of the citizen, eight years after the they chose Napoleon. Bonaparte beginning when a French officer found the separation of powers was had returned to France in October Stone of Rosetta in 1799, which allowed introduced, the rule of one man 1799 and had been received Jean-François Champollion to decipher the was on the horizon again. enthusiastically by the French hieroglyphs (1822).  HISTORY Page 86 NAPOLEON Why was Napoleon able to rise to who the other two Consuls should majority of the French population the top? Why was there little be. Naturally, Napoleon was to be voted yes in early 1800. resistance? First Consul. Napoleon’s two co- Bonaparte knew that he could not conspirators stood no chance Bonaparte’s Constitution (1799) sit back and relax but that he had against his domineering – Napoleon Becomes First to consolidate his power. Several personality. Napoleon said: Consul French military victories in 1800 ‘To make the Republic loved by its helped to increase the popularity The army was Napoleon’s power citizens, respected abroad and of the First Consul. In 1801 base. His victories had made him feared by its enemies – such are Bonaparte made peace with the extremely popular with the the duties why we have accepted Catholic Church. In a Concordat general public. Bonaparte now the First Consulship […] The new (treaty) with the pope, Napoleon formed a new constitution. He constitution is based upon the true accepted that Roman Catholic wanted to create a system which principles of representative faith was “the religion of the was democratic on the surface, government and on the sacred majority of the French”. However, but which at the same time rights of property, equality and it was not the official state religion. strengthened his position. Thus, liberty. The powers it sets up will Most importantly, Rome gave up the parliament still existed but it be strong and lasting.’ all its claims to Church property had little real power. Every which they had lost during the important decision was made by Revolution. the First Consul – the most The new constitution had to be powerful man in the executive. For accepted in a plebiscite. People Why was the Concordat important instance, he could even decide believed Napoleon – a vast for Napoleon?  HISTORY NAPOLEON 3.5 EMPEROR NAPOLEON (1804-1815) EMPEROR NAPOLEON ON HIS IMPERIAL THRONE (INGRES, 1806) Only twelve years after the monarchy was abolished, Napoleon Bonaparte crowns himself Emperor of France. The Revolution has definitely failed. Napoleon also attempts to expand his empire abroad and to rule over the entire European continent. After a failed attack on Moscow in 1812, Napoleon is decisively defeated at last in the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.  HISTORY Page 88 NAPOLEON From Consul to Emperor plebiscite was held, again the Why did he hold a spectacular people voted yes. (The coronation? Consolidating Power government did not actually poll What were possible threats to his Bonaparte’s rise to becoming the the soldiers but simply added half position? head of a constitutional monarchy a million ‘yes’ votes to the total.) could only have been stopped by Maintaining Power Napoleon held a spectacular disastrous defeats on the coronation at Notre Dame on 2 Bonaparte took certain measures battlefield, which failed to December 1804. In the presence to strengthen his situation. He happen. When Napoleon narrowly of the pope, Napoleon crowned centralised government further escaped assassination in 1802, the himself Emperor and then his wife and tried to stabilise the economy Senate offered him Consulship for Josephine as Empress. Eleven by introducing a new Franc. life, with the right to choose his years after King Louis XVI had Napoleon also tried to bind as own successor. A plebiscite again been executed, France was ruled many powerful people to his approved of the decision. In 1804 by a monarch again. Theoretically, regime by offering them gifts of Napoleon’s popularity had Bonaparte’s power was limited by money, land, titles or reached such great heights that a parliament and a constitution, government jobs. Bonaparte was able to take the but in reality he acted as an final step in his rise to power. He Bonaparte also restricted the absolute ruler. declared himself “Emperor of the freedom of thought, word or French”, a position which was Why did Napoleon establish a action of the French people. An hereditary in his family. Again a hereditary monarchy?  HISTORY Page 89 NAPOLEON extensive police force supervised particularly care about improving conscience or equality before the and controlled the population. education for ordinary people, let law – were maintained. At the alone girls. “Marriage is their same time other, less liberal Napoleon considered the free destiny,” he once said. Napoleon articles were introduced. The press a threat to his position. In instead created new schools on position of the father and 1800 he reduced the number of the secondary level called lycées. husband was strengthened. Parisian political journals from 73 The State offered more than 6,000 Slavery was introduced again in to nine, for example. In 1809 scholarships for these schools. the French colonies. censors were appointed to each The syllabus at the lycées was newspaper, who made sure that The Napoleonic Empire in identical throughout the entire no articles critical of Napoleon Europe country. would be printed. Napoleon also took an active France’s war against neighbouring Apart from censorship, countries had continued virtually interest in reforming the French