NAPOLEON Flashcards
(6 cards)
Napoleon’s Consulate (1799-1805)
ONE
Napoleon’s coup d’état finished the Directory and started a period of autocratic and authoritarian rule: the Consulate (1799).
This Corsican was conferred on the Consul title by his military success at the Directory.
He put an end to the previous political instability and promoted economic recovery. He represented the interests of the conservative bourgeoisie.
The Constitution of 1800
In 1800 he enacted a Constitution:
* No separation of powers (executive and legislative controlled by Napoleon)
* No declaration of rights
* Censorship to limit freedom of speech
* Fake universal male suffrage; limited census suffrage in reality.
Napoleon’s Consulate (1799-1805)
TWO
- The State was divided into departments ruled by prefects.
- State schools (lycées) were created and promoted for an élite.
- Napoleon allowed the exiles to come back France.
- He signed an agreement with the Church called concordat.
- He enacted a civil code for all the citizens (1804)
- He also published a commercial code, created the Bank of France and printed new bank notes.
Napoleonic Empire (1804-1815)
Napoleon was crowned Emperor by the Pope in 1804.
* He had already started his conquests a year before with his “Grande Armée” (almost 1 million men army).
* 1805: Napoleon won over Austria and Russia at Austerlitz.
* 1808: French army invaded Spain after cheating the king Charles IV(excuse: invasion of Portugal and its sharing out). Napoleon’s brother, Joseph, was crowned the new king.
* 1811: Zenith of the Napoleonic Empire: French hegemony in Europe.
NAPOLEON’S DEFEAT
ONE
Napoleonic military campaigns sparked 2 types of reactions:
* End of absolute monarchies and manorial rights: Support of liberals.
* Anti-French feeling due to the violence and submission to French interests.
Resistance movements in countries as Spain (guerrilla), Poland, Germany, Italy….
NAPOLEN’S DEFEAT
TWO
- Napoleon failed his invasión of Russia in 1808.
- In Spain there were several insurrections against the King Joseph Bonaparte: Bailén -1808, 1st Napoleon’s defeat-, Arapiles- 1812.
- In 1815 Napoleon was defeated in Waterloo by Great Britain and Prussia. Napoleon abdicated.
- He died in the exile on the island of Saint Helena in1821.
