Napoleon study guide
What happened to Napoleon's Grand Army?
The 1,000-mile retreat from Moscow turned into a desperate battle for survival Russian attacks and the brutal Russian winter took a terrible toll Fewer than 20,000 French soldiers survived French general Michel Ney sadly concluded, "General Famine and General Winter, rather than Russian bullets, have conquered the Grand Army."
legitimacy
principle by which monarchies that had been unseated by the French Revolution or Napoleon were restored
What happened to france's fleet?
Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 destroyed the French fleet
Guerilla warfare
fighting carried on through hit-and-run raids
What was the name given to the final phase of the French Revolution?
the Napoleonic Wars
Early in Napoleon's career prior to 1799, what were some of his successes and failure as a military leader?
1793, he drove British forces out of the French port of Toulon 1795 defended Directory from a mob of Parisians A "Whiff of Grapeshot" = Hero of the Hour 1796 won several dazzling victories against the Austrians, capturing most of northern Italy and forcing the Austrian emperor to make peace Expedition to Egypt in 1798 was a disaster, hid stories of the worst losses from newspapers in France
Describe Napoleon's early political accomplishments.
1799 he helped overthrow the weak Directory and set up a three-man governing board known as the Consulate, another constitution was drawn up, Napoleon became First Consul 1802 Napoleon had himself named consul for life.(Voted in) 1804 Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France
What was Napoleon's height?
5'6"
How did nationalism work against Napoleon?
All across Napoleon's empire, nationalism unleashed revolts against France
Napoleon escaped his island and returned from exile. His return is short lived as he is finally defeated at this battle? What happens to Napoleon after the battle?
Battle of Waterloo in Belgium 1815 British forces under the Duke of Wellington crushed the French in an agonizing day-long battle Once again, Napoleon was forced to abdicate and exiled to St. Helena, an island in the South Atlantic where he dies.
Why was the Continental System considered a failure?
Britain's powerful navy kept vital trade routes open to the Americas and India Trade restrictions created a scarcity of goods in Europe which sent prices soaring Resentment intensified against French power
What tactic did Napoleon decide to use to attack Britain once the possibility of invasion was rule out? How did Britain respond? How did this eventually impact the US?
Continental System, Britain response - implemented their own blockade of European ports Attacks on American ships started war of 1812.
What was the impact of Napoleon's conquests?
French armies spread ideas of the revolution across Europe Backed liberal reforms in the lands he conquered In some places helped install revolutionary governments abolished titles of nobility ended Church privileges opened careers to men of talent ended serfdom and manorial dues Napoleonic Code influenced countries in continental Europe and Latin America
Identify the goals of the Congress of Vienna.
Goal was restoring stability and order in Europe Main goal was to create a lasting peace by establishing a balance of power and protecting the system of monarchy Principle of Legitimacy - restore things to the way they were in 1792 Holy Alliance - Christian monarchs joining together to suppress future revolutions Redraw the map of Europe to contain French ambitions ringed France with strong countries
What happened to Napoleon after the Battle of Leipzig?
Napoleon abdicated Sent to Elba, an island in the Mediterranean Brother of Louis XVI is recognized as leader of France (Louis XVIII)
Identify some of Napoleon's economic and social reforms.
Napoleon controlled prices Encouraged new industry Built roads and canals Set up a system of public schools under strict government control to ensure well-trained officials and military officers Backed off from some of the Revolution's church reforms Concordat of 1801 - peace with Catholic Church, recognized religious freedom for Catholics Emigres encouraged to return and peasants given land rights Opened government jobs based on merit Overall, Napoleon brought order from the chaos of the revolution
After reaching Moscow, why did Napoleon turn his army toward home?
Napoleon realized that he would not be able to feed and supply his army through the long Russian winter
What was the reaction in France to his military conquests?
Napoleon's successes boosted the spirit of nationalism Great victory parades filled the streets of Paris with cheering crowds People celebrated the glory and grandeur that Napoleon had gained for France
Describe Napoleon's legacy.
Napoleonic Code consolidated many changes of the Revolution France a centralized state with a constitution Elections were held with expanded, though limited, suffrage Many more citizens had rights to property and access to education than under the old regime Still, French citizens lost many rights promised by republicans during the Convention Europe Napoleonic Wars spread the ideas of the French Revolution Failed to make Europe into a French empire Sparked nationalist feelings across Europe Abolition of the Holy Roman Empire will eventually help in creating a new Germany North America 1803 sold Louisiana Territory to the American government doubled the size of the United States and ushered in an age of American expansion
What was the english channel nickname?
Natural barrier
Describe the ways Napoleon changed the judicial system in France?
New code of laws Napoleonic Code - equality of all citizens, religious toleration, and abolition of feudalism Undid some reforms of the French Revolution. Women lost most of their newly gained rights and could not exercise the rights of citizenship Napoleon valued order and authority over individual rights.
Under Napoleon's control, what unofficial slogan replaced "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity?"
Order, Security, and Efficiency
Why was there heavy resistance to Napoleon in Spain?
Resistance grew from reforms introduced that sought to undermine the Spanish Catholic Church Spaniards remained loyal to their former king and devoted to the Church
Why did Napoleon invade Russia? How did the Russian tactic of scorched earth wear down the French Army?
Russia and France were former allies Russia became unhappy with the economic effects of the Continental System and led the Tsar to withdraw his support Napoleon responded to the Tsar's action by assembling a Grand Army Russian tactics avoided battles with Napoleon, retreating eastward burning crops and villages as they went left the French hungry and cold as winter came
What kept Napoleon from conquering Britain?
The English channel and Britain's naval power
How did Napoleon control his vast European empire?
Used forceful diplomacy - putting friends and relatives on the thrones of Europe Forced alliances on European powers
What types of tactics did Spanish forces use against Napoleon and why was it effective?
Used guerrilla warfare or hit-and-run raids Small bands of guerrillas ambushed French supply trains or troops before retreating into the countryside Kept large numbers of French soldiers tied down in Spain when Napoleon needed them elsewhere
Plebiscite
a ballot in which voters have a direct say on an issue
Napoleonic Wars
a series of wars from 1804 to 1805 that pitted Napoleon's French empire against the major powers of Europe
Annex
add a territory to an existing state or country
Congress of Vienna
assembly of European leaders that met after the Napoleonic era to piece Europe back together; met from September 1814 to June 181
Describe the Congress of Vienna.
assembly of European leaders that met after the Napoleonic era to piece Europe back together; met from September 1814 to June 1815
Continental System
blockade designed by Napoleon to hurt Britain economically by closing European ports to British goods; ultimately unsuccessful
Napoleonic Code
body of French civil laws introduced in 1804; served as a model for many nations' civil codes
Abdicate
give up or step down from power
Concert of Europe
loose peacekeeping organization whose goal was to preserve the agreements set up by the Congress of Vienna