Bonaparte also invested heavily in uninterrupted since 1792. legal system. A new Civil Code propaganda. Artists such as David Napoleon had no interest in (Code Napoléon) was issued in became State propagandists who 1804. In it individual rights and ending the conflict. The army was painted the emperor as a property rights were confirmed. his power base, which would be romantic hero-figure. Important gains of the Revolution much less influential in peace Bonaparte also reorganised – the abolition of the feudal times. Furthermore, military French education. He did not system, the freedom of victories would bring glory as well  HISTORY Page 90 NAPOLEON as booty. Napoleon’s wars in major enemies were Austria, Roman Empire in the following Europe were in fact popular in Prussia, Britain and Russia. year – a political institution which France because the idea of had lasted almost 1,000 years had 1 – Napoleon Abolishes the Holy come to an end. Francis II was spreading French power and Roman Empire and Defeats only King of Austria now. (revolutionary) ideals appealed to Prussia the self-confidence and the Napoleon fought another war national pride which the Already in 1802 Napoleon had against Prussia, marching into defeated a coalition of European Berlin in 1806. The following year Revolution had created. powers. He then reorganised Napoleon marched through Napoleon’s army was a product “Germany”, which consisted of Poland in order to attack Russia. of the Revolution. They were mass countless territories of different The campaign ended with a armies which had been formed to sizes and importance. Prussia, peace treaty between France and defend the motherland and to Russia and Austria formed another Russia in which Poland was coalition, which was soundly divided by the two great powers. spread the ideals of the defeated by Napoleon in the Revolution. With his popularity Battle of the Three Emperors at Between 1805-07 Napoleon had and charisma, Napoleon was able Austerlitz in 1805. It was arguably defeated three of his main to persuade his men to fight Napoleon’s greatest victory. The opponents – he was at the height outside France against countries French emperor then forced of his power. Only one enemy ruled by emperors. Napoleon’s Austria’s King Francis II to put remained: Britain. down the crown of the Holy HISTORY Page 91 NAPOLEON Trafalgar in south-western Spain. Will Do His Duty”. Nelson himself was Traditionally naval battles were fought mortally wounded by a French by the ships forming two parallel single sharpshooter. Nelson wanted to be lines and firing each other. Admiral buried in England so his body had to Nelson, who was on board the HMS be conserved for the journey back Victory, used a different tactics: His ships formed two columns with which he attacked the enemy line from a HORATIO NELSON (1758-1805) right angle. Nelson’s tactics worked perfectly: the British The Battle of Trafalgar – “England fleet sank one ship Expects that Every Man Will Do and captured 21 “THE BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR”, TURNER (1822) His Duty” ships, while not losing a single ship of their own. home. It was first placed in a cask of The Battle of Trafalgar was a sea battle brandy mixed with camphor and myrrh between the British Royal Navy and the Before the decisive attack, Nelson and later put into a lead-lined coffin combined fleets of the French and signalled a famous message to his filled with spirits of wine. Nelson Spanish navies. It took place off Cape men: “England Expects that Every Man received a state funeral in London.  HISTORY Page 92 NAPOLEON 2 – The Continental System: Napoleon knew that Britain What made it difficult to put up a Napoleon Tries to Defeat Britain would never make peace with blockade? France but would continue the In 1806 there was only one major 3 – France Fights in Spain and war against him. While France was enemy left Napoleon had not Portugal the dominant power on land, defeated: Britain. It was Britain was in clear control of the To strengthen the continental impossible for French troops to sea. Neither in itself was enough system, Napoleon was forced to launch a successful invasion of the for victory, though. Napoleon start a military campaign on the British Isles because the British therefore decided to start an Iberian peninsula. Portugal was fleet was far superior to the economic war against Britain – the one of Britain’s main trading French one. France had tried in so-called continental system. He partners, after all. The Spanish vain to destroy British sea power, tried to establish a continental population put up a lot of suffering a devastating defeat in blockade which was supposed to resistance, attacking the French the Battle of Trafalgar against hurt British trade by blocking troops whenever possible. In Admiral Nelson in 1805. Britain access to the European markets. brutal fighting the French army seized or sank 22 enemy ships, suffered a number of surprising while not losing a single ship of Why did Britain keep fighting defeats, which motivated their own. The victory at Trafalgar against France? Napoleon’s enemies to start guaranteed Britain’s superiority at What was the point of the fighting again because the French sea for the whole century. continental system? troops were obviously not  HISTORY Page 93 NAPOLEON “The Execution of the Defenders of Madrid, 4 – The Russian Napoleon’s Russian campaign 3 May 1808” (Goya, 1814) Campaign: became one of history’s greatest Napoleon Loses His military disasters - only about Great Army 25,000 men of the Grande Armée