Key Terms – Napoleonic Era

1. Moscow Battle of Nations Elba Louis XVII Battle of Waterloo Grand Alliance St. Helena Key Terms – Napoleonic Era • Napoleon • Napoleonic Code of Laws • Concordat of 1801 • The Continental System • Trade Embargo • Guerilla Warfare • Alexander I

2. Napoleon, Emperor of France(1769-1821) • Napoleon → first emperor of modern France, removed the Directory, attempted to establish a French empire. • Napoleon began as a decorated general in the army, was tasked with breaking up rioters at the palace in Paris • Would fire cannons to scare off the French and would be commended and given power for it. • Would endow himself with titles until he named himself Emperor.

3. Napoleonic Reforms • Napoleonic Code of Laws → establishes the paternal household, a new set of business laws, and provided religious freedom • Concordat of 1801 → established Catholicism as the national religion of France but maintained its diminutized power • Ended the Reign of Terror and removed the remainder of Directory officials

4. The Continental System • Napoleon would begin to slowly move into neighboring countries and subduing them with his French army. • Any countries he controlled he would force to enter the Continental System. • Continental System → massive trade block or embargo that prevented countries from trading with France.

5. Effects of the Continental System • The Continental System would generate ire in countries that were subjected to it. • Weakened those economies • Forced them to find other avenues to acquire the goods the British provided • Sowed the seeds of rebellion among the countries under its control • Served as a trade embargo → block of trade • The British would prevent the French from establishing an Atlantic Blockade by winning the Battle of Trafalgar → naval battle that prevented the French from establishing complete control of European trade.

6. Issues with Spain • Napoleon would attempt to install his brother Joseph as king of Spain. • The Spanish would refuse and engage in a small war with France. • The French would be overmatched, even with their large numbers by guerilla warfare. • Guerilla Warfare → hit and run tactics making effective use of the environment

7. Alexander I - Alexander I → czar of Russia during the Napoleonic Era - Alexander would begin to instruct his merchants and officials to smuggle goods from Britain. - This act was in clear violation of the Continental System and led Napoleon to make the decision to invade Russia.

8. Invasion of Russia - Napoleon would lead 400,000 troops into Russia with plans to occupy and control Moscow. - Alexander I would follow a scorched earth policy and burn his own crops along the way to Moscow. - Napoleon would arrive to an empty and evacuated Moscow. - With no supplies, Napoleon was forced to retreat.

9. Battle of Nations - During Napoleon's retreat, he was attacked by the Russian troops who were following him and was forced into Leipzig, Germany. - A coalition of armies awaited him in the town square and after much fighting, he would surrender and be forced into exile to the island of Elba.

10. Battle of Waterloo - Napoleon would be freed by the French from the island of Elba. - In the meantime, Louis XVII was placed in power during his absence. - Napoleon would depose Louis XVII and ready his troops for another war with his rival nations.

11. Battle of Waterloo - Napoleon would engage the Grand Alliance in the Battle of Waterloo. - Napoleon would earn early victories but would halt his advance due to rain. - His halt allowed the other nations to recover and defeat him. - He would be exiled again to the island of St. Helena.