Napoleon

Colony

A country that is under the control of another nation.

Spain

A country that strongly resented Napoleon and being forced to have one of his family members rule. Nationalism worked against Napoleon in this instance.

Madame de Stael

A critic of Napoleon. She had played an important role during the French Revolution and bravely criticized things that he did and viewed him as being selfish.

Tyrant

A description of Napoleon that gained strength over time.

Haiti

A former French colony. Haiti was the first colony in the Americas to gain freedom after the United States. It was also the site of one of the first successful slave revolts.

Battle of Nile

Britain's navy, led by Admiral Nelson, destroyed the French Navy. Napoleon then abandoned his army and fled back to France.

Toulon

City that Napoleon helped to recapture from anti-revolutionary forces. This allowed him to become one of the youngest generals in the army.

Egypt

Country Napoleon wanted to capture to cut off Britain's trade route to India.

Russian Tsar

Did not trust Napoleon and went against the Continental system to continue trade with Britain.

Russian Campaign

Napoleon's war on Russia that started in 1812. Napoleon led an army of around 600 000 soldiers into battle.

Spoils

Things soldiers steal from people they have conquered. This is how Napoleon became very wealthy.

Napoleon's greatness

What school children in France had many lessons about.

Austrian Rulers

What the Italians wanted to get rid of by siding with Napoleon after he promised freedom from the "tyrants who enslaved them"

Battle of Waterloo

One of the most famous battles in history fought between Napoleons army and British and German troops. The Duke of Wellington led his forces to victory and routed the French Army. Almost 50 000 soldiers died in the battle which lasted for a whole day.

Port of Rochefort

Place where Napoleon eventually surrendered to the British after fleeing Waterloo.

Tariffs

A tax placed on imported goods. Used by Napoleon to try and protect French industry.

Civil Code

Also known as the Napoleonic Code. This code aimed to create a unified code of laws for the whole country. It guaranteed the right to equality under the law, right to hold property, freedom of religion, and freedom to choose one's own work. Women lost many rights under the code.

Congress of Vienna

An alliance of governments that came together to decide how the French empire should be broken up and governed. The members included France, Austria, Britain, Russia and Prussia. The main goal of the congress was to create a balance of powers that would work to prevent future wars.

Cossacks

Fierce riders from Russia that attacked the Grand Armee while they were retreating.

Saint Helena

Island that Napoleon was exiled to in the South Atlantic. He remained a prisoner there until his death in 1821.

Countries that had members of Napoleon's family made into Monarchs.

Italy, Naples, Spain, Sweden, Germany, and Holland. Napoleon made these countries base their governments on those of France. He abolished serfdom, introduced the Napoleonic code, and encouraged religious tolerance.

100 days

Length of time that Napoleon returned to France to rule for. He forced King Louis XVIII to flee and Napoleon began to rebuild his forces. He built up an army of over 300 000 in only a few months.

Improvements to France

Napoleon built and improved France's infrastructure, built new harbours and canals, established national banks, built new universities and schools, kept price of food low.

Grand Armee

Napoleon's large and motivated army. This army could travel long distances and twice as fast as many other armies. They were highly successful and Napoleon understood how to motivate his soldiers. Many of the soldiers in the army were not French but still came to idolize Napoleon.

Allies of Napoleon

Russia, Austria, and Prussia

Treaty of Tilsit

Signed by Austria, Russia and Prussia after Napoleon defeated their armies. This divided Europe into new countries and provinces.

Impact on Grand Armee after retreat from Moscow

Soldiers lost confidence in Napoleon. Many froze to death along the way. Only 9000 of the original 600 000 made it back. Napoleon abandoned the army and returned to Paris.

Scorched Earth Policy

Strategy used by Russians during their war with Napoleon. Instead of surrendering, Russian soldiers would retreat and burn everything they could as they did so. This included burning food and shelters. Since Napoleon's army lived off the land (foraging) this strategy proved to be very effective.

Bonapartists

Supporters of Napoleon who wanted him to return to power.

Guerrilla Warfare

Tactic used by Spain to fight back against Napoleon's troops after Napoleon's brother Jerome replaced the Spanish King.

Promises made to Napoleon's army

That soldiers of each different nationality would be able to form their own countries after the Russian Campaign.

Louis XVIII

The brother of Louis XVI who was invited to become the King of France. He made many terrible decisions, including wanting to bring back the Divine Right of Kings.

The Directory

The government that Napoleon helped to overthrow.

Nationalism

The idea of people creating a nation and having the belief that one's own country is the best. Napoleon used these feelings to help defeat many of his enemies empires.

Corsica

The island that Napoleon was born on.

Elba

The island that Napoleon was exiled to after he had to abdicate the throne. Napoleon was also forced to give up his title and powers. This marked the end of the French Revolution.

First Consul

Title that Napoleon gave himself after seizing power in France

Emperor

Title that Napoleon gave himself in 1804. This gave him complete control of the country's affairs.

Secret Police

Used by Napoleon to arrest and detain anyone for almost any reason.

Censorship

Used by Napoleon to make society share his values. He exerted control over the media, the law and the education system.

Continental System

Used by Napoleon to try and eliminate Britain's trade with Europe. This system forbid nations under Napoleon's empire to trade with the British or its colonies or risk punishment. Because of the strength of the British navy the system ended up hurting the French Empire as much as it did the British.

Retreat from Moscow

What Napoleon decided to do after arriving with his army only to find that the city had been set on fire and deserted. Napoleon hoped to retreat before the Russian winter began.

Command of an army fighting in Italy

What Napoleon got after helping to save the Convention from rebellious French citizens.