3.4 The Age of

Napoleon

I. Napoleon Rises to Power

• Became popular due to his victories in the army• Covered up his failures with

networks of spies and censoring the press

• General political leader First Consul Emperor of France• Had major support from the

people

II. Napoleon Reforms France

• Napoleon’s work• Economy: controlled prices, encouraged

new industry, built roads and canals, • Society: public schools, religious

freedom, welcomed emigres home, opened jobs to all

• Created Napoleonic Code• Enlightenment principles• Women lost rights• Valued order and authority over

individual rights.

III. Napoleon Builds an Empire

• By 1812, empire at its greatest peak

• Europe redrawn• France annexed the Netherlands, Belgium,

parts of Italy and Germany

• How did he do it?• Placed friends and family in charge• Forced alliances throughout Europe• Support from the French people

• 1805 Napoleon attempts to invade Britain. FAILED• He waged economic war. FAILED• Cutting off food supplies created rise in food

prices and anger towards the French.

IV. Napoleon’s Empire Faces Challenges

• Spanish attacks France with guerilla warfare.• Soon other countries

joined the effort to stop French domination in Europe

• Napoleon tries to invade Russia…FAILED because of Russia’s scorched-earth policy

V. Napoleon Falls From Power

• Russia, Britain, Austria and Prussia joined forces• 1813 Napoleon defeated at the Battle of the

Nations at Leipzig

• Napoleon steps down and exiled to Elba• Louis XVIII becomes king• Napoleon returns in 1815, Louis XVIII not liked

• Defeat at Battle of Waterloo• Napoleon exiled again

• His legacy• Died in 1821• France was centralized

under his reign• More rights to citizens,

except women• Revolutionary ideas spread

worldwide• Spread nationalist feelings• Influence reached

America…sold Louisiana Territory to US

VI. Leaders Meet at the Congress of Vienna

• GOAL: create a lasting peace by establishing a balance of power and protecting the system of monarchy.

• Europe redrawn

• Restored hereditary monarchies