returned alive. Spanish resistance against the French What are the main problems for a army encouraged huge army invading a large Russia to break the foreign country? continental system. What strategy and tactics did the Napoleon was furious Russian generals use, knowing that invincible after all. The Spanish and decided to attack the enemy outnumbered them? attacked the French with small and occupy Russia. Napoleon’s units, rather than fighting in big most famous campaign began. Napoleon managed to win a few battles. There were no clear front minor battles but he was unable In June 1812 Napoleon invaded lines. to defeat the enemy decisively. In Russia with his greatest army ever early September the Great Army What Spanish word is used to – more than half a million troops reached Moscow, only to find that describe such a form of warfare? marched towards Moscow, more two thirds of its inhabitants had In what circumstances are such than half of whom came from left. Soon afterwards fires broke tactics useful? countries occupied by France. out – either lit by Russians  HISTORY Page 94 NAPOLEON themselves or through accident – Great Army THE RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN “1812” (PRIANISHNIKOV) which destroyed the city almost on the march. completely. As a consequence, In November Napoleon’s troops found neither winter set in, food nor shelter. Napoleon had which of counted on Tsar Alexander to course surrender once his capital had increased the been occupied. Alexander did not problems for do Napoleon the favour, though. the Great Army Sitting in the ruins of a massively. It cross the river. Eventually only destroyed city, exposed to Russian was badly equipped for cold about 25,000 soldiers reached counter-attacks, Napoleon weather, Napoleon’s war plan had Germany alive. decided to retreat at last. Because definitely been over-confident. the Russians protected the southern flank, the French army While the French were crossing 5 – The End: Napoleon Loses at was forced to march back through the river Berezina, a Russian Waterloo scorched earth country on the general dared to attack the French Encouraged by the Russian very route they had used to army frontally. The Russians killed disaster, Napoleon’s enemies took invade Russia. The Russians kept about forty thousand French up the fight again. For the first attacking the weaker parts of the troops who had been unable to  HISTORY Page 95 NAPOLEON time all Great Powers were at war forced to abdicate, given a General Blucher. In the Battle of with France at the same time. pension and sent into exile on the Waterloo – a village south of Outnumbered, Napoleon was island of Elba. The French royalists Brussels – Napoleon was definitely heavily defeated at the Battle of had the upper hand now and put defeated at last. Ever since, Nations near Leipzig in 1813. Louis XVIII – Louis XVI’s younger “Waterloo” has been synonymous Napoleon lost his influence in brother – on the throne. with a decisive defeat. Germany, it was the beginning of In 1815 Napoleon managed to What legendary pop band had the end of the French Empire in escape from Elba. Soldiers sent to their breakthrough with a song Europe. arrest the former emperor called “Waterloo”? Napoleon wanted to raise welcomed Napoleon instead. On another large army but the French his way to Paris 100,000 former Napoleon was banished once people were weary at last, there soldiers joined their general and again. He was sent to St Helena, a was no real enthusiasm for Napoleon seized power again. He small British island in the South continuing the struggle even was to keep it for another 100 Atlantic, one of the world’s most though foreign armies were days. remote places. Napoleon died in threatening to invade France. 1821, most likely of stomach Napoleon went on the offensive Napoleon was therefore unable to cancer. and attacked two allied armies prevent his enemies from located in Belgium under British occupying Paris in 1814. He was General Wellington and Prussian HISTORY Page 96 NAPOLEON Origins and Early Career elite Ecole Militaire and archduchess, thus marrying which were able to move became an artillery officer. into a royal family. She did quickly. He manoeuvred his Napoleon Bonaparte not join Napoleon in his troops on the battlefield (1769-1821) was born on Marriages and Children exile on Elba and never saw until the moment for a Corsica to minor nobles of In 1796 Napoleon married him again afterwards. They decisive attack was right. Italian descent. At the age of Joséphine de Beauharnais, a had one son, who died at Napoleon did not only want ten he joined a military 32-year-old widow whose the age of 21. to defeat an enemy, he tried academy in northern France, husband had been executed to destroy them. Bonaparte at 15 he was admitted to the Image during the Terror. Napoleon also used artillery effectively. had several mistresses, Napoleon has become a Following the motto “The officially acknowledging two cultural icon associated with war must feed the war”, illegitimate children. military brilliance and Napoleon’s armies fed upon Joséphine had secret lovers ambition. He is often shown the land they were marching too. While in Egypt, with one hand inside a through, paying for their Napoleon heard of his wife’s waistcoat based on the 1812 food in friendly countries, affair and discussed it in a painting by David. British otherwise looting the letter to his brother. The propaganda of the time countryside. Napoleon had letter was intercepted by the claimed that Napoleon was the ability to inspire his British and