Napoleon Bonaparte - Foreign and domestic policy

Question 1

How Napoleon as a warrior?

Answer 1

1. Napoleon had brought almost the entirety of Europe under his control through war with different powers, including Austria, Prussia, and Russia.
2. He created the confederation of the Rhine, Grand Duchy or Warsaw and the Kingdom of Italy
3. In the conquered places, Napoleon strategically placed his friends and family members in the governments, so that they would maintain their loyalty to him.

Question 2

What happened during the Battle of Trafalgar?

Answer 2

1. Many European powers were defeated by Napoleon, but Britain remained unconquered mainly because of their powerful navy
2. In the Battle of Trafalgar (1805), the French navy was defeated by the British Navy, under the command of Lord Nelson, who was killed in the battle.
3. It was one of the most decisive naval battles in history. A British fleet, under admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined French and Spanish at the battle of Trafalgar, fought of the coast of Spain.
4. The battle raged at its fiercest around the victory, and a French sniper shot Nelson in the shoulder and chest. Nelson’s last words, after being formed that victory was imminent, were “Now I am satisfied. Thank God, I have done my duty.”
5. Victory at the battle of Trafalgar ensured that Napoleon would never invade Britain. Nelson was hailed as the saviour of his nation. A column was created in his memory in the newly named ‘Trafalgar Square’, and numerous streets were renamed in his honour.

Question 3

What was the Continental System?

Answer 3

1. Napoleon, on realising that he would not be able to defeat Britain, decided to take an economic measure to weaken their trade with the rest of Europe.
2. He ordered European states to stop selling Europeans were forcibly close to British ships, and British goods found in Europe confiscated. Goods
3. European ports were forcibly closed to British ships, and British goods found in Europe were confiscated.
4. This was the continental system

Question 4

What was the Impact of the Continental System?

Answer 4

1. The continental system became very unpopular among the countries, this affected the government severely.
2. Portugal openly refused to join the continental system.
3. The pope also refused to follow the continental system. This angered Napoleon and he captured and imprisoned the pope, shocking catholics all over Europe and made Napoleon extremely unpopular.
4. Russia also defied he system and allowed british goods into their land
5. Napoleon decided to invade Russia and forcibly make them follow the system.

Question 5

What happened during the Russian Campaign?

Answer 5

1. Napoleon gathers a huge army and invades Russia in the hope that he would get the Tsar (Alexander I) to obey him
2. The more Napoleon and his army crept inside, the more the russians retreated deep into their vast country, burning the land behind them.
3. By the time Napoleon reached Moscow, the Russians had burnt the city and retreated
4. Meanwhile the harsh winter had crept in and Napoleon had to retreat. He lost many soldiers on the way back, causing the destruction of Napoleon’s grand army.
5. Beginning of Napoleon’s downfall

Question 6

What were Napoleon’s Educational Reforms?

Answer 6

1. Napoleon continued the Revolution’s system of free and compulsory education
2. Educational policies favoured the property owning classes, mainly the military elites
3. There was no provision for girls - Napoleon thought that too much education would prejudice them in the society as their role was to marry and bear children
4. Napoleon established secondary schools for educational and military training (he favoured higher education)
5. He controlled a number of colleges under his central authority called the “University of France”

Question 7

What were Napoleon’s Administrative Reforms?

Answer 7

1. To ensure efficient working of the administration he created several departments such as districts and sub-departments
2. He introduced Legion of Honour and awarded titles to those who served him well - He used honesty efficiency hence it became possible for most talented people to attain positions.
3. He introduced censorship of the press - the newspaper were censored, no controversial matters would be allowed to be published in the paper, even book and plays were used to emphasise on Napoleon’s honour and achievements

Question 8

What was Napoleon’s Napoleonic Code?

Answer 8

1. Napoleon’s greatest achievement in government was the Napoleonic Code, which influenced French Law to the present
2. It recognise that all men were equal before the law and guaranteed freedom of religion as well as a person’s right to work in any occupation (freedom of occupation)
3. However it put the interest of the state above those of individual citizens and dropped laws passed during the revolution that protected the rights of women and children

Question 9

Name 2 architectures Napoleon built.

Answer 9

1. Arch de Tromph - Napoleon built the Arch de Tromph to celebrate his victories and honour the soldiers who died in wars.
2. The Louvre - It was a medieval fortress. It was filled with the art and treasures brought from conquered countries all over Europe. It is one of the most famous museums.