Crash Course European History: Napoleon and the French Revolution

Introduction

• Revolution: originally means a 360-degree turn; in history, signifies radical change.
• The French Revolution: both a return to and divergence from absolutist government.
• Resulted in long-lasting change and the rise of the concept of citizenship.

Napoleon Bonaparte

• Background: Born in Corsica, poor family; scholarship to military academy.
• Rising in Ranks: Second lieutenant in 1785; brigadier general by 24.

Egyptian Campaign

• Objective: Disrupt British access to India.
• Outcome: Defeated by British and Egyptians; returned to France in 1799.

Rise to Power

• Political Changes:
  • Overthrew the Directory in 1799.
  • Became First Consul and then Consul for Life (1802), Emperor (1804).
• Religious Policies: Concordat of 1801 with the Catholic Church.
• Public Support: Used plebiscite for political legitimacy.

Governance and Reforms

• Roman Imagery: Emulated Roman Empire to justify rule.
• Napoleonic Code (1804): Standardized laws of citizenship, family, property.
  • Economic modernization, but curtailed women's rights.
• Education:
  • Founded schools for engineering, science, technology.
  • Lycées (high schools) established.
  • Influenced global legal and educational systems.

Empire Expansion

• Military Campaigns:
  • Conquered parts of Central Europe.
  • Defeated Austria (Battle of Austerlitz, 1805), Prussia (1806), Russia (1807).
• End of Holy Roman Empire
• Imposed Reforms: Standardization, metric system, religious toleration.

Nationalism and Resistance

• Opposition: Nationalism grew in conquered territories.
• Spanish Campaign:
  • Installed brother Joseph as king; faced resistance.
  • British support for Spanish resistance, led by Duke of Wellington.

Russian Campaign

• Invasion of Russia (1812):
  • Grand army of 600,000–700,000 men.
  • Scorched earth tactics by Russians; costly victory at Borodino.
  • Retreat from Moscow; heavy losses.
  • Only 40,000 returned to Poland.

Downfall

• Defeat and Exile:
  • Defeated by coalition at Leipzig (1813).
  • Exiled to Elba; returned for Hundred Days.
  • Final defeat at Waterloo (1815); exiled to St. Helena.

Legacy

• Impact:
  • Napoleonic Code and educational reforms influenced global systems.
  • Cultural and military achievements; museums filled with looted artifacts.
  • Inspirational figure despite dictatorship; legacy endures.

Conclusion

• Significance: Period marked by military and cultural glory, modernization.
• "We've got the emperor in our guts": Napoleon's enduring influence.