Napoleon

Horatio Nelson

British Admiral whose fleet destroyed the combined French fleet at Trafalgar

Scorched Earth Policy

Burning live stock and crops to prevent the enemy from living off the land. Russians did this in response to Napoleon's advancing Grand Armee

guerrilla

a member of an irregular armed force that fights a stronger force by sabotage and harassment

Coup d'etat

a sudden seizure of political power in a nation, often by force with the backing of the military

Battle of Trafalgar

an 1805 naval battle in which Napoleon's forces were defeated by a British fleet under the command of Horatio Nelson.

Blockade

an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving. Napoleon established this over all of continental Europe to stop British shipping.

Concordat

the peace agreement made between Napoleon and the Pope following the chaos of the French Revolution. Recognized the influence of the Catholic Church but separated them from government affairs.

Napoleonic Code

A comprehensive and uniform system of laws established for France by Napoleon. Established equality for all MEN before the law.

Peninsular War

A conflict, lasting from 1808 to 1813, in which Spanish Rebels, with the aid of British forces, fought to drive Napoleons French troops out of Spain.

Plebiscite

A direct vote in which a country's people have the opportunity to approve or reject a proposal. Napoleon validated his rule this way.

Conservative Reaction

At the Congress of Vienna, conservatives tried to re-establish monarchies throughout Europe and roll back the successes of the Enlightenment and French Revolution.

Balance of Power

Condition of roughly equal strength between opposing countries or alliances of countries. At the Congress of Vienna the nations of Europe tried to establish this to keep peace in Europe

Exile to Elba

Following the Battle of Nations, Napoleon was exiled after being forced to abdicate his throne. He eventually escaped this island.

Lycees

French government-run public schools. Napoleon extended it to all male citizens to strengthen the republic.

Corsica

Island where Napoleon was born

Congress of Vienna

Meeting of representatives of European monarchs called to reestablish the old order after the defeat of Napoleon. Tried to rebuild the map of Europe and roll back the successes of the French Revolution.

Invasion of Russia 1812

Napoleon continued his pursuit of world domination and invaded Russia. This campaign began a chain of events that eventually led to his downfall. Napoleon's final defeat brought an end to the era of the French Revolution.

Exile to St. Helena

Napoleon was exiled to a barren island in the South Atlantic so he could not escape, he was miserable because he could not rule or fight, was depressed, wrote memoirs, died there, followed by an English officer at all times, his health was declining

Continental System

Napoleon's policy of preventing trade between Great Britain and continental Europe, intended to destroy Great Britain's economy.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Overthrew French Directory in 1799 and became emperor of the French in 1804. Failed to defeat Great Britain and abdicated in 1814. Returned to power briefly in 1815 but was defeated and died in exile.

Hundred Days

The brief period during 1815 when Napoleon made his last bid for power, deposing the French King and again becoming Emperor of France. Started after he escaped exile from Elba.

Battle of Waterloo

This was the battle that Napoleon lost after his return from Elba that ended his reign as French ruler