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The Myth of Napoleon's Height: Facts and Historical Context

Despite popular belief, Napoleon Bonaparte was not the short figure history has painted him to be. Measured at approximately 5'6.5", he was taller than average for his time in France. The misconception stems from a mix of measurement errors and his stature beside his notably tall Imperial Guard. This article explores Napoleon's rise from obscurity to power, his military campaigns, and the impact of his reign on France and Europe, including the establishment of the Napoleonic Code and his role in the evolution of European governance.

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The Myth of Napoleon's Height: Facts and Historical Context

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  1. NAPOLEON

  2. A myth about his height… • Our book says 5’6” and that is about right • Reports of 5’2” were published at his death when he was measured for his coffin. • But a French “foot” was 1.067877 of an English foot, or a bit longer… • Converted Napoleon was actually 5’ 6.5”, slightly taller than average in France • But he was often shorter than the tall men hired for his Imperial Guard, which reinforced the myth.

  3. At a salon in Paris, 1787, Jacques-Louis David showed his Death of Socrates

  4. By Jacques-Louis David Sketch: Marie Antoinette on her way to the Guillotine The Death of Marat

  5. Unfinished Portrait of Napoleon in 1798

  6. What does Jacques-Louis David think of Napoleon? Why? 5 versions done; Original on right.

  7. 1795-1799OBSCURITY TO MASTERY • October 5, 1795…(or 13 Vendmaire…) • Defends government from troops sympathetic to monarch • 1796: Bonaparte appointed to lead the French army • against Austria and Sardinia • swift victories in Italy; • control of Italy and Switzerland • 1797: Treaty ends the fighting on land - temporarily • But British Navy still fights on • Bonaparte went after Britain by attacking Egypt • failure, but he returned a hero

  8. 1795-1799 continuedOBSCURITY TO MASTERY • November 10, 1799…(19 Brumaire)..coup d’etat • Year 7 • The Directory is declared corrupt • With military force, he takes over chamber of legislature • Napoleon named one of 3 consuls • Called the Consulate • Assumes dictatorial power as 1st consul • 1800- plebescite held

  9. JOSEPHINE • Born in Martinique • First married Vicomte Alexandre de Beauharnais • 2 children, Eugene and Hortense • Imprisoned and widowed during the Terror • A “socialite without equal” • Met and married the young Napoleon in 1796 • She had requested the sword of her husband

  10. THE CONSULATE of Napoleon1799-1804 • Peace with the Church • Condordat of of 1801 • Dominant church recognized • Freedom of worship for Hugeonots and Jews • Govt would keep most lands taken during Terror • Govt would appoint French bishops • Church could appoint all priests without interference • Napoleon brings victory and peace • 2nd Coalition: Britain , Austria, Russia forms in 1799 • What’s a coalition? • Napoleon wins great victories in Austrian Italy • Peace of Amiens 1802

  11. Domestic policies • Invited nobles and others who’d fled back • Centralization of government • Reorganization of complex law codes • Reorganization of education • extensive system of public schools • good propaganda for Napoleon • New central bank: Banque de France • balanced budget • Curbs inflation • Strengthened agriculture • Stimulated commerce

  12. NAPOLEONIC CODE • Gave France a single set of laws • Abolished the 3 estates of the old regime • Equality under the law • Catholic Church recognized • Religious liberty • But Limited some previously gained liberty • Censorship of newspapers • Women lost right to own property • Slavery restored in French colonies • Church never gets it lands back from govt

  13. A Plebescite makes Napoleon Consul for Life • By 1802, Napoleon could see people were happy for the stability he promised • hungry for more order • Plebescite or vote on a yes or no vote

  14. 1804 Another Plebescite Makes Napoleon EMPEROR

  15. December 2, 1804

  16. THE EMPIRE:1804-1814 • Napoleon dominated Europe • Takes over much of Italy • Puts puppet government in Switzerland • British declare war again in 1803 • 3rd Coalition forms: Britain, Russia, Austria, Sweden and Prussia…1805 • Battles: Austerlitz December 1805…Austria made peace • …Jena October 1806…French troops in Berlin, Prussia • …Friedland June 180…Treaty of Tilsit gives France domination of Poland • Mastery over most of Europe • Ended the Holy Roman Empire

  17. NAPOLEON Places SIBLINGS into positions of power… • Joseph…King of Naples and Spain • Louis , King of Holland • Lucien, Prince of Canino

  18. More of Napoleon’s Siblings Pauline Borghese Jerome, King of Westphalia Caroline, Queen of Naples Elise

  19. THE NEED FOR AN HIER • Divorced Josephine in 1809 • Married Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria 1810 • Only child born in 1811

  20. War on Britain: The CONTINENTAL SYSTEM • Sea: Battle of Trafalgar: loss in 1805 meant that Napoleon could not defeat British navy • British admiral Horatio Nelson…Trafalgar Square in London • Economic blockade • Supposed to make Europe self sufficient • Smuggling • Weakened economies across Europe • British used impressment and stopped neutral merchant ships • War of 1812 declared by United States

  21. Trafalgar Square: The Heart of London today… New Years celebrations in London center here, like our Times Square…what is Times Square named for? The Nelson Column National Gallery

  22. SPAIN 1808-1813

  23. The PENINSULAR WAR • Napoleon tried to make brother Joseph King of Spain • Guerilla warfare • Lost 300,000 soldiers • NATIONALISM becoming a powerful weapon against Napoleon • French Revolutionary ideas backfire

  24. RUSSIA 1812 • Napoleon’s disastrous mistake • 420,000 troops enter Russia…

  25. Czar Alexander ordersScorched Earth! Moscow burns….

  26. December 1812…Only 10,000 get out still fit to fight; another 90,000 are hurt; 300,000 dead

  27. THE GRAND ALLIANCE • Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria, Sweden • Napoleon defeated • October 1813: Battle of Leipzig • Napoleon’s empire crumbled • April 1814: exile to Elba

  28. HUNDRED DAYSMARCH-JUNE 1815 • Napoleon’s escape from Elba • Enthusiastic welcome from French people • Louis XVIII, brother of guillotined king, fled

  29. WATERLOO: His last battle June 15, 1815

  30. Island of St Helena1815-1821

  31. THE INVALIDESNAPOLEON’S TOMB

  32. Napoleon’s legacy continued to influence the course of European history • 1. consolidated some of the gains of the French Revolution • 2. carried the ideas of the revolution across Europe • 3. remade the map of Europe • 4. stimulated the growth of NATIONALISM • 5. the “Napoleonic legend”: French history marked by struggles among 3 groups • Bonapartists…one strong man should govern • Monarchists…favor a king… • Democrats: People seeking to establish a democratic republic

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