Napoleon_Bonaparte

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__Summary:__
Feared yet greatly respected, Napoleon Bonaparte stood as one of the most influential despots of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Through his strategic and careful planning, Bonaparte introduced many reforms that still prevail to some extent in modern day France. He maintained a hold over the citizens of his country when he bettered conditions for the bourgeoisie by furthering the rights prescribed to them by the Declaration of Rights of Man, a document issued during the French Revolution. When he effectuated the Civil Code of 1804, Napoleon protected private property and ended privileges based on birth (McGuire 2-15). Napoleon also extended his influence in other countries, one example being Egypt with the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, "Named for the city in northern Egypt where Napoleon's troops found it in 1799, the Rosetta Stone enabled scholars to decipher the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics for the first time" (McGuire 45).

**//Religious Reform//** Napoleon successfully limited the influence of the Catholic Church when he issued the Concordat of 1801, an agreement with Pope Pius VII that gave French Catholics the right to worship. However, it also said that the state would pay the salaries of the clergy. In addition, the pope was forced to accept the republic of France and recognize that the land seized from the Church during the French Revolution would not be returned. Napoleon also granted freedom of religion to Jews and French Calvinists, Huguenots, through the Sanhedrin (Obstfeld 35-38).

//**Economic Reform**// Napoleon initiated the Bank of France, which allowed French governmental expenditures to be managed more attentively. French infrastructure significantly improved under Napoleonic rule as well, through the establishment of new roads and sewer systems. Economic reform was also introduced by Napoleon through the continental system. However, it proved to be unsuccessful, "The Continental System, which he had designed to reduce England's economic influence and to create more demand for French goods, was ineffective" (Obstfeld 26). The arrangement favored France, as it stopped England from importing and exporting goods from their country by blocking out their seaports. Napoleon also took control of the countries that he ruled directly and indirectly when he ceased their trade with England as well (Obstfeld 26, 72-74). ="Even when I am gone, I shall remain in people's minds the star of their rights, my name will be the war cry of their efforts, the motto of their hopes." -- Napoleon Bonaparte =

__Timeline of Events:__
(Obsteld 187-191, McGuire 109, 65)
 * 1769** - Napoleon Bonaparte is born in Ajaccio, the capital of the island of Corsica. Napoleon is the fourth out of eight children, but was also the second to survive. Charles, Napoleon's father, secures a job as deputy for the nobility. He, along with Napoleon and his eldest son Joseph, move to France.
 * 1779** – Napoleon attends military academy at Brienne in France. He does not excel in school, but has a passion for history and geography.
 * 1785** – Napoleon graduates from the Royal Military School in Paris and becomes a lieutenant.
 * 1789** – The French Revolution begins.
 * 1796** – Napoleon marries Josephine de Beauharnais.
 * 1801** – The Concordat, an agreement between Napoleon and Pope Pius VII is signed. It gives French Catholics the right to practice religion freely.
 * 1802** – Napoleon becomes president of the Republic of Italy.
 * 1804** – Napoleon declares himself emperor in the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, France.
 * 1804** – Napoleon issues the Civil Code of 1804, which gives equality to all male citizens before the law and the secures wealth and private property.
 * 1814** – Napoleon abdicates the thrown of France and is exiled to the island of Elba.
 * 1815** – Napoleon escapes from Elba and returns to France, where he takes charge of the army.
 * 1815** – Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, where he abdicates and surrenders to the British.
 * 1815** – Napoleon is again exiled, this time to St. Helena.
 * 1821** – Napoleon Bonaparte dies on May 5, 1821.

>
 * ~ Social || * Napoleon was religiously tolerant. He allowed both French Huguenots and Jews to practice their religion freely (Obstfeld 72).
 * Under Napoleonic rule, women had limited freedom and were considered inferior to men (BioRC).
 * The Civil Code of 1804, issued by Napoleon, gave men equality before the law (McGuire 59).
 * Napoleon officially recognized the structure of the educational system because he believed it would be beneficial to society as a whole (Obstfeld 22).
 * Napoleon was given the title of "Consul for Life" due to consensus by the majority of French voters (Obstfeld 23). ||
 * ~ Political || * Utilizing his absolute power as a dictator, Napoleon censored the press and had a secret police that enforced his laws (McGuire 61).
 * Napoleon ruled France and conquered vast areas under the title of Emperor, including the Louisiana Territory in America that Louis XV had given to Spain. (Galenet, Obstfeld 109).
 * Napoleon was forced to abdicate from his thrown of power in 1814 because his empire was collapsing due to his power being stretched out too far (Galenet).
 * Napoleon utilized propaganda that over-exaggerated his accomplishments and undermined his faults (Obstfeld 118).
 * Napoleon was appointed commander of the Army of Italy in March of 1796 (BioRC). ||
 * ~ Economic || * Napoleon was hired by King Louis XVI to deal with the financially distressed government shortly before the outbreak of revolution (BioRC).
 * Napoleon engaged in many wars that he ultimately won, which expanded the empire and increased French revenue (Galenet).
 * Set up The Continental System as an economic plan for the continent of Europe (Obstfeld 97).
 * Napoleon sold Louisiana territory owned by the French to America, because he felt that the money from the sale would be useful to the economy (Obstfeld 114).
 * Napoleon ran out of French funds, so he taxed the Egyptians heavily, which caused resentment toward the French (McGuire 46). ||

**(McGuire 2-15)** ||~ ||
 * ~ __** Embedded Technology **__ ||~ ||
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=__**Quick Quiz**__= Since you have now finished learning about despot Napoleon Bonaparte and his influential position in eighteenth and nineteenth century France, take this quick quiz to evaluate exactly what you have learned!

[|Napoleon Bonaparte I]

__Pictures:__ (in order of appearance)  http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3223642382_de35db0990.jpg?v=0 http://flickr.com/photos/edgley_cesar/2371054047/ [|http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/2948845217_a864acd3b9.jpg?v=0] [|http://www.english.upenn.edu/Projects/knarf/Gifs/napoleon.gif]  [|http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3127/3200670828_0d58e60950.jpgv=0]

__Works Cited:__ Gale Research. "Napoleon I Bonaparte." __Historic World Leaders__ (1994). __Biography Resource Center__. Gale. Upper Merion Area High School Library. 19 Feb. 2009 

McGuire, Leslie. __Napoleon__. New York: Chelsea House, 1986.

__Napoleon Bonaparte__. Ed. Raymond Obstfeld and Loretta Obstfeld. San Diego: Greenhaven, 2001

Student Resource Center - Gold. "Napoleon is crowned Emperor of the French: December 2nd, 1804." __History Today__ (Dec. 2004). __General Reference Center__. Gale. Upper Merion Area High School Library. 19 Feb. 2009 