The Downfall of Napoleon

Open Ended

Examine the paintings of Napoleon. How did his image change through the years? Can you predict why?

• The Napoleonic Wars took place from about 1800 to 1815.

• Originally an attempt to maintain French strength established by the French Revolutionary Wars, they became efforts by Napoleon to affirm his supremacy in the balance of European power.

• Between 1809 and 1811, Napoleon's empire stood at its greatest extent
  

1802- Napoleon as a great General

Multiple Choice

Use the map to answer the question.

Which statement about Napoleon's Empire in 1812 is TRUE based on the map?

• The French Empire gained control of Northern Africa

• Napoleon was able to conquer most of Western Europe

• Napoleon led a successful campaign against the Russian Empire

• The Kingdom of Spain remained independent of French control

• POSITIVE

  • Created the Napoleonic Codes

    • Organized the legal Code

    • Freedom of Religion

    • Tax Equality/Banking System

    • Spread democratic ideas

• NEGATIVE

  • Reinstated Slavery in Colonies

  • Waged constant war left millions dead (invasion of Russia a failure)

  • Increased Militarism

  • Absolute Dictatorship

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1806- Napoleon crowns himself emperor

Multiple Choice

Which of the following changes under Napoleon were NOT consistent with the ideas of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution?

• Government jobs based on merit, not birth

• No person could be exempt from taxes because of birth or privilege.

• Napoleon crowned himself emperor with divine right and hereditary laws reinstated

• Creation of a new constitution that was approved by the people

Multiple Choice

Which of the following aspects of the Napoleonic Code would the French Revolutionaries most likely AGREE with?

• Reinstatement of Slavery in the French Colonies

• Disillusion of women's rights

• Universal tax system regardless of social class

• Absolute dictatorship based on divine right

• A series of costly mistakes led to the downfall of Napoleon

• Costly wars, failed invasion of Russia

• French soldiers killed during the Napoleonic Wars

• Napoleon is captured then exiled (he came back, then exiled again)
  

1814-Napoleon at Fontainebleau, 31 March, 1814- first abdication (giving up throne)

Napoleon:
big 3 mistakes

Mistake #1: The Continental System (1806)

Despite conquering much of Europe, Napoleon never defeated Britain. Geographically, Britain is an island. Beginning in 1806, Napoleon hoped to blockade, or surround Britain with ships, to prevent trade. This was a failure because the British navy was strong enough to resist, and other European nations did not like being told whom they could trade with. Many illegally traded with Great Britain anyway.

Multiple Choice

Why was the Continental System a failure for Napoleon?

• The British navy was too powerful for France

• Other countries wanted to trade with Britain

• Britain was an industrial powerhouse

• All of the above

Mistake #2: The Peninsular Wars 1808-1814

Napoleon controlled Spain but wanted to control the entire Iberian Peninsula, including Portugal. He marched his soldiers through the peninsula and attacked.
Napoleon lost much of his army, and never took over Portugal. Napoleon's forces had a hard time combating guerilla warfare, or unorganized ambushes, led by French adversaries (opponents).

Multiple Choice

What is the best definition of guerrilla warfare?"

• fast-moving, small-scale hit and run attacks

• Large scale infantry movements by an army

• "Digging in" trench warfare to stop forward movement

• Total warfare, destroying everything so the enemy cannot use it.

Mistake #3: Invasion of Russia, 1812

• In June of 1812 Napoleon invaded his former ally, Russia.

• Alexander I ordered the land to be burned (called scorched earth policy).

• This destruction of agriculture left Napoleon's army to starve through the harsh Russian winter.

• He lost almost his entire force during the campaign.

Multiple Choice

Which factor contributed to Napoleon's catastrophic loss in the Russian campaign?

• The use of Guerrilla warfare by the Russians

• Harsh weather conditions made worse by the scorched earth policy

• Napoleon ran out of money and could no longer fund the war.

• Russia's advanced weaponry decimated the French Army

Napoleon exiled to St. Helena in 1815

Open Ended

State 2 Positive and 2 Negative aspects of Napoleon: