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Question 1

When did France dominate Europe and create the Grand Empire?

Answer 1

1804

Question 2

When did the Empire reach its greatest extent?

Answer 2

By 1811.

Question 3

What was the population of the Empire at its height?

Answer 3

80 million.

Question 4

What did the Empire consist of?

Answer 4

France up to its natural frontiers (Alps, Pyrenees, Rhine River) including Belgium.

Question 5

What happened in 1791 regarding France’s frontiers?

Answer 5

France annexed Belgium (as Danton wanted).

Question 6

What treaty confirmed France’s annexations by 1808?

Answer 6

Treaty of Pressburg.

Question 7

How many departments did France have by 1811?

Answer 7

130 departments.

Question 8

What was the population of the annexed territories?

Answer 8

44 million.

Question 9

What was the purpose of the satellite states?

Answer 9

To protect the empire against invasion.

Question 10

Why did Napoleon create the Empire?

Answer 10

To create a universal empire of national states under France.

Question 11

What were some examples of satellite states?

Answer 11

Kingdom of Italy (1808) Confederation of the Rhine (1807), Duchy of Warsaw.

Question 12

How did the Empire strengthen Napoleon’s power?

Answer 12

It built on revolutionary reforms and expanded French influence.

Question 13

How was the French government structure applied in annexed states?

Answer 13

Prefects and departments implemented French laws (Civil Code, concrodat)

Question 14

What happened to feudalism in annexed states?

Answer 14

It was abolished and property was redistributed.

Question 15

What social change happened in annexed states?

Answer 15

Serfdom was abolished and subjects gained civil rights.

Question 16

Why were some annexed states unsuccessful?

Answer 16

French taxation and conscription were widely rejected.

Question 17

Who mostly benefited from the Empire’s reforms?

Answer 17

Urban and bourgeoisie classes.

Question 18

What was an example of an annexed state with limited change?

Answer 18

Piedmont (feudalism already abolished before French arrival).

Question 19

What was the impact of timing on French influence in annexed states?

Answer 19

Earlier annexations (e.g. Belgium) had more time for change than later ones.

Question 20

What were some progressive reforms in annexed states?

Answer 20

No one above the law, religoius tolleration

Question 21

What were satellite states used for?

Answer 21

Military support (troops and supplies).

Question 22

How did Prussia suffer from being a satellite state?

Answer 22

After Tilsit, Prussia had to feed 100,000 French troops, leading to bankruptcy.

Question 23

How was the Kingdom of Italy’s economy affected?

Answer 23

It was ruined by military demands and high taxes.

Question 24

How many inhabitants paid annual taxes in satellite states from 1806?

Answer 24

6 million people paid 1.5 million livres.

Question 25

What was the Duchy of Warsaw’s attitude towards French reforms?

Answer 25

Kept feudalism and serfdom.

Question 26

How did Jewish tolerance provoke resistance?

Answer 26

Some saw it as an attack on their faith.

Question 27

Where was Jewish toleration suspended for 10 years?

Answer 27

Grand Duchy of Warsaw in 1808.

Question 28

When did Bavaria grant Jewish rights?

Answer 28

Not until 1813.

Question 29

Why did Napoleon’s relatives sometimes resist his policies?

Answer 29

They refused to enforce the Civil Code or the Continental Blockade.

Question 30

Give an example of Napoleon’s relative who resisted reforms.

Answer 30

Murat replaced Joseph in Naples in 1800 because Joseph refused the Civil Code.

Question 31

Why was Louis problematic as a ruler?

Answer 31

He refused conscription and the Continental Blockade in Holland (1806).

Question 32

What was the Continental Blockade?

Answer 32

An economic attack on Britain through trade restrictions.

Question 33

When was the blockade made official?

Answer 33

Berlin and Milan Decrees (1808).

Question 34

How did the blockade affect Belgium?

Answer 34

Textile industry boomed.

Question 35

How did the blockade affect Piedmont?

Answer 35

Suffered due to competition from Lyon.

Question 36

How did the Continental System affect satellite states?

Answer 36

One-sided tariffs favored France

Question 37

What was the impact on farmers in satellite states?

Answer 37

They could only sell grain to France at low prices.

Question 38

What did smuggling show about the blockade?

Answer 38

It was widespread and undermined the policy.

Question 39

What were the strengths of using the gendarmerie?

Answer 39

Reinforced central authority

Question 40

What were the weaknesses of using the gendarmerie?

Answer 40

Resisted by locals as oppressive; failed in Spain.

Question 41

How did Napoleon’s economic policies raise revenue?

Answer 41

Unified taxes

Question 42

What positive effects did tax reforms have in Italy?

Answer 42

Tax revenue increased by 50% between 1805 and 1811.

Question 43

How did Belgium benefit from the Continental System?

Answer 43

Textiles thrived without British competition.

Question 44

What negative effect did the Continental System have on manufacturing?

Answer 44

Prevented imports of British technology; silk industry collapsed.

Question 45

Why did Lombardy and Piedmont’s silk industry decline?

Answer 45

Raw silk had to be sent to Lyon in France.

Question 46

What was the impact on Genoa’s trade?

Answer 46

Lost trade to Nice.

Question 47

Why did peasant uprisings happen in Spain (1808)?

Answer 47

Napoleon’s seizure of the Pope, Concordat of 1801, and ending of tithes.

Question 48

Why did some oppose Jewish emancipation?

Answer 48

They saw a central Jewish council in Paris as an attack on faith.

Question 49

What was the impact of conscription on the Grand Empire?

Answer 49

High losses: e.g. Berry’s 50k population gave 5k men; 600k from Westphalia.

Question 50

What was the impact of French armies living off the land?

Answer 50

Destruction of crops, killing of animals, seizure of buildings for shelter