Download NAPOLEON BUILDS AN EMPIRE Napoleon Comes into Power

 His military prowess allowed him to come
into power
 The Revolution sets the stage for his rise
 Napoleon crowns himself
Emperor in 1804
 Wanted to control Europe
and the Americas
 Ends the French Revolution
 Establishes himself as the central
power, an Emperor
 Keeps some of the changes that
happened during the Revolution but
limits peoples’ rights
 A nearly-worldwide empire including
Louisiana, Florida, French Guiana and the
French West Indies
 The inhabitants of this French
colony, influenced by the
French Revolution, demanded
their rights
 African slaves demanded their
freedom
 Civil War broke out
 French lost
 Napoleon cuts his losses, sells the Louisiana
Territory to Thomas Jefferson for 4¢ an acre
Gave France more money
Punished the British
“This sale assures forever the power of the United
States. And I have given England a rival who,
sooner or later, will humble her pride.”
 Napoleon crushed the opposition around
Europe
 Built the largest European empire since the
Romans
The only areas free from France’s control
were Britain, Portugal, Sweden and the
Ottoman Empire
Many other countries were puppet
governments
Essentially controlled by Napoleon
Only lasted 5 years
 British convinced Russia, Austria and
Sweden to join them in fighting Napoleon
 Napoleon crushed the opposition in a series
of battles
 Annexed Austrian Netherlands, parts of Italy and
France
 Wanted to expand further
 Britain, Russia, Austria and Sweden banded together
to fight him
Napoleon did lose one important battle:
The Battle of Trafalgar
Naval defeat off coast of Spain
British commander split larger French fleet
Significance: Destruction of the French navy
ensured the domination of the British navy and
prevented Napoleon from invading Britain
 Napoleon was obsessed with
bringing down England
 Implemented the continental
system
This involved a blockade between Europe and
Britain
A blockade forces ports to close
Supposed to make Europe more self-sufficient
But…smugglers transported goods anyway
Superiority of British navy
Not all European countries cooperated fully
Led Britain to impose a blockade of France which
was effective and weakened France
Also leads England into the War of 1812 with
U.S.
Peninsular War
Napoleon tried to get Portugal and Spain
to accept the Continental System by force
When Spanish protested, Napoleon
replaced the Spanish king by putting his
brother Joseph on the throne
 Spaniards respond with guerilla tactics
 This tactic proved very effective against
the French – they lost 300,000 soldiers
1. How did Napoleon rise to power? Describe
at least three reasons why he was successful.
2. What areas did Napoleon gain control over?