published in the shorter than average. In fact, troops to follow him into London newspapers, much he was about 1.7m tall, battle. Napoleon’s strategic to Napoleon’s which was an average height brilliance and his charismatic embarrassment. Joséphine for the period. personality made him one of could not bear any children history’s greatest military Warfare so Napoleon eventually leaders. divorced her. In 1810 he Napoleon divided his huge “EMPEROR NAPOLEON IN HIS STUDY” married an Austrian armies into many small units (DAVID, 1812) HISTORY THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON Page 97 3.7 AFTERMATH AND LEGACY After France is defeated, Europe’s conservative monarchies have the upper hand again. They are able to undo most of the changes brought about by the French Revolution and Napoleon’s Empire. However, they are unable to erase the central ideas of liberty, equality or democracy from people’s minds. The ideals of the Revolution live on.  HISTORY Page 98 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON The Congress of Vienna (1815) The most important participants the borders of Switzerland as were Austria, Britain, Prussia, well as its neutrality and The Congress of Vienna was a Russia and France. independence are conference of all major European acknowledged powers who met in the Austrian Why was France invited too? capital from September 1814 to France has to return all annexed The main results of the peace June 1815. Napoleon’s conquests territories but remains within conference were: and peace treaties had changed the borders which existed large parts of the political Russia and Prussia are the before the outbreak of war landscape in central Europe, but winners regarding the territorial Why did the Congress not decide now that France was about to be changes in central Europe to divide France among the defeated it was time to redraw the Russia becomes the leading winners? political map of the continent. Negotiations even continued great power on the European Except for Britain, all major when Napoleon returned from continent powers among the winners were exile and seized power again in absolutist monarchies. As a Prussia becomes the leading March 1815. The final act of the consequence, in most territories power in the German-speaking congress was actually signed nine which had been affected by region but an actual German days before Napoleon’s final Napoleon those rulers were state is not established defeat at Waterloo. installed again who had been in power before. In most cases they  HISTORY Page 99 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON were conservative monarchies. In by the French Revolution. They There were several revolutionary France, e.g., the dynasty of the were successful regarding their uprisings against reactionary Bourbons (Louis XVIII) ruled the territory and rule. However, they rulers in various countries. country again. This process is could not simply erase the new However, the great European known as Restoration. ways how many people thought. monarchies proved very robust Revolutionary fantasies, against revolution. Only The leading powers of Europe Enlightened thinking or the ideals extraordinary circumstances led to with the notable exception of of liberty, equality or democracy the overthrow of a monarch. Britain then formed the “Holy remained popular. The right to France finally became a republic Alliance”. They promised to national self-determination – the again in 1870 when Emperor support each other in case they right for nations to govern Napoleon III, a nephew of were threatened by liberal or even themselves remained a very Bonaparte, lost a war against revolutionary opposition. powerful vision. It did not really Germany. The emperors of Why did Britain not join the “Holy matter that many democratic Germany/Prussia, Austria and Alliance”? ideals were ignored in practice in Russia lost their crowns at the end several phases during the French of the First World War. The Legacy of the French Revolution. The revolutionary Revolution Even though the French myth had been created and it was Revolution failed eventually, it still alive. At the Congress of Vienna the became a symbol of the conservative monarchies tried to beginning of a new age due to undo the changes brought about  HISTORY Page 100 THE FRENCH REVOLUTION AND NAPOLEON the power of its ideas and visions. „LIBERTÉ, EGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ“ The ideals of liberty, equality and The motto liberté, égalité, fraternité became independence which had been the most famous slogan of the Revolution. It formed in the age of was, however, not used during the first Enlightenment had actually led to revolution of 1789. It first appeared in 1790. a fundamental change even It was not until the foundation of the Third before the French Revolution Republic after 1870 that the slogan was made occurred. The American official. 14 July was declared a national day and Revolution, the successful the Marseillaise was made the national anthem struggle for independence of the in the same period. American colonies from the Liberté, égalité, fraternité are therefore a English mother country, was somewhat nostalgic and idealised look back to based on European ideas and a period in French history when the ideals concepts. Unlike in France, behind the slogan were the guiding lights however, the revolution in towards a more just society but which in reality America survived, leading to the were ignored in several phases during the foundation of the United States of Revolution. America in 1783.