Chapter 15 Flashcards
Where was Napoleon born?
Corsica, 1769
Corsica surrendered to France 1768 from Republic of Genoa
Father was a Corsican Nationalist & initially fought France
What was Napoleon’s social position?
Minor nobility (not too rich)
Father saw benefits of cooperating w/ French system: could send N to military academy for free
Where did Napoleon train as an artillery officer?
What did he graduate as?
1784, Paris, Ecole Militaire
Sub-lieutenant of artillery
How was Napoleon an outsider at Ecole Militaire/France?
Lowly Corsican nobility
State-funded at a private school
What did Napoleon’s emphasis on family loyalty consist of?
Promotion of family & relatives
What was the effect of Napoleon’s high energy levels?
Workaholic - 18 hours a day
Dictated most aspects - never delegated, led to downfall
When does Napoleon join a Jacobin affiliate club?
When he returns to Corsica in 1789
Where did Napoleon make his name?
Toulon, 1793 during Federal Revolt
How does Napoleon use his Toulon success as propaganda?
Postcard - sent around & seen by many rather than stationary painting
During the early 1790s, why was it a good time to be an ambitious officer?
Mass emigration of officers (emigres)
Offered Commander of Artillery position when current injured
Shows it was partly right place, right time
What was Napoleon promoted to in 1793?
Commander of the Artillery of the Army of Italy
Who does Napoleon befriend when he’s a general?
Paul Barras
Robespierre
Both on CPS
How was the Coup of Thermidor (1794) negative for Napoleon?
Briefly imprisoned; survives but out of favour
What was Napoleon’s way back into popularity/success after the Coup of Thermidor?
Vendemiaire uprising - any officers without a posting to make selves available
N kills 400 protestors
What was Napoleon promoted to after the Vendemiaire uprising?
Commander of the Army of the Interior - largest French army
Who did Napoleon marry in March 1796?
What was the nature of their relationship?
Josephine de Beauharnais - divorcee & Parisian society beauty
N besotted, J not so much
Both have affairs throughout
When & why was Napoleon appointed to Command the Army of Italy?
How does he use promotion as propaganda?
March 1796
After Italian campaign stalls (not doing much) to get it going again
Successful, widely publicised & exaggerated
What failures did Napoleon have in 1798-99?
Egypt campaign
Why is Napoleon’s reputation strong despite Egypt failure?
Loyalty of army:
Payment in metal coins (keep value better)
Put soldiers first
Blind eye to soldiers pillaging aft battle
Brought peace:
Campo Formia, 1797, but w/o Directory consent
How did Napoleon seize power?
Sought to replace failing Directory
Coup of Brumaire: creation of new gov, Consulate
