Napoleon Bonaparte Flashcards
Where was Napoleon Bonaparte born?
On the island of Corsica
What was Napoleon’s family background?
His father was of minor nobility, but his family was not rich.
What the Napoleon study for?
The military
Who was commander of the French armies in Italy?
Napoleon
What were Napoleon’s qualities that earn support from those around him?
Speed, surprise, decisive action, intelligence, ease with words, and self-confidence
What was Napoleon given command to do, and how did he handle the situation?
Train an army that was planning to invade Britain. He knew that France could not carry out the invasion, so he suggested striking indirectly at Britain by taking Egypt.
When Napoleon overthrew the Directory, what did he set up?
A new government: the consulate, a republic
What the consulate really a republic?
In theory, it was, but Napoleon held absolute power
What was Napoleon called in the consulate?
The first consul
What did Napoleon do as the first consul?
He appointed officials, controlled the army, conducted foreign affairs, and influenced the legislature
How did Napoleon became emperor?
He crowned himself emperor
What was one of Napoleon’s first moves?
Establishing peace with the Catholic Church with an agreement recognizing Catholicism as the religion of a majority of the French people. In return, the pope would not ask for a return of church lands seized in the revolution.
What did Napoleon establish?
Seven law codes, the most important being the Civil Code/Napoleonic Code
What did the Napoleonic Code preserve?
The many principles that the revolutionaries had fought for: equality of all citizens before the law, the right of an individual to choose a profession, religious toleration, and the abolition of serfdom
Who did the Napoleonic Code negatively impact?
Women and children, who had their rights taken away
How did Napoleon destroy some revolutionary ideals?
Liberty was replaced by a despotism, newspapers were shut down, books were banned, manuscripts were subject to government scrutiny, and mail was open by government police
What was one way that Napoleon expanded his empire?
By placing his relatives on the thrones of other kingdoms
What were some ways in which Napoleon destroyed old order?
By taking away the special privileges of the nobility and the clergy, opportunity open to those with ability, equality before the law, and religious toleration
What is nationalism?
The sense of unique identity of people based on language, religion, and national symbols
What was Napoleon’s motto?
Order, Security, Efficiency
What did “Order” mean in Napoleon’s motto?
Organization, control, hierarchy
What did “Security” mean in Napoleon’s motto?
The state of being free from danger or threat
What did “Efficiency” mean in Napoleon’s motto?
Being able to accomplish something with the least waste of time and effort
Why did Napoleon invade Russia?
The Russians had refused to remain in the Continental System
What was Napoleon’s mistake in his defeat by Russia?
He thought that he would have a quick victory over the Russians
What did the Russians do that led to the downfall of Napoleon?
They burned their own villages to prevent Napoleon’s army from finding food, then retreated for hundreds of miles.
What happened when the Grand Army reached Moscow?
They found the city ablaze. Because his army was lacking in food and supplies, he abandoned the Russian capital.
What happened during the “Great Retreat”?
Thousands of soldiers froze and starved to death
What did the “Great Retreat” lead other European countries to do?
Attack the crippled French army
What happened due to the crippled French army?
Napoleon was sent into exile on the island of Elba, and Louis XVIII restored monarchy to France
What did Napoleon do once he was sent into exile in Elba?
He snuck out and entered Paris in triumph
What did Napoleon do once he reclaimed his position in France?
He raised a French army to prepare for the attack across the border in Belgium
What happened at the Battle of Waterloo?
British and Prussian forces defeated Napoleon, and he was sent into exile at St. Helena until he died
What happened after Napoleon died?
The map of Europe was redrawn, hereditary monarchy was restored
