Napoleon

coup d' etat

The quick overthrowing of a government in favor of another, usually through violent means.

The Hundred Days

The time from Napoleon's return from exile on Elba to defeat at Waterloo.

Continental System

(1806-12)French economic plan to cripple Britain by cutting them off economically from the world. It fails because European nations continue to trade with Britain.

Louis XVIII

(1814-24) Brother of King Louis XVI. Ruled France during Napoleon's exile to Elba.

Battle at Trafalgar

(October 1805) Britain's Admiral Nelson destroyed the combined French and Spanish navies. Nelson was killed but invasion of Britain now became impossible and Britain's navy would be dominant for 100 years.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 - The U.S. purchased the land from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains from Napoleon for $15 million. Napoleon wanted to sell because he needed money for his European campaigns and because a rebellion against the French in Haiti had soured him on the idea of New World colonies. The Constitution did not give the federal government the power to buy land, so Jefferson used loose construction to justify the purchase.

Congress of Vienna

1814 meeting of Napoleon's victors to devise a stable territorial arrangement: Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia and France. Restored France to 1790 boundaries and divided up the remaining land to create a Europe that was consolidated mostly into countries with balanced power with Royal Families leading them. Switzerland becomes a nation and the German Confederation is founded.

Toussaint L' Ouverture

Former slave and leader of the Haitian Revolution. He freed the slaves and gained effective independence for Haiti despite military interventions by the French.

Invasion of Russia

France invaded Russia with more than 500,000 soldiers, Russia retreats with its 160,000 soldiers. Napoleon gains nothing and on the return trip back to France most of his armies dies in the Russian winter, only 50,000- 75,000 of the original 600,000 returned.

Peninsula War

France was forced to invade Spain. Spain was upset because of the damage done by troops Napoleon was marching through Spain to punish Portugal. Very costly for Napoleon. Spanish and Portuguese use guerrilla warfare.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Military officer during the Revolution, he took power in a coup d'etat, and became Emperor of France. Famous for his military and logistical strategies, his dominance of Europe and his height.

Napoleonic Code

Passed by Napoleon. Took away many of the rights gained by during the French Revolution but it did restore order.

Saint Helena

South Atlantic island. Napoleon's final home after the Battle of Waterloo.

Battle of Waterloo

The Battle of Waterloo, fought on 18 June 1815, was Napoleon Bonaparte's last battle. His defeat put a final end to his rule as Emperor of the French. Waterloo also marked the end of the period known as the Hundred Days, which began in March 1815 after Napoleon's return from Elba, where he had been exiled after his defeats at the Battle of Leipzig in 1813 and the campaigns of 1814 in France.