5.5 Napoleon's Rise, Rule, and Fall

Napoleon's Rise to Power

Napoleon Bonaparte gained fame as a general during the French Revolutionary Wars, then seized power in the 1799 coup of 18 Brumaire, ending the Directory. He became First Consul, then crowned himself Emperor in 1804. He used a plebiscite to legitimize his rule, blending revolutionary rhetoric with authoritarian control.

Napoleon's Domestic Reforms

Napoleon consolidated revolutionary gains through the Napoleonic Code, which established legal equality, protected property rights, but restricted women's rights and reinforced patriarchal authority. He centralized administration, created the Bank of France, reformed education with lycées, and made peace with the Church via the Concordat of 1801, stabilizing France after years of upheaval.

Napoleon's Fall

Napoleon's empire expanded across Europe via military conquest, spreading nationalism and the Code, but overreach led to collapse. The Continental System (economic blockade of Britain) failed and hurt allies. The disastrous 1812 invasion of Russia devastated his army. Defeated at the Battle of Leipzig (1813) and exiled to Elba, he briefly returned (the Hundred Days) before final defeat at Waterloo (1815).

Key terms

Coup of 18 Brumaire

1799 coup in which Napoleon overthrew the Directory and became First Consul of France.

Napoleonic Code

Legal code establishing civil equality and property rights for men, while restricting women's legal rights.

Concordat of 1801

Agreement between Napoleon and the Pope restoring the Catholic Church in France under state control.

Continental System

Napoleon's economic blockade aiming to cripple Britain's trade; ultimately failed and alienated allies.

Battle of Waterloo (1815)

Final battle where Napoleon was decisively defeated, ending his rule permanently.

Try an AP-style question

Napoleon is often seen as both…

1. a democrat and a socialist leader
2. a preserver and betrayer of the Revolution
3. a pacifist and a quiet monk
4. a Bourbon king and a Catholic pope