Unit 2 Section 3 Napoleon Forges an Empire Study Guide

Lycées

government-run public schools

Napoleon Bonaparte

(1769-1821) A French military general who became the emperor of France and took hold of power.

Why was 1802 such an important year for the French Revolution?

1802 was an important year for the French Revolution because Britain, Austria and Russia signed peace agreements with France and Europe was at peace for the first time in ten years.

Plebiscite

A direct vote in which a country's people have the opportunity to approve or reject a proposal

Coup d'etat

A sudden seizure of power like Napoleon's when he became the first consul and also a dictator. Also, it is known as the "Blow to the State"

Directory

Established after the Reign of Terror / National Convention; a five man group as the executive branch of the country; incompetent and corrupt, only lasted for 4 years.

Political reforms implemented by Napoleon

Napoleon also took steps to end corruption and inefficiency in government by dismissing corrupt officials and set up lycées or government-run public schools in order to provide the government with trained officials.

What were Napoleon's accomplishments by age 16 in 1785; and, what did he do at age 20 when the French Revolution broke out in 1789?

Napoleon became a lieutenant in the artillery in 1785 after he was done with school at the age of 16. He joined the army of the new government in 1789 when the Revolution broke out.

Although Napoleon lost territory in the Americas (Saint Dominque and the Louisiana Territory) 1801-1803 he did nevertheless benefit, explain:

Napoleon benefited in two ways even after losing these territories in the Americas. First, he would gain money to finance operations in Europe. Second, he would punish the British.

Who is Napoleon addressing and how do you think he feels at that moment?

Napoleon is addressing the soldiers, expressing his pride in them. This shows that he's extremely happy and proud of his French army and he wants all the soldiers to know that they were very brave in the Battle of Austerlitz and they should be proud to tell everyone that they fought in the battle.

Who is Napoleon compared to?

Napoleon is compared to Alexander the Great of Macedonia, Hannibal of Carthage and Julius Caesar of Rome.

Economic reforms implemented by Napoleon

Napoleon set up an efficient method of tax collection and established a national banking system. These actions promoted sound financial management and better control of the economy and also ensured that the government always had a steady supply of tax money.

Religious reforms implemented by Napoleon

Napoleon signed a concordat or an agreement with Pope Pius VII, which established a new relationship between church and state according which the government recognized the influence of the church but rejected its control in national affairs.

What event in 1795 made Napoleon the hero of the hour? Why was that so important for the Revolution?

Napoleon was asked to defend the delegates in October 1795 when royalist rebels marched on the National Convention. He and his gunners started a gunfire on the royalists which led them to flee and panic in confusion. This made Napoleon become hero of the hour and he also became known throughout Paris as the savior of the French republic. This was important for the Revolution because France needed a strong military leader like him.

Appointed by the Directory to lead the French army, how did Napoleon distinguished himself in 1796?

Napoleon was assigned as a leader of the French army against the Austrian army and Kingdom of Sardinia in 1796. He swept into Italy and won a series of remarkable victories.

Napoleonic Code

Napoleon's comprehensive system of laws which gave the country a uniform set of laws and eliminated many injustices. It also limited and promoted order and authority over individual rights. Freedom of speech and press were restricted under this code. The code also restores slavery in the French colonies of the Caribbean.

Battle of Trafalgar

Naval engagement fought by the British Royal Navy against the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies during the War of the Third Coalition of the Napoleonic Wars

The Battle of Austerlitz

One of the most important and decisive engagements of the Napoleonic Wars

Where is Napoleon from since he is not from France?

The Mediterranean island of Corsica.

The plebiscite of 1800 allowed Napoleon to do what? And by the way-what is a plebiscite?

The plebiscite was a vote of the people to approve a new constitution. It allowed Napoleon to take over all real power as first consul because the people voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Constitution.

Napoleon had mastery over most of Europe by 1812; the book claims that even areas that were loosely attached to Napoleon's empire through alliances were manipulated. How?

The powerful countries of Austria, Russia and Prussia that were loosely attached to Napoleon's empire through alliances were easily manipulated by threats of military actions, although they were not totally under Napoleon's control.

1804, Napoleon Crowned himself emperor of France: What meaning do you think this event had on a country that had just recently deposed a king?

When Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of France in 1804, it was a signal that he was more powerful than the church and is more popular and respected as a strong leader by the people of France than Louis XVI.

The two major results of the Battle of Trafalgar

a.) The Battle of Trafalgar ensured the supremacy of the British navy for the next 100 years. b.) It forced Napoleon to give up his plans of invading Britain and he had to look for another way to control his powerful enemy across the English Channel.

Concordat

an agreement or treaty, especially one between the Vatican and a secular government relating to matters of mutual